Forum Discussion

mtofell1's avatar
mtofell1
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016

Equal bearing for both sides of landing gear?

My first 5th wheel had separate controls for the landing gear so this was never an issue but my new one is just one switch. How concerned do I need to be about getting both sides of the landing gear to start bearing weight at the same time? I know it's never going to be exactly the same but is using 1/2" plywood scraps enough? As in, worst case scenario one hits 1/2" before the other?

Unless I'm on totally level ground they never hit exactly at the same time. I just don't want to bend or twist anything excessively... but also can't imagine it's necessary to use shims every time I setup either :)
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Feb 15, 2016
    korbe wrote:
    Besides my 1/2" ply, I have one 1/4" shim for the high side. Works great for us.


    I have some 1/2" thinking about creating some 1/4". I know within a 1/2" or so is likely fine, just one more fine tuning item.
  • mbrower's avatar
    mbrower
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    For 7 yrs. we set up/torn down our 5vr weekly.
    I ran driven legs down from travel position a couple of inches then pulled the snap pins letting inner leg fall to ground (12X12 plastic 1/2" cutting boards under each leg)
    Then would run driven legs down letting the pins snap into holes when they lined up and start lifting 5vr.

    For me it was K.I.S.S.


    This is exactly how I do it. Never a problem
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Feb 15, 2016
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    For 7 yrs. we set up/torn down our 5vr weekly.
    I ran driven legs down from travel position a couple of inches then pulled the snap pins letting inner leg fall to ground (12X12 plastic 1/2" cutting boards under each leg)
    Then would run driven legs down letting the pins snap into holes when they lined up and start lifting 5vr.

    For me it was K.I.S.S.


    Same here. 1", or so, difference isn't going to make a lot of difference, IMO.

    Lyle
  • greende's avatar
    greende
    Explorer II
    Feb 15, 2016
    Like most above, I get within 1/2". My front jacks are paired electric.
  • shepstone's avatar
    shepstone
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    I just grab a beer and hit auto level, stand back and watch the show :B , course if something ever went wrong with it I'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.. :(
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    Besides my 1/2" ply, I have one 1/4" shim for the high side. Works great for us.
  • alexleblanc's avatar
    alexleblanc
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    I've not had a 5er fro long, but I just dropped both legs down as close as they could be to the ground, and lowered the jacks even if there's 1/2" of difference I can't see it being a big deal.
  • RustyJC's avatar
    RustyJC
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    If you have hydraulic jacks, they are self-equalizing. That is, if both front jacks (landing gear) are on the same hydraulic circuit, they will each carry the same weight as the hydraulic pressure is the same in both of the jack cylinders. One may or may not touch the ground first, but note that it will immediately stop until the other jack is grounded, then both will extend.

    Rusty
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 15, 2016
    For 7 yrs. we set up/torn down our 5vr weekly.
    I ran driven legs down from travel position a couple of inches then pulled the snap pins letting inner leg fall to ground (12X12 plastic 1/2" cutting boards under each leg)
    Then would run driven legs down letting the pins snap into holes when they lined up and start lifting 5vr.

    For me it was K.I.S.S.
  • MNRon's avatar
    MNRon
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    I also use 1/2" differential (1" and 1.5" boards, landing gear has 1" hole spacing). Hasn't been an issue.

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