Forum Discussion

wowens79's avatar
wowens79
Explorer III
Aug 08, 2016

Setup Question

The set up time question prompted me to post this as I had been wondering since out last trip. With a wife, and 2 kids (13 & 15), we work together to get set up done so we can get to other activities.

We sold out Popup, and bought a TT, with power jack, stabs, awning, and one slide. My question is can I have the kids running both sets of stabs down close to the ground, while I'm using the tongue Jack to unhitch? We do have 2 grp 27 batts.

Thanks!
  • Alabama_Jim's avatar
    Alabama_Jim
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2016
    I would put the tongue at the proper height for it to be level and then set the stabilizers.
  • KeepOnCamping's avatar
    KeepOnCamping
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2016
    Alabama Jim wrote:
    I would put the tongue at the proper height for it to be level and then set the stabilizers.

    Agree. I unhook from the truck first (after my son chocks the tires), then everyone pitches in.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 08, 2016
    Remember you use the tongue jack to level front to rear.

    Who's quicker........
    You disconnecting from TV and getting F/R level or those 2 kids pushing a button??

    Wheel chocks 1st ON......last thing OFF
    Check power
    Unhitch....set F/R level then stabilizers
  • Hondavalk's avatar
    Hondavalk
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2016
    If you have the rear stabilizing jacks down when you raise the front of the trailer it will put to much pressure on the rear jacks. Level side to side, then front to back and then lower your stabilizing jacks.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2016
    Tongue jack first, get trailer as close to level as possible, then lower stabilizer jacks.

    I suppose we all have our own styles, but I'm never in a rush to get anywhere. We enjoy the journey as well as the destination. We enjoy the set-up and tear down as much as the time "there". It's all part of the RV experience. Don't be in such a rush you forget to live in the moment.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2016
    Remember that the stablizers are just that, stabilizin the unit, they are not levelers!

    Step one level side to side with some sort of blocks under wheels.
    Two chock wheels.
    Three use tounge jack to level front to back
    Four set stabilizers.
  • wowens79's avatar
    wowens79
    Explorer III
    Aug 08, 2016
    I only had the kids run the stabs down part about half way while I was unhooking. It seemed to run fine with both sets of stabs going down and the jack working. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to cause any problems.

    I like the power stabs so far, but they are really slow.
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2016
    WNYBob wrote:
    Remember that the stablizers are just that, stabilizin the unit, they are not levelers!

    Step one level side to side with some sort of blocks under wheels.
    Two chock wheels.
    Three use tounge jack to level front to back
    Four set stabilizers.


    THIS
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2016
    wowens79 wrote:
    The set up time question prompted me to post this as I had been wondering since out last trip. With a wife, and 2 kids (13 & 15), we work together to get set up done so we can get to other activities.

    We sold out Popup, and bought a TT, with power jack, stabs, awning, and one slide. My question is can I have the kids running both sets of stabs down close to the ground, while I'm using the tongue Jack to unhitch? We do have 2 grp 27 batts.

    Thanks!
    You just got to your camp site - not your spot on pit row. Your plan sounds like a recipe for mistakes. So what happens when the person running the rear stabs to the ground goes to far and they start digging into the ground while you are raising the tongue high enough to unhitch? No issue with getting help, but one person should be calling the shots in a sequence of steps.
  • 93Cobra2771's avatar
    93Cobra2771
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2016
    Sounds like you were asking about any possible power issues running all three at once. Only you will know that if it pops the thermal breaker due to low voltage.

    I agree with the others, don't mess with the stabs until the TT is leveled.

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