Camping while hitched...jacks up or down?

[3LittleDucks]

We got to our campsite late last night (after 10), and decided to stay hitched. I figured it was better to leave the jacks up in case we had to leave quickly (area had been under a severe weather watch, which caused our delay in departing). We have an HTT, but didn't deploy the bunk end. Anything wrong with doing this?

[atreis]

Whichever way makes you happy.

Up: Less setup, less to do before leaving, less noise (if applicable).

Down: Less movement of trailer.

Just remember, if you lower them, you have to raise them before leaving. 🙂

[mr__ed]

What a coincidence! I just overnighted at Grants, NM last night on the way to Albuquerque. Here's what I do during overnight stops: I lower the landing jacks just enough to take a little weight off the truck. That probably is not important but I feel the jacks provide some measure of stabilization, especially since I deploy the bedroom slide (the other slides I leave in).

[3LittleDucks]

Thanks guys, wanted to make sure it wasn't hard on the frame or axles or anything. Good to know!

[K3WE]

The OP asked if there was anything wrong with doing that.

As someone said, nope.

However, folk often do put the jacks/stabilizers down on an overnight for the sole purpose of stabilizing the camper while sleeping- if someone roams, the person trying to sleep won't feel every step.

But weather, late arrival and early departure are reasonable considerations to not put the stabilizers down.

[Ron3rd]

Personal preference, no right or wrong way. If we're leaving early in the morning, we won't put the jacks down. This assumes the rig is reasonably level (doesn't need to be perfect) when we pull in.

[Wishbone51]

It can be off buy a certain range, but the fridge need to be level... If you leave the fridge on with it not level, you'll notice that it is noticably warmer inside. Sometimes it takes a very long time to get back to temp.. I'm told if you leave it for too long, it will cause permanent damage.

If the front is too low, I disconnect the distribution bars, and jack the trailer up until it's level.. When I leave, I just lower it back down and reconnect.. really easy. If the front is too high, the only way to make it level is to disconnect. I once drove my truck onto some boards just so the rear of the truck would lower, so I could level my trailer without disconnecting.

[sleepyT]

Just a quick question about leaving the TV hooked up. If the camper is NOT completely level while still hooked up to the TV can that damage the refrigerator? I was under the impresion that the fridg has to be level.

[colliehauler]

If I do a quick overnite in Wallyworld I don't use jacks but do put the slide out.

[NanciL]

When I am just doing an overnighter I do that all the time

Jack L

[3LittleDucks]

Thanks for the info, good to know! 'Disco the electric' - great phrase!

[rockhillmanor]

silvercorvette wrote:
I rarely use the jacks just the landing gear, on this trip I do not have the option because I damaged the starboard jacks at a campsite with a steep hill with a narrow turn with no room for a wide swing....

I hit a flooded area with my first TT and didn't want to go thru it. The cop on the scene made me proceed directing me to the right of the road. I told him that without knowing where the curbs were I didn't want to damage my TT. I don't have to tell you who won that argument, and who lost the battle with damages. Jammed and bent my one jack when it hit the curb. 😞

[tomman58]

I do really long drives sometimes going across the USA, soooooooooooooo we get up really early and leave.
When we do this we have everything done, truck hooked up, jacks up , chocks out, all dumped and put away, water disconnected.
In the am we disco the electric, bring in the slides and are lonnnnnng gone in about 10 minutes, less if we don't do a thermo of coffee!

[skipnchar]

Not only nothing WRONG with it, it's a good idea. I have been caught with jacks down, utilities hooked up and unable to drive to the shelter when a tornado warning occurred. Any time my truck stays hitched it also stays ready to roll on a minutes notice from now on.

[silvercorvette]

I rarely use the jacks just the landing gear, on this trip I do not have the option becauseI damaged the starboard jacks at a campsite with a steep hill with a narrow turn with no room for a wide swing. I probably would use them since I will be hear a few weeks but can't until it is repaired