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Parking level on a hill bad for suspension?

Jetstreamer
Explorer
Explorer
Had a talk with an RV tech today about my routine of leveling my fifth wheel while parked at home on a bit of a grade. He was pretty emphatic about the detrimental effects this has on the suspension and tires by Imbalancing the load between the axles. I probably mostly agree with his argument. Here are a couple of pictures of my parking situation at home.
Looking for other folk's input and opinions...



20 REPLIES 20

Mile_High
Explorer
Explorer
It would be interesting next time one of those fellas show up with the individual wheel weight scales to check out what really happens. I understand the equalizer is supposed to make all things equal, but mine road high in the nose and was stored high in the nose and the inside of my rear tires always wore and I had it aligned twice at two different shops.
2013 Winnebago Itasca Meridian 42E
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Explorer
Dave H M wrote:
In your situation I say the tech is full of El Toro poo poo. But ya know he is a tech and probably has a name tag and logo on his shirt. :h


El Toro used to be a city in So.CA until the citizens voted to re-name it Lake Forest - must have been some former IL residents.
(It was rigged).

(However it *does* have a couple of small lakes - and home of small Eucalyptus groves for wood an early entrepreneur thought he could sell to the railroad for RR ties.)

El Toro was the home of the now closed USMC MCAS El Toro - lots of Marines have fond memories dating to WWII -and- Marines can be sensitive dudes about their former homes and..(gads!).."poo poo"!.:R

Now where FA-18 were parked - it's "home" to about 2500 RVs - with lots of room for more!

Anyway - many things still carry the former name of El Toro - like the High School.
While other schools may chant "push 'em back" (etc.) at football games....ETHS students prefer yelling..."Bull Hit" !!".

Maybe they should switch to the very "manly"..."El Toro poo poo on you!"..:B

~

OP - you are darn close to level - the suspension discussion is a moot issue..:W



~

You_can_t_take_
Explorer
Explorer
Looking at the pictures I would be more concerned about slipping off of the blocks under front legs.


I used blocks under my front legs but also had a 2" long bolt slipped through the hole on each base plate into a hole in the block. There is no way the legs could slip off the blocks!
1960's: Tents.. 1970's: Soft top & Hard top P/U.. 1980's: 17' RV.. 1990's: 24' RV.. 2000's: 2002 Cougar 276EFS; 2005 Laredo 29GS; 2002 GMC 2500HD Ext Cab 4x4; 2015: 2006 Class 'B' Chateau Citation; "(Nfld/Labrador-Yukon/NWT/Alaska-Gaspe', Que./Florida!!)

bpounds
Nomad
Nomad
hukillrc wrote:
Looking at the pictures I would be more conserened about slipping off of the blocks under front legs.


I'm right with you on that. Don't understand why so many people do it. OP is certainly not alone in that practice.

It just creates a risk, even if a very small risk, where no risk works just as well.
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver

hukillrc
Explorer
Explorer
Looking at the pictures I would be more conserened about slipping off of the blocks under front legs.

gmc851
Explorer
Explorer
When in my driveway the pin is 5'6" off the ground of my 5er. I put the front axle tires on pieces of 2" X 12". I put a bevel on the wood. never had a problem.
I could be wrong, your mileage may vary :?
Doug & Jan
06 2500HD 6.6L D/A SB 28/33 Titanium :B

CEddy
Explorer
Explorer
smkettner wrote:
Tech is wrong. As long as the leaf equalizers (center pivot) are not maxed out, the weight is virtually equal.


If he has torsion axles, then there would be more weight applied to the rear axle. I still wouldn't worry about it in this situation.
2006 Coachmen 30TBS
2004 F-350 SRW PSD

Martyn
Nomad
Nomad
smkettner wrote:
Tech is wrong. As long as the leaf equalizers (center pivot) are not maxed out, the weight is virtually equal.


Right answer. ๐Ÿ™‚
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attuco
Explorer
Explorer
smkettner wrote:
Tech is wrong. As long as the leaf equalizers (center pivot) are not maxed out, the weight is virtually equal.


smkettner is right AGAIN

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
In your situation I say the tech is full of El Toro poo poo. But ya know he is a tech and probably has a name tag and logo on his shirt. :h

Trackrig
Explorer II
Explorer II
The tech could be right if there was really any slope there worth worrying about. You almost had to look a second time to see the slope.

Bill
Nodwell RN110 out moose hunting. 4-53 Detroit, Clark 5 spd, 40" wide tracks, 10:00x20 tires, 16,000# capacity, 22,000# weight. You know the mud is getting deep when it's coming in the doors.

camperfamily
Explorer
Explorer
Hmm. My driveway is FAR steeper - my rear bumper touches and I can back my pickup under the pin box with inches of clearance to the closed tailgate. In fact if I raise it just a tad more the front axles lifts of the ground. Been that way since '08 and no ill effects that I can tell. BTW - I use HUGE chocks in front of the rear tires on the trailer.
2011 Cougar 322QBS
2007 Pilgrim 278BHSS (Sold)
2023 F359 CCLB 7.3
2013 F350 CC LB 6.7 (Retired)
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Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
smkettner wrote:
Tech is wrong. As long as the leaf equalizers (center pivot) are not maxed out, the weight is virtually equal.


Ding,ding,ding..........winner

Hope you don't use that 'tech' for any repairs.
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Tech is wrong. As long as the leaf equalizers (center pivot) are not maxed out, the weight is virtually equal.