Ok Let me say this. I am new. I did a search might of put in the wrong words for it to work. I see all the posts what to take and everything else. What about when I get to the park! How do I properly level the travel trailer. basic info it is hooked to a truck (Chevy 1500) Trailer is a (Coachmen Freedom Express) it has one slide out. on the drivers side. Manual jacks in the 4 cornors is there a certain order to put the jacks down? Do I unhook then do everything? Do I put the slideout out first before trying to level? Etc etc Please walk me through what you do when you first pull into the camp ground. Much appreciated. Josh

Pick the site. Back/pull in. Before unhitching from tv check the side to side level. If out place boards or blocks until level. Chock wheels, unhitch from tv. Now level front to back then set down the stabiliser jacks. Let out your slide and awning. Hook up power water sewer and you are done.

SWD wrote:Pick the site. Back/pull in. Before unhitching from tv check the side to side level. If out place boards or blocks until level. Chock wheels, unhitch from tv. Now level front to back then set down the stabiliser jacks. Let out your slide and awning. Hook up power water sewer and you are done.That's about it. The boards go under the tires on the low side.

There are numerous articles on GOOGLE on how to setup at a camp site... Scan thru a few of those and then you can understand maybe what others on here are making points about.Roy Ken

How far do you put the jacks down?

I would only add to SWD's post is that you make sure you have clearances for your awning and slideouts. Also, I always connect my power before using my power jack in front but that is not necessary. I have also found that on my side to side leveler bubble that for each mark from the center mark I need one lynx level under my wheels. You will eventually find your own formula. Some people recommend putting out your slideouts before leveling. Of course, the most important part is grabbing a drink, a chair and relaxing under the awning when set up.

Set up! | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

kjandjosh
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Peg Leg wrote:
kjandjosh wrote:
Peg Leg wrote:
kjandjosh, I've though about leaving my leg off and hobbling around on my crutches. Then when one of the other campers offer to help let him do it, NOT.

If I was around I would help you.....help you put it back on. lol

First we gotta find where I left the dang thing. Oh well if it doesn't get charged it will start beeping in 2 days.

Wow one of those high tech ones.
I think we need to put a tile (new gadget) on it so we can locate the leg. Also you if you get lots. Lol
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
kjandjosh wrote:
Peg Leg wrote:
kjandjosh, I've though about leaving my leg off and hobbling around on my crutches. Then when one of the other campers offer to help let him do it, NOT.

If I was around I would help you.....help you put it back on. lol

First we gotta find where I left the dang thing. Oh well if it doesn't get charged it will start beeping in 2 days.
opnspaces
Navigator III
Oct 03, 2013
Here's my take on it.

Get the trailer into the spot watching all sides and also looking up for branches.
Make sure the utilities will reach.
Make sure the slide will open.
Check side to side level and level the low side.
Place blocks firmly behind wheels.
Back trailer slightly so the rear tires are starting to slightly climb the blocks.
Hold the brakes firmly and have your helper apply front blocks firmly.
Put tow vehicle in neutral and let trailer settle between the blocks. (Removes a lot of wiggle)
Disconnect hitch but leave the safety chains hooked up.
Level trailer front to back.
Once you are sure the trailer is stationary and not prone to rolling disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle.
Crank down the stabilizers. I apply about 1/4 to 1/2 turn after they contact the ground.
If you have to extend the stabilizer more than half way, use a block under it to take up the extra space. (It's more stable this way)
Hookup utilities, extend the awning and start camping.
Teardown in the reverse order.

My one extra bit of advice is that the safety chains are always the last thing you disconnect, and the first thing you reconnect every time. I've read more than once on the forum of someone's trailer starting to roll away when they unhitched and they had already disconnected the chains.
kjandjosh
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
NCCamper2003 wrote:
About 45 mins south of Greensboro, outside of Salisbury, NC, there is Dan Nicholas Park. Great place to camp. Check Craigslist for places to store the TT up there in Greensboro.

Where in PA are you coming from? I grew up about 45 mins west of Pittsburgh.

Good luck!
John

I grew up in Williamsport but been in dirty Philly for about 5 years now.
Thanks for the info.
NCCamper2003
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
About 45 mins south of Greensboro, outside of Salisbury, NC, there is Dan Nicholas Park. Great place to camp. Check Craigslist for places to store the TT up there in Greensboro.

Where in PA are you coming from? I grew up about 45 mins west of Pittsburgh.

Good luck!
John
Luke_Porter
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
If the site slopes from front to back, you may need to lower the front end to level. To do this, run the landing gear down a ways before lowering the landing gear jacks. Raise the trailer off the pickup. Then you can retract the landing gear to lower the front end to level.
wborst
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
kjandjosh wrote:
NCCamper2003 wrote:
About the hand-cranking of the stabilizers, I use a DeWalt 18V cordless drill, with an adapter and socket that I use to lower/raise the stabilizers. Just be careful not to lower too quickly. When they touch the ground, then I will snug them up with the hand crank. Works great!

Good luck,
John

I got the wife to do that...lol
I am planning on getting something like that down the road.

I will be moving to Greensboro,NC Jan of this year.
Any good places anyone recomends in those neck of the woods?
and a cheap place to store the TT would be great.

I live in Burlington, NC just down the road from Greensboro. About 8 miles north of Greensboro is the town of Reidsville. They have a great park there at Lake Reidsville. Camping there with full hookups is only $17 per night for non-town residents. Maybe we will see you there next year.:B
samsontdog
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
I might add that if you do not have full hookups at your camp site make sure that you fill up the water tank to your RV BEFORE unhooking . It is a pain to have to hook back up and find water in the camp ground. Otherwise you have to carry 5 gallon buckets of water back and forth to your RV. I forgot to fill up the other day at Lake Tahoe and went to all the trouble to get into a tight camp site, unhooked, etc {OH CRAP, forgot water}
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2013
Tin Pusher wrote:
josh79 wrote:
How far do you put the jacks down?

'Bout halfway :)

Seriously, firm contact. They are typically not used to level the camper, just stabilize it.

I'd also add, before unhooking, be sure your wire(s) and hose(s) reach the hookups.
Check them again the following morning. Adjust as necessary to compensate for setteling.
kjandjosh
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Tin Pusher wrote:
Oh yeah, after you run the slide (if any) go around the jacks again.

If it weren't for afterthoughts, I'd have no thoughts at all :)

Thanks.

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Set up!

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