Community Forums

profdan · 11-15-2022, 05:57 PM

Fairly often, we pull into a campground space, only to discover that the nose of the trailer is just a little low, because of the way the pad is graded.

Rather than unhitch the trailer and raise the nose with the jack (which we prefer to avoid when we're just overnighting), here is an easier alternative: just raise the back of the tow vehicle by putting Lynx Levelers or some wood under the rear tires.

It's simple, but it works, as long as the nose is not way too low.

carybosse · 11-15-2022, 06:06 PM

Other option is to not unhook trailer but just raise the tongue jack a bit. I do that anyway when I am hooking up my WD hitch.

I would always disconnect the 7-pin. On my truck it is always live and could drain the truck battery.

profdan · 11-15-2022, 06:21 PM

Good point about the 7 pin -- I usually leave it connected when we are just overnighting, but not if it will drain the battery!!

carybosse · 11-15-2022, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profdan

Good point about the 7 pin -- I usually leave it connected when we are just overnighting, but not if it will drain the battery!!

Some trucks do not stay hot after the key is off. My Canyon was live with key off and I believe my Silverado is hot, but I have never put a meter on it.

Souljourner · 11-16-2022, 06:10 AM

I also prefer to keep my tow vehicle hooked to my TT - even when staying in one place for several days. I have raised the tongue jack when the need is minimal but have always wondered - how much is too much to raise the tongue when still hooked to the tow vehicle?

I like your suggestion, ProfDan, to raise the tow vehicle instead, and will definitely keep that in mind for future trips.

TandW · 11-16-2022, 07:31 AM

Give your TV suspension a break and use the trailer jack.

tuffr2 · 11-16-2022, 08:59 AM

I will just raise the trailer jack. Who cares if it takes all the weight off the truck or not. I even raise it a little past natural if needed. Else I will just disconnect from the truck if it gets too out of wack.

carybosse · 11-16-2022, 09:37 AM

I am also trying to decide what stresses are placed on the truck/trailer if you are leaving the WD hitch attached, but raising the rear tires. I guess that does relieve some of the WD forces, if the picture in my head is correct.

Marine359 · 11-16-2022, 02:09 PM

If it’s off level front to back so much that raising the tongue jack un-weights the truck rear axle, and lifts the rear end, we don’t do it for fear of damaging the tongue jack. Instead, we just pull the truck rear wheels up onto our elliptical levelers, and remain hitched. No stress or strain on tongue jack.

Nwcid · 11-16-2022, 03:08 PM

As others have said, it depends on how unlevel you are. If you are really unlevel get close with blocks under the rear truck tires.

If you are a little off, use your tongue jack to take the weight off the truck. How much is too much, well I would not put too much on it, the hitch can come off the ball..... I did it once loading a piece of equipment on a utility trailer, glad I had my chains on.

I have done this a lot when puling with my pick up. Most trucks have a couple of inches of drop when you put the trailer weight on it.

I do not do this with my HDT though. I will only stay hooked up if the trailer is level with the air out of my airbags. I am not willing to risk hanging 8500lbs off of my trailer.

Souljourner · 11-16-2022, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine359

If it’s off level front to back so much that raising the tongue jack un-weights the truck rear axle, and lifts the rear end, we don’t do it for fear of damaging the tongue jack. Instead, we just pull the truck rear wheels up onto our elliptical levelers, and remain hitched. No stress or strain on tongue jack.

Silly question - if you raise the rear of your tow vehicle to make the camper more level, do you then put down your tongue jack to stabilize your camper?

profdan · 11-16-2022, 10:58 PM

Not a silly question at all! If we can stay hitched up, we do not need stabilizers. The hitch ball stabilizes the trailer.

Marine359 · 11-17-2022, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souljourner

Silly question - if you raise the rear of your tow vehicle to make the camper more level, do you then put down your tongue jack to stabilize your camper?

Tongue jacks not used when truck is lifted. We do put down rear stabilizers, and use X-chocks to reduce the wiggle.

Scott 3 · 11-17-2022, 07:01 AM

I disconnect the 7 pin overnight just to make sure. If I need to plug into shore power I always disconnect the 7 pin first or reconnect it last after shore power is pulled in case the electronics fail and there is a power surge.

If I stay connected I chock my rear truck tire instead of my TT as a reminder in the morning that I stayed connected and to make sure I disconnect/reconnect.