We have just purchased a new-to-us 5th wheel trailer with six-point leveling system. Watching videos on how to use the six-point leveling system it states that there is no longer any need for wood or plastic blocks underneath the wheels to level from side to side. What is your real-life experience on the need for some type of block under the wheels to aid the six-point leveling system?Do you carry any blocks with you?

The jacks have a limited travel range and if you are too far off level, the system may not even energize. We carry a few wood boards to get closer to side to side level. We have also found that if you use blocks under the jacks to keep them from extending so far, the trailer is more stable.Ken

Yes. I have 6x6 blocks. Sometimes the ground is so far off the levers can't do their job. The less travel you have, the shorter the shaft the more stable you will be. If for no other reason, I use the blocks to help keep the landing pads clean and out of the dirt.

If you camp on paved driveways with no slope, you won't need blocks. But we've needed them on several occasions when parked on dirt, in fields etc. We keep a storage bin full of them in our basement storage. We had a trip this year where we were on a site so unlevel, we ended up with the front jacks nearly retracted all the way, and our rear drive's side needing to extend all the way, plus some blocks under it.

We still carry the plastic blocks. We have ran into sites sloping so much the blocks helped the jacks from extending so far out or not having enough travel. We have also ran into campgrounds who require something to be placed under the pads.

We don’t carry additional blocking, nice to have more room in the basement. Initially carried 10x10 pads, but stopped doing that when we put snap-pads on (highly recommended), again nice to have more basement space now and great/quick setup without placing pads. We usually stay at state or city parks, very seldom paved, and haven’t had a problem in two years of traveling halftime (30+k miles, throughout NW, SW, Midwest, South and Canada)

Real-life experience blocks to aid 6-point leveling system

obie311
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2020
I'm guilty too of lifting wheels off the ground with my 4 point leveling system. I primarily plead ignorance of the system.

6 points may be OK but I would think the more contact points you have with ground (+4 w/ tires) the more stable you will be and the less chance of tweaking the frame.

I also like the theory of using as little stroke as you can (thru leveling blocks or cribbing) keeps the legs telescoped as much as possible and intrinsically more stable.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Oct 08, 2020
Cummins12V98 wrote:
I have been setting at my Summer Residence since May with two tires off the ground, no ill effect.

Each of my 6 rams are rated for 13,000#
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2020
I have been setting at my Summer Residence since May with two tires off the ground, no ill effect.
texanrvr
Explorer
Oct 08, 2020
There is no downside to lifting the tires off the ground when leveling. There is a CYA suggestion from Lipper NOT to use the jacks to change tires, but I have seen it done often. I have used the hydraulics for Discount Tires to change or service my tires and my dealer used them to service my wheel bearings.

Back when the Level Up was new, the inventor used his own Mobile Suite trailer completely off the ground to demonstrate their strength.

Their lawyers put a stop to this.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2020
What is wrong with tires being off the ground?
Super_Dave
Explorer
Oct 08, 2020
FWIW, leveling blocks under the jacks hasn't prevented my tires from coming off the ground on the low side. It just prevents the low side jacks from getting an out of stroke error. Blocks need to go under the wheels to prevent them from lifting off the ground.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Oct 08, 2020
I carry a few plastic blocks. However went to one park this summer and they put me in a very unlevel spot. They brought blocks so we could get level. Othrtwise I have never used blocks under anything. God idea to have something.
sdfiver
Explorer
Oct 03, 2020
We made 6 "pads" out of 12" square 3/4 inch thick marine grade plywood,2 pieces thick screwed together with deck screws. Painted them white. We've been using them almost 20 years so they're holding up very well. We use them under our 6 point hydraulic leveling legs every setup. Helps prevent settling on soft ground and doesn't leave rust stains on concrete pads. They ride, 3 to a side, in the truck bed in front of the hitch so it's easy to reach over the side to get them when setting up.
Splashers3
Explorer
Sep 22, 2020
I have always used 6x6 blocks under the leveling pads to avoid getting a stroke error. I went to Lowes and bought nice large handles, which makes carrying and grabbing the blocks much easier. They go in the bed of my truck for easy access and are the first thing we do when setting up.

Only on a few occasions did one side of the wheels lift off the ground.
MNRon
Explorer
Sep 21, 2020
Regarding lifting wheels off of the ground - MORryde lifted our 16,000lb coach with the 6pt LIppert levelers for two day while they removed our suspension and replaced it with IS. I also have lifted each side completely to do bearings and replace tires (always have jack stand under ‘just in case’ if I go under). We’ve also camped many times where one side is lifted off of the ground.

I’m not concerned at all about having hydraulic levelers supporting the whole weight of vehicle (have safety backup if You go under). We do have IS suspension though, might be concerned about inverting leaf spring suspensions if wheels are far enough off of ground.