Forum Discussion

dkuntz's avatar
dkuntz
Explorer
Feb 01, 2020

Store up on leveling jacks?

Just got a 5W, had a TT for 8 years prior to this. I have a concrete pad that my friend is letting me store my trailer on, but it slopes left to right across the trailer when I have it parked on it. None of the manuals talk about how to store a 5W in terms of on tires or on jacks as a best practice. Is it best to use the Auto leveling jacks when in storage and level out the trailer on the jacks? Or leave it on the tires and leave it out of level? The slope is enough that the tires on the right side of the trailer are off the ground when level by 2”. If I store on the jacks, should I push all the jacks up so that all the tires are off the ground so the leaf springs are all out of compression?

Thanks for the help!
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2020
    Auto level is just that, it finds level. Unless you are on tremendously uneven ground, your tires will be on the ground. My opinion is that the more points on the ground the better.
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    Feb 01, 2020
    I have my 40' 5er on a concrete pad most of the year. I have the jacks installed and the RV level. The jacks rest on cut 6X6 wood. The tires rest on plastic place mats so they are separated from the concrete.
  • dkuntz's avatar
    dkuntz
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2020
    DarkSkySeeker wrote:
    Isn't it required to be level for the fridge?


    I never leveled out my TT when in storage. I only leveled out for camping when I was using the appliances. Since the 5W has auto leveling, I’m wondering if I should since the concrete pad sloes 3-4” left to right.
  • Retired_JSO's avatar
    Retired_JSO
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2020
    My concrete pad is broken and uneven after a few years of a Mountain Aire DP. When we got this Cardinal fifth wheel, I put the drivers side tires on 2X8 boards to make it more level side to side. And a 2X8 under all jacks and hit the auto level.
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2020
    Without going in circles, store it like you camp it. My 5th wheel sits for 3 months at the same campsite, technically no different than storing it for 3 months of Winter.
  • ChuckV1's avatar
    ChuckV1
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2020
    Our 5th wheel sits on gravel in the driveway an do not level the trailer unless I have to open the slides ... After doing what I need to do an closing the slides I rise the jacks except for the landing gear ... I do not run the frig when stored so the trailer dozen't have to level as it should when your frig is being used ...

    As stated by OP I use blocks under my levelers when we run into a camp site with unlevel or uneven ground, however I will not use a camp site that is so uneven that I have my tires off the ground even though my leveling jacks can take it I don't feel I need to put that much stress on the jacks nor my trailer frame ...

    Safe Travels :)
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Feb 02, 2020
    AS long as the trailers frame isn't being twisted to get it level that would bo ok.
    I store mine sitting on the tires sitting on different thicknesses of wood blocks from side to side. That the frame isn't in any kind of stress.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Feb 02, 2020
    Super_Dave wrote:
    Without going in circles, store it like you camp it. My 5th wheel sits for 3 months at the same campsite, technically no different than storing it for 3 months of Winter.


    ZACTLY!!!
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Feb 03, 2020
    dkuntz wrote:
    Just got a 5W, had a TT for 8 years prior to this. I have a concrete pad that my friend is letting me store my trailer on, but it slopes left to right across the trailer when I have it parked on it. None of the manuals talk about how to store a 5W in terms of on tires or on jacks as a best practice. Is it best to use the Auto leveling jacks when in storage and level out the trailer on the jacks? Or leave it on the tires and leave it out of level? The slope is enough that the tires on the right side of the trailer are off the ground when level by 2”. If I store on the jacks, should I push all the jacks up so that all the tires are off the ground so the leaf springs are all out of compression?

    Thanks for the help!


    I auto-level my KZ in storage. Why not? Admittedly, my covered storage is pretty level, but if it weren't, I'd still level it. Just cover your tires to help protect them a bit.

    When I have my FW at home, prepping for a trip, I have to add a block under the RR jack or it will run out of travel due to a fairly high crown on our paved street. When I do, the curb-side tires are completely off the ground. What I've noticed is that the LCI auto-level system always seems to level =upwards=, never down. I'd love to have the option of dropping the entire FW down X inches, while level.

    Lyle

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