Truck Hydralic Auto-levelers

17oaks wrote:
... Went past one on I 10 couple of weeks ago the trucks front wheels almost off the ground and the trailer hitch spraying sparks.

lmao....

Reality Check wrote:

skipro3 wrote:
...
Instead of a traditional leveling system with rams that push down into the ground, what about a suspension adjustment? ...

billtex wrote:
I think for a TC airbags with in-cab compressor would be a better choice for leveling for a lot less $.

I'm with bedlam on this...I don't expend too much energy trying to level...drive the truck around until we are close and call it a day...

^^^^ getting the unit stable off the suspension is the idea. The little add on air bags don't level in inches. And these systems have 14", 18", even 24" of travel. They can tuck way up beyond your lowest hanging parts and still reach the ground and do the job.

Super_Dave wrote:
I'm also envisioning a situation where someone uses the truck levelers and then puts the camper jacks down for added side to side support. A leveler failure later and the camper jacks are trying to hold the truck off the ground.

^^^ suppose, anything is possible. But hell, I made it out of the shower today. I'm a risk taker.

I suggest that more often than not, we'd level off and go to bed. Wouldn't even worry about the camper jacks. Think how stable the camper is, locked onto your bed, with no suspension in play. Then again, in my younger years, a rockin' camper and.... never mind.

17oaks wrote:
If you need to level your TC while driving then air bags are the answer...that said it should set level on its own or very close to it. Mine does and so do most of the friends I have that have a TC.

If you are talking static setup, the you have or should have 4 electric legs to raise, lower and level you rig when camped.

I think you missed the point...

And I'll argue, most campers do not sit level. Count 'em going down the road, pointing into the sky, lighting up the telephone poles and pissing off the drivers having to look at the lights in their rear view mirrors... No, most do not sit level.

But again, that wasn't the subject.

They're not for everyone, that's for sure. We camp in the winter, in areas where I have more than a few times, blocked up one side of the truck 12-14", just to get close. It's a hassle, especially in the snow. I envision pulling up, smiling at the wife, and hitting the button as it raises the unit off the ground. It's on the burner, still pondering it.


Thought for the day: Words have meaning, that's why we use them.

Old George of Tioga and George had a nice brand of aftermarket levelers he added to his old Tioga that didn't come with any, they were gear driven instead of the standard flip down hydraulic units.

Guess I am misunderstanding the TC thing. My AF has a flat bottom, it sets in the bed of the truck, which is flat and I set it down on horse stall mat, about 5/8th thick, it sets level in the truck and the truck sets level with it on it. 5000 lb sitting in the bed, Hellwig swaybar, Rancho shocks and StableLoads, no other mods and its level.

Been to several TC rallies and did not see it there either. Have I seen it, yea, often, no. What is common is folks pulling 5th wheels and tows that are pointing to the sky etc. Went past one on I 10 couple of weeks ago the trucks front wheels almost off the ground and the trailer hitch spraying sparks.

skipro3 wrote:
...
Instead of a traditional leveling system with rams that push down into the ground, what about a suspension adjustment? ...

billtex wrote:
I think for a TC airbags with in-cab compressor would be a better choice for leveling for a lot less $.

I'm with bedlam on this...I don't expend too much energy trying to level...drive the truck around until we are close and call it a day...

^^^^ getting the unit stable off the suspension is the idea. The little add on air bags don't level in inches. And these systems have 14", 18", even 24" of travel. They can tuck way up beyond your lowest hanging parts and still reach the ground and do the job.

Super_Dave wrote:
I'm also envisioning a situation where someone uses the truck levelers and then puts the camper jacks down for added side to side support. A leveler failure later and the camper jacks are trying to hold the truck off the ground.

^^^ suppose, anything is possible. But hell, I made it out of the shower today. I'm a risk taker.

I suggest that more often than not, we'd level off and go to bed. Wouldn't even worry about the camper jacks. Think how stable the camper is, locked onto your bed, with no suspension in play. Then again, in my younger years, a rockin' camper and.... never mind.

17oaks wrote:
If you need to level your TC while driving then air bags are the answer...that said it should set level on its own or very close to it. Mine does and so do most of the friends I have that have a TC.

If you are talking static setup, the you have or should have 4 electric legs to raise, lower and level you rig when camped.

I think you missed the point...

And I'll argue, most campers do not sit level. Count 'em going down the road, pointing into the sky, lighting up the telephone poles and pissing off the drivers having to look at the lights in their rear view mirrors... No, most do not sit level.

But again, that wasn't the subject.

They're not for everyone, that's for sure. We camp in the winter, in areas where I have more than a few times, blocked up one side of the truck 12-14", just to get close. It's a hassle, especially in the snow. I envision pulling up, smiling at the wife, and hitting the button as it raises the unit off the ground. It's on the burner, still pondering it.


Thought for the day: Words have meaning, that's why we use them.

If you need to level your TC while driving then air bags are the answer...that said it should set level on its own or very close to it. Mine does and so do most of the friends I have that have a TC.

If you are talking static setup, the you have or should have 4 electric legs to raise, lower and level you rig when camped.

I'm also envisioning a situation where someone uses the truck levelers and then puts the camper jacks down for added side to side support. A leveler failure later and the camper jacks are trying to hold the truck off the ground.

I had a brother-in-law (my sister-in-law divorced and re married) had a job at a car carrier builder company. They made their own hydrolic rams. They seem to be long enough for TC jacks, so maybe one of those companies could give some guidance.

I cracked 2 windshields on my previous Class A by using auto levelers. They can twist the frame enough to cause unwanted stress. And I used them the way it was recommended and never tried to level in unsuitable parking areas.

"Needed"?? heheh, oh yeah, it's "Must Have", joking...
Like most things, the accessories are the "Sink Hole" for $$$

While I would consider it a luxury, the "Clearance Clarence" issue would be a big factor. As noted, it might be OK for highway, flat driving/camping roads, but suspect it might be a problem for off roading with any type of "Whoops" (in ORV language) big rolling dips and mounds. Like a "Washboard road" on Steroids.

It just seemed to be kewl to just drive up, brakes on, flip the switch and you're level without getting out. $2500+ kewl? I'd have to think on one.

I agree with others that finding a flat place would be ideal.
I'm solo, so getting in and out of TC setting blocks and driving up & back could be a PITA more so in the rain... so thought the Leveling Jacks might be a better choice.

I used to have a small Tear Drop Trailer that had scissor jacks. Never used them during the 5+yrs I used it. while it wasn't always level, it worked. With the TC, leveling apparently is more important for Refrigerator.

Weight wouldn't be a problem, RAM 550 and I have a few pounds left over and available if needed.

Clearance (and cost) would be the main factors I'd have to look at.


Ok, well, that answers that one, thanks all and hopefully the next "Newbie" can find this thread in the TC section and will help..

Happy Trails...

frank.

I think for a TC airbags with in-cab compressor would be a better choice for leveling for a lot less $.

I'm with bedlam on this...I don't expend too much energy trying to level...drive the truck around until we are close and call it a day...