leveling

drwwicks: "In addition to a few sections of the 2x8 I also carry a few 1x8 to fine tuned the level. The get used under the tires and jacks when a 2x8 is too thick."

I carry a bunch of lumber with me, pretty much all the time. All are 2x6 or 2x8 boards. I've considered carrying 1x? for some time, but some how just never tossed one in my pile. Probably because everything I'm using is treated lumber and I've been using these same boards for the last 20 years, beginning from my pop-up camper days. Maybe some day I'll finally get a treated 1x? scrap I can toss in my mix.

Meanwhile, I found that with tandem axles, if a 2x? is placed under both tires on one side, and its off just about a 1x? height, I can usually put a 2x? under one tire on top of the longer board under it. This raises one wheel by 2 inches (approximately) and the over all lift on the camper on that side equals to about the 1 inch (half). Anyway, for me, this works pretty well. I suppose if I had the 1x? boards, I could fine tune it to a 1/2 inch variance.

But, I've also found that just tightening the leveling jacks good and tight will atone for that extra 1/2 inch too.

Anyway, this is good advise, carry the 1x? along with you also.

I still say, there is nothing better than good old treated lumber under your tires. Solid, makes a nice foot print, doesn't sink in the ground (especially if parking on grass or dirt, and especially if on dirt or grass and expecting rain). Hallow linkx Lego blocks will require the first layer on the ground to sink an inch as that edge settles into the ground. On pavement it will work OK, but on asphalt, all that weight on those sharp edges, could cause the asphalt to dimple too. That's why I've always stuck with nice heavy lumber. (and yes, I did try the Lego Blocks and didn't like them).

But, we all do it our own way, and there is nothing wrong with that. That's the beauty of this life style, there is no right or wrong, it's just "different" for every person. All we can do is share our experiences and maybe someone will find a different or a more convenient way form them to do it too.

The down side of carrying lumber is the space it requires. But I have no problem with my pick-up truck with the shell on the bed with the side tool boxes with 2 shelves on each side the entire length of the 8 foot shell. That's 32 feet of shelf space. That carries a LOT of lumber that takes no space form the floor of the bed of the truck or the inside of the camper!

To each his own... Happy camping!

In addition to a few sections of the 2x8 I also carry a few 1x8 to fine tuned the level. The get used under the tires and jacks when a 2x8 is too thick.

I've always carried long boards, short boards, and the Andersen Levelers. I used to used the Andersen Levelers exclusively when going on short trips. I always felt that you couldn't beat the simplicity. Then one day, I must have tried those things a dozen times and they wouldn't stay in place, so I haven't used them since. Mainly now I use one long board PLUS short boards on top as needed. I haven't used the Andersens in a long time.

bpounds wrote:

I've never understood why people would carry long pieces. There is no benefit to having a single piece of lumber stretch between tires. Take that same long piece of lumber and cut it into 12" or 16" pieces and they are much more useful and easier to handle.

Short boards are fine on hard ground, but I have them sink on softer ground. They can sink at the time of setup or they can settle a little after setup (which is far more aggravating). If you put down one long board, it isn't as likely to sink, and if it does, you can still have a uniform flat surface to place other boards on for leveling.

I tried the Lynx Levelers, but I never really liked those little circles for the tires to rest on, the flat yellow ones just seemed like they give the tires support over a larger are. But it does seem that the Lynx Levelers are tougher and harder to break. Just in my head, but personal preference.

I use 2x8 boards, each about 12" long as others do. Sometimes a board under each tire on 1 side works, sometimes only 1 under 1 tire is enough. Rarely do I need more but at one particular campground I need 2 boards under each tire on the low side. For this site I have made a step up with 2 boards screwed together. I tried the yellow blocks but have had too many break over the years and wood is usually free.
I have bubble levels moounted at the left front corner of my trailer where the leg control is to determine side to side and front to back leveling.

Here's an article on how to level a trailer:
http://learntorv.com/rv-leveling-is-really-quick-and-easy/

And, my preference of blocks are the LynxLevelers:
http://learntorv.com/lynxlevelers/

I carry about 10 pieces of these. 2 x 8 x about 1 foot long. They happen to be pressure treated, but I don't think that matters. I use them as shown for leveling, and also put them under stabilizer jacks and landing gear when needed.

I've never understood why people would carry long pieces. There is no benefit to having a single piece of lumber stretch between tires. Take that same long piece of lumber and cut it into 12" or 16" pieces and they are much more useful and easier to handle.

DutchmenSport wrote:
Snip...
Yes.... this works as good as any bubble level, and no guessing where level is REALLY level for the bubble to install it oriignally.

Snip...

Yep. Unless the wind is blowing! :W :B

I will park where the trailer is at its most level, and then I use a tri-leveler..
I have a triple axle trailer so I have three of the wedge shaped tri-levelers, but I had to cut the short end off of two of them so that they would fit between the wheels so I could drive up on them, as they were longer than the wheel spacing.

most times I only need one, but sometimes two of them... rarely do I need all three to bring the trailer level.... but I also carry extra blocking that I have had to use when we were reduced to staying in the most unlevel site in a campground...

I used to always use wood blocking, but it often breaks so it needs replenished sometimes, and is always dirty when its is wet or placed on gravel...
I then tried the lynx levelers, but in my opinion, they are too time consuming when setting up and when putting away....
by using only 2 easy to handle and use tri-levelers, I have enough height options about 95% of the time... and if one pays attention to where they park, one tri-leveler will work 70% of the time...

the more axles you have, the harder it is to get level, and the more important it is to have the easiest to use blocking to do it.

On our Montana we used to travel with a 2" X 10" X 5' board, I would lay it down on the "low" side of the trailer and back up onto it. If we needed more correction I would place 2" X 6" chunks under the 5' board to bring us up to level.

Now we have the 6 point level up system and just push a button and watch the trailer do it's thing. :B We LOVE it!

Dan