Parking on an incline

[Jonny8491]

I will be parking the 5er in my driveway for the first time. The driveway has a incline. Is this a good idea/bad idea. what should I watch for when backing it in?

thanks
Jon

[Keith_Smith]

The fridge operates by the heating and cooling of ammonia (at least that is my understanding). When it is out of level the liquid ammonia flows where it isn't supposed to and can vary sediment with it and will clog up the system. I don't know a lot about it, but that is my basic understanding. Someone will probably answer more fully.

[CityFire]

I, too, have a driveway issue. All great advice here and thanks for posting it, folks. Just one stupid question, and it's from a brand new 2B 5'er owner just a couple days out from now. I have read a few places about not running the fridge and appliances if the unit is not 100% level. While I fully comprehend and understand about the slides - why not the appliances? Thanks in advance!

[tnclays]

You need to see where the lowest point on the rear portion of the unit is----the bumper may clear, but things like spare tires underneath, rear stabilizers, auto levelers, and black/gray tank outlets may be the lowest point that will bottom out on a slope.

It's a limiting factor for me. I tried 4 different fivers before I found the one that would make it up the driveway. If you are working with a local dealer, make that a condition of sale----it has to be able to make it up the driveway.

[Greentreena]

4x4 low makes it easier to put the trailer in place.

[Keith_Smith]

Two years ago I parked on the inclined section of my drive and left it hooked up overnight with the fridge running. The next day the fridge didn't work. I left the next day and found out at the campground. When I got home at the end of the weekend, I parked it level and let it set for a week before trying it again. Thankfully, it came back. The grade was probably 4% and I run a little nose high.

Just saying this to caution you about the fridge.

[ACZL]

Our d-way is inclined as well. Back in off the street alongside of garage where it's level (though slanted away from garage). Put boards down to level side to side, Roto-Chock wheels, and put boards under landing pads and shim so pads touch at same time (just like if your leveling at a campsite). Leg farthest from garage goes down a bit more due to slant of d-way. If you have a very good slat, you may have to place blocks under legs to get level front to back. Like AP said, don't run appliances, or slides out if not level.

[milo]

You didn't indicate which direction the incline was to your RV. Parallel or perpendicular? My drive has a bout a 15% incline getting it the 40' to the parking area then a about 2% slope to the street side of the RV when parked. Original owner of the home screwed up the slant of the pad and slanted it slightly toward the house. I have heck getting up there & around the side of the house, then have to raise the street side of the RV up 2 inches.

[Ron_Nielson]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Careful laying in bed....blood could rush to your head and you could roll off :B

Now THAT'S FUNNY !!!

[Old-Biscuit]

Don't unhitch until you KNOW it isn't going to roll

Don't operate fridge off level

Don't run slides out off level

Careful laying in bed....blood could rush to your head and you could roll off :B

[time2roll]

I would have some type of locking wheel chock in addition to a wedge on every wheel.

[Road_Runners]

When I used my driveway I could raise the front landing gear enough so that my fiver was level fore and aft. This allowed for our frig to still operate safely.

If your driveway is really slopes watch that you don't scrape the rear of the trailer on the driveway as you back in.

[downtheroad]

Have someone watch and warn you if you are going to low side and scrape. Also REALLY, REALLY chock the wheels (both sides) securely.

Maybe don't run the frig if you are more than 1-2 bubbles out of level.

[korbe]

I back my 5er up my driveway that has a grade from 15 to 25%. And it is very narrow. I have found putting the truck in 4-low helps me "push" my rig up real slow an easy. I put x-chocks between the wheels and I kick in quarter rounds of fire wood along the front of each wheel before I disconnect.

[mthockeydad]

Small children, dogs, the garage door...



All kidding aside, block the tires WELL.
Also make sure the transition between the street and the driveway aren't too sharp so you don't hit the lower edge of the 5er on the side rails of your pickup box!