Put jacks down to stabilize camper in winds?

fpoole wrote:
To clarify on the Leveling part...

I can't easily tell when the camper is "off" the truck or not with the jacks tied down. I typically is 'off' on one end, but still "on" on the other end, front-back-side. I'll level and then bring it back down onto the truck until it just shows, bubbly gauges, 'unlevel'.

That way it's level and sitting, for the most part, on the truck bed for stabilization. Leaving the jacks tied down for me is a little too iffy when trying to level it. Works well in high winds etc.

AGain, I'll try to use the Lego tire levelers, but they're only good for a few inches and not going to try to balance two of those on separate wheels at different heights.

Hope that helps to clarify it...

One easy way to check for the rear, while lifting with the fast guns attached, is if you have stable loads is to watch them. As long as the stable loads are engaged to the overload spring you are not lifting the truck.

The jacks do help reduce rocking in high winds.

I rough level the truck first with wood blocks under the tires. Then use the jacks to fine tune the level, as well as stabilize the camper from rocking.

quote----"Physics. You don't need to unlatch the tiedowns until you've gotten the truck back up to unloaded height. It's only at that point that you start lifting more than the weight of the camper"


Agreed!
Plus you can secure 2 corners of your entrance mat w/the rear jacks by capturing them between the jack and the ground or support block.

Of course if the site is really un-level or rough, all bets are off! JMHO

To clarify on the Leveling part...

I can't easily tell when the camper is "off" the truck or not with the jacks tied down. I typically is 'off' on one end, but still "on" on the other end, front-back-side. I'll level and then bring it back down onto the truck until it just shows, bubbly gauges, 'unlevel'.

That way it's level and sitting, for the most part, on the truck bed for stabilization. Leaving the jacks tied down for me is a little too iffy when trying to level it. Works well in high winds etc.

AGain, I'll try to use the Lego tire levelers, but they're only good for a few inches and not going to try to balance two of those on separate wheels at different heights.

Hope that helps to clarify it...

I will put the two rear jacks just enough to touch the ground. So I don't forget to raise them before we drive off I put the jack remote in the drivers seat of the truck.

Physics. You don't need to unlatch the tiedowns until you've gotten the truck back up to unloaded height. It's only at that point that you start lifting more than the weight of the camper.

Disconnecting the camper from the truck in this situation defeats the purpose. You want the mass of the truck for stability in addition to the jacks.

When you start with a level rig and drop the jacks until they just start to lift, no harm will come to the camper, tiedowns, or truck.

I didn't use to, but now as I get more and more uneven surface sites, It's becoming automatic to level it. It does make a big difference in the wind as the truck starts a'Rock'n.... like being in a boat in windy weather...

I tried the tire 'Legos' but the only work in slightly uneven, so the jacks come down. Fast guns unlocked and hanging...
I use the little square blocks to disperse the jack's load, don't want to sink into mud etc... not pretty when that happens...

Just about always put them down to stabilize the camper unless we are only at a site for a day. We have been through some pretty big wind storms including with trees coming down and I felt they helped reduced the side wind.

As a side note I've learned my lesson about camping in the forest with high winds being expected. It was a pretty scary night with banging going on all around us. Fortunately we only received a glancing blow by a medium size branch that didn't hurt anything. Some storms may be unavoidable but why take a chance. On the other hand, camping in the open by the water with winter storms is pretty fun. Just stay away from trees.

I never put them down, I find the rocking part of the charm of a TC I guess. It just doesn't bother me.

Not sure what would happen if you got a flat and didn't loosen the tie downs though. Not a likely occurrance but something to consider.

I always put mine down. Many times I opened fast gun to find its still 1/2 hole showing load, so I close them back up and lock them