Leveling TT

Yep, we level with the slide side slightly high and then when the slide goes out, it is level. I try to make sure to put the slide side stabilizers down first because it is easy to put the curb side stabilizers down a little too far and then make it harder to get the slide side stabilizers down to maintain level. I try and remember to snug up the stabilizers the next morning. Almost always find one or two a little loose (except when on hard surface).

Level in our TT depends on where you measure. The floor, the bed, the stove, the frame.

We have a side to side level on the outside. We add one or two 2x12s under the low side wheels, then disconnect and use the tongue jack for front to back. Typically we like the tongue a bit higher.

Two or three days on anything but concrete or asphalt and it will settle.

Just the nature of the beast.

ependydad wrote:
Yup. We'll actually "level" the trailer with the driver's side slightly higher than the passenger side. Once the 3 slides are out on that side, it settles down a touch.

I do this as well.

I noticed over our years of RVing that I can have my rig as level as it can get on the first day, then after all the movement while using the trailer the pads will work their way into the ground some and the trailer will get a bit off. I just make adjustments and we go about our day. Only a couple times have I had to hook up and totally re do.....usually after a good rain and the ground softening up.

Yes, extending the slides will cause more weight on one side of the trailer and will cause it to lean, even though it was level before extending the slides.

What you need to do is set up the camper and extend all the slides, then take a measurement how much out of level the entire camper is (with the slide out) .... and no jacks down.

If it's off on one side by (say) 1.5 inches, then you know in order for the camper to be level after the slides are out, you need to raise the opposite side 1.5 inches BEFORE extending the slides. This mean, put blocks under the tires which will raise the leaning side UP 1.5 inches (before extending the slides).

Now.... if you attach a bubble level, attach it at this point, with one side raised the 1.5 inches. Yes the trailer is unlevel. BUT!!! When you extend the slides, the weight of the slides will now cause that 1.5 inch raised side to squat, and it will NOW be level when you walk in it. (Now, you put your stablizer jacks down). Your bubble level will be way off. But the camper floor, refrigerator, doors, everything will be level.

In time, you'll just be able to eye-ball the right-left level and probably wont' even need to use the bubble level any more. BUT... that's how you do it.

Yes, it is very common with trailers with only 1 slide or 2 slides on one side only to squat on the heavy slide.

Some folks put extra leaf springs on the heavy side of the camper to compensate for the lean. But if you want to go the cheap route, just put wood boards under the heavy side that squats.

I don't worry about it too much if you're slightly off level. I level the trailer side to side. Then unhitch and level front to back. Stabilizers out and then slide out, only have a single, large slide. If the trailer goes slightly off level where the slide side is lower, no worries as rain gets directed at the edge of the slide and not towards the slide seal.

You trailer does not have to be perfectly level, pretty much just close enough to level is fine.

B-52G wrote:
I have been pulling 5th wheels for the last 10 years and have went back to a travel trailer. I am having a heck of a time getting it level. Seems I get it level disconnect get it level up and down and put the slide out and we notice a day or so later it is of to the slide side. My question is could the slide be causing the trailer to be unlevel to that side when we put it out. Never had a problem with it on or last 5th wheel, but it had 2 slides on different sides.

Thank you for your service.

I would think if the stabilizers are deployed and the suspension is no longer part of the equation, there shouldn't be too much movement to cause an out-of-level issue unless your are getting an issue with the frame flexing a bit. Not sure.

I would check the level on the frame itself and then compare it to when the slide is out and see if there is a variance.

Yup. We'll actually "level" the trailer with the driver's side slightly higher than the passenger side. Once the 3 slides are out on that side, it settles down a touch.