willald wrote:
The more you extend your leveling jacks, the less stable the RV will feel inside. This is especially true if you lift high enough to bring a wheel or two off the ground.
On the flipside, the less you extend the jacks (use more blocks), the more rock solid it will feel inside.
Next time before you deploy the jacks, try putting some large blocks under your jacks before extending them, so they don't have to extend as far. If you have to lift enough to take a tire off the ground, drive that tire, side up on blocks first to prevent such.
You may well find that using more blocks and raising the jacks less, results in a more stable RV inside. I have.
Tires help provide lateral stability when parked, so the more weight you keep on them when parked, the more stable, solid the RV will feel. Thats why its not a good idea to lift one off the ground unless absolutely necessary.
Yes, diesel pushers have an advantage when it comes to leveling, since they can dump air and bring the coach down very low before extending jacks to level. End result from this means that the coach sits lower, jacks not having to extend as far. Thats why they can be more stable when parked.
I've found over the years, that people frequently get very lazy when it comes to leveling, when they move up to a Motorhome. Its as if the leveling blocks they used for years without a problem with towable RVs, suddenly become something they just HATE to have to use. Don't be that way, haha. :)
This answer, without a doubt, is by far, one of the most accurate answers to any given leveling situation out there, in the real world. I applaud all of it. The only thing I might add would be that, if you're intended campsite/RV Pad, is somewhat un-level to begin with, then I'd drive up on some wood, i.e. blocks, plywood pads, combination blocks, anything that you can carry that would help in this situation.
The topic of leveling always sparks at least some "squabbling" in minor debates. Some have no issue lifting tires off the ground and, some don't.
To Goldencrazy,
Your procedure is spot on. Get level, then slides out, then, if need, slight adjustment of leveling due to "weight tipping" caused by slides extension. Some coaches will feel no effect if and when a slide or, multiple slides are extended AFTER the coach is leveled. Some, will feel quite a bit. Much of that depends on coach construction, the jack placement on points inside or, outside of the frame, forward or, rearward of either axel etc.
Yes, as willald stated, many Diesel rigs will be quite a bit more stable due to the dropping of the air bags and, the leveling procedure started at a much lower center of gravity and thus, ending up being level, without the added height. It doesn't always work like that but, I'd say the majority of the time.
Also as willald stated, "Laziness", becomes quite apparent in many cases. Some diesel drivers won't even drop the bags before leveling because of various reasons which, usually go against all the jack makers outlined procedures. That's entirely up to them. It's their coach. Common sense is what should take place in leveling. And yes, primary leveling should be done with the use of the tires and wheels. If that means driving up on blocks/planks etc. to obtain as close to level as possible, then that's what, in my opinion, should be done. I've been doing it that way for decades.
Then, the jacks are used to "fine tune" your finish leveling with minor adjustments and that means, like willald stated, the less they are extended, the better the stability will be. Now, due to the fact that you may have had to drive onto some block to obtain primary leveling, this will mean you will have to install some blocks under the jacks so they don't need to travel/extend so far to do their job.
Some gas coaches, with ALL the tires still on the ground and, the jacks deployed, will still exhibit a slight "rocking". Again, it's the frame, the placement of the jacks, and much more. And some, will feel quite a bit more solid. Good luck.
Scott
