Forum Discussion
joerg68
May 22, 2017Nomad III
As you extend the jacks with the tiedowns still connected, at some point soon after the jacks touch the ground, you will lighten the load on the truck's springs. But as long as the camper still fully contacts the truck bed, there is no "extra load" on the jacks, as the truck still "pushes" from below.
Of course, at some point you would start to have less load on the springs than it takes to carry the truck's weight alone. That is when you start lifting the truck with the jacks, and that is surely not a good idea.
There is no problem in stabilizing the camper with the jacks down. But in my opinion the tiedowns should be disconnected, just in case a tire looses air - in which case you would otherwise hang the truck from the camper.
ETA: of course, with the tiedowns still hooked up, you can not see the point at which the camper would start to lift off the bed. So, just don't, I guess.
Of course, at some point you would start to have less load on the springs than it takes to carry the truck's weight alone. That is when you start lifting the truck with the jacks, and that is surely not a good idea.
There is no problem in stabilizing the camper with the jacks down. But in my opinion the tiedowns should be disconnected, just in case a tire looses air - in which case you would otherwise hang the truck from the camper.
ETA: of course, with the tiedowns still hooked up, you can not see the point at which the camper would start to lift off the bed. So, just don't, I guess.
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