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Setting up

Engineman113
Explorer
Explorer
Brand new RV’er when i arrive at a site with a Class A MH
Do I
1 level the rig with the stabilizers then deploy the slide out
2 deploy the slide out then level the rig with the stabilizers

Thanks in anticipation of your answers and or discussion
27 REPLIES 27

doxiemom11
Explorer II
Explorer II
We have a Monaco but never got any of the manuals with it, so we don't know what the mfg instructions were, but we always level first, then put the slides out.

Busskipper
Explorer
Explorer
Engineman113 wrote:
Don’t want disagreements I just watched a you tube on a new coach and they stated slide out first then level , just sounded not wrong but questionable
Like I said I’m a newdy and want to learn


I've done it both ways and have found that - For ME - slides out then Level works best.

TS says to put slide out first but i"ve done it both ways with little issue.

That said, if the site is so unlevel that you can torque the frame and bind the slide..........might be good to just move.

When all else fails follow the instructions.

JMHO,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
GX470-FMCA - Travel less now - But still love to be on the Road
States traveled in this Coach

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
Engineman113 wrote:
Brand new RV’er when i arrive at a site with a Class A MH
Do I
1 level the rig with the stabilizers then deploy the slide out
2 deploy the slide out then level the rig with the stabilizers

Thanks in anticipation of your answers and or discussion

You'll get a lot of answers and a lot because of the manufactures recommendations, but it stands to reason, that with being level, there'll be less chance for binding and such.
With ours, it's best to have the engine running with full alternator voltage supplying the batteries and there are no lockouts to prevent it, like some have. Also the only way, you'll get an alarm for the jacks being down, is if you should try putting it in gear.
We used to have an old gas coach, that automatically retracted the jacks, when starting the engine, with the alarm going off, as well, so we always put the slide in, before hand, then started and let it take care of itself. Funny thing though and after some years, it quit doing that and you had to raise them yourself. Still got the alarm if you put it in gear, however.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

GHOST1750
Explorer
Explorer
Level first in most cases. Sometimes the coach is level when I park and I don't even put the jacks down.
Just Don and a Chiuahua called Dulce
2003 39' Tradewinds LE
2002 Cavalier tow
Korean Veteran, USAF
FMCA F357981
CC4C
GOOD SAM

Life is a journey, not a destination !

Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Explorer
I'm glad that my manual says to level first, and then extend the slides. When I pull into an uneven site, I can hear the frame/components creaking, and can feel and see them torquing a bit. I'm not sure that I would want to extend the slides with the frame in that condition?
2008 Itasca SunCruiser 35L
2014 Honda AWD CR-V EX-L

pennysmom09
Explorer
Explorer
We level, then put out the slides, then make manual adjustments if needed. Sometimes the doors are swinging too much, even at "level", so we adjust for comfort.
Nancy and Doug
2015 KZ Durango 325RL FW

old_guy
Explorer
Explorer
it comes down to reading YOUR owner manual first before doing anything. some manufacturers say slides first then level and some are just the opposite. so if you want the correct procedure, read the manual first, that would be the correct answer

wildmanbaker
Explorer
Explorer
As many have said, do what the manufacture says. The reason for the different orders, has to do with the actual frames and slides. Some are very ridge and do not warp on uneven ground. The reason a lot of manufactures want it leveled first is, if the ground is uneven, it could twist the chassis enough to jam the slide(s). If extending the slides 2nd, causes the MH to be unlevelled, nothing prevents you from doing a manual touch to make it level. Cabinet doors and actual doors will also give a good indication of level.
Wildmanbaker

Campinghoss
Explorer II
Explorer II
I talked with Monaco a few years ago to make sure even though my owners manual said to put the slides out then level. They said slides out first were the correct way. I air up, retract the levelers and then put slides in when departing. It has to do with the engineering of the slide mechanisms as I was told. If in doubt give your mh techs a call.
Camping Hoss
2017 Open Range 3X 388RKS
MorRyde IS with disc brakes
2017 F-350 6.7 with hips 8'bed
Lucie our fur baby
Lucky 9/15/2007 - 1/30/2023

10forty2
Explorer
Explorer
I've only got the one slide, but have found that if I try to deploy it with the unit not level/stabilized it seems to bind slightly on the way out. Seems to me that it would be pretty easy for the independent suspension chassis to be slightly skewed due to the ground and cause such a big opening to be out of square/plumb, putting the slide mechanism in a bind. I would think leveling the coach first would take out most if not all skew and instability before trying to deploy the big, heavy slide(s).
1999 Holiday Rambler Endeavor, 36' Gasser
Triton V10, Ford F53 Chassis
-----------------------------------------

StuckinTracy
Explorer
Explorer
Our Monaco said to put the slides out, then level. I found what I liked to do was deploy the jacks until they just touched the ground, then put the slides out and auto level. I found it gave a bit more support when deploying the 4 slides, since you can't put them all out at the same time.
10 Rally's and counting...

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Gail ("I'M THE BOSS"-navigator)

Stuck in a tent but looking

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FMCA 370826

Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Explorer
Both of our slides are on the same side so they do change the slant but usually if it's close to level slides in, it won't change enough to worry about.
Jayco-noslide

bullydogs1
Explorer
Explorer
Wish we knew the coach he had..Entegra and TS are the same as the original HR and Monaco (not the new HR since ARG started building them)..in fact for my wife that's kind of a must..slides out first, then level and then slides come in last...With dogs it is a distinct advantage to have it that way..Thor, Fleetwood, Winne, Tiffin are all level first..not sure about Newmar..
Stuart and Stella Denning
2016 Entegra Aspire 42RBQ
The 3 Bulldogs (Daisy, Sylvie and Stashie)
2018 Equinox Diesel (TOAD)

Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Explorer
A lot of manufacturers want the body of the coach to be square which is why they want you to put the slides out first then level. Once you level, you could be making the frame of the slide a little less square but it's now locked in holding everything tight.

MM.
Mr.Mark
2021.5 Pleasure Way Plateau FL Class-B on the Sprinter Chassis
2018 Mini Cooper Hardtop Coupe, 2 dr., 6-speed manual
(SOLD) 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach, 45 ft, 500 hp Volvo
(SOLD) 2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42 ft, 425 hp Cummins