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Leveling TC?

dlduke01
Explorer
Explorer
I am curious if I can use my electric jacks to level camper while still attached to truck when camping. Or should I just use them to stabilize camper? My old camper had manual jacks so I never tried. My new camper has electric jacks so I thought I may use them more.
Thanks
2007 Ford f 350 crewcab longbed srw 4x4 4" bds lift w/ 35" Nitto Trail Grapplers
2005 lance 920 loaded with sofa bed combo
2003 jeep rubicon 4.5" with a bunch of extra bells and whistles
12 REPLIES 12

basslbbig
Explorer
Explorer
I use 2x8's under tires to get close then fine tune with jacks.
2005 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 SB SRW,Rancho 9000,HM Stableloads,Hellwig SB
2001 Fleetwood Angler 8C
2006 19' Reinell
1969 Z28 Camaro

gpascazio
Explorer
Explorer
I will look for a level site and use blocks (2x12 cut to fit dually wheels)as needed then fine tune with the jacks. I used to unhook and level with the jacks but I found that the camper would move in the bed, even with just unloading the suspension.
2008 Ford F350 dually
6.4 L Diesel
2010 Eagle Cap 1160
300 W of Solar Panels

dlduke01
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks! I was thinking pretty much what most of you guys are. Get it pretty much level and fine tune with jacks taking the weight off the suspension.
2007 Ford f 350 crewcab longbed srw 4x4 4" bds lift w/ 35" Nitto Trail Grapplers
2005 lance 920 loaded with sofa bed combo
2003 jeep rubicon 4.5" with a bunch of extra bells and whistles

bobndot
Explorer II
Explorer II
I found a nice level spot where the rig was level and mounted small N/S/E/W level on my overhead truck console. Whenever I park , I park it as level as possible by viewing the interior levels.
If I have to, I use a ramp style block under the tires.
I don't fine tune anymore with the jacks because I don't feel the need to. My trucks suspension seems to be stiff enough .

work2fish
Explorer
Explorer
SugarHillCTD wrote:

I found that the hard, flat part of the front seat armrest is in the same plane as the floor of the TC.
I put my Iphone on its internal level function and place it on the armrest and very slowly back up into where we want to park. I watch the Iphone and stop at zero.


Great idea, thanks for pointing this out.
2011 Ford F-350, KR, 6.7L, 4X4, SRW, short bed
2007 Northstar 850SC truck camper
2002 Lund Fisherman 1700 w/ Suzuki DF140

MN_Ben
Explorer
Explorer
Grit dog wrote:
MN Ben wrote:
Just un hook the tie downs and level as needed.


Really?
Why not just get the truck close with a few 2x6 blocks and then run the jacks down to stabilize?
Unhooking and raising partially off the truck bed just makes the camper unstable and sway more.


That's a good idea too.
2006 F350 Dually PSD
2008 Keystone Laredo 29RL 5th Wheel

2002 F250 7.3 PSD -SOLD
2004 Lance 1130 -SOLD
2005 Lance 981 -SOLD
2000 Lance 1010-SOLD
199? Texan 650 -SOLD
Ford FX4 Ranger -SOLD

SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Explorer
We have leveled both ways. Typically I try to get the truck as level as possible as I pull into a site. Then stabilize with either the two front or rear jacks.

I found that the hard, flat part of the front seat armrest is in the same plane as the floor of the TC.
I put my Iphone on its internal level function and place it on the armrest and very slowly back up into where we want to park. I watch the Iphone and stop at zero.


I have read where others state that if the jacks are down you MUST release the tiedowns, in case a tire goes flat during the night. That very remote possibility would leave the truck hanging by the tiedowns. I have never lost sleep over not doing that.
John & Cathy
'12 Chevy 2500HD CC 4x4 sb
'16 Cougar 25RKS w/ Andersen rail mount
'13 Eagle Cap 850 (sold). B4 that a few other TCs and a TT

wcjeep
Explorer
Explorer
I get as close as possible with blocks, then adjust airbags. I'll use jacks to level if it's half a bubble. More than half a bubble will need more plastic blocks. I also have an onboard air compressor (Air Zenith).

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Try to get the truck as level as possible and use the jacks to do the fine tuning. If you are just unloading the suspension, you do not need to unhook the tie downs. We can get pretty level just driving to a selected spot, but usually drop the rear jacks to keep the truck suspension form moving while we are in the camper.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
MN Ben wrote:
Just un hook the tie downs and level as needed.


Really?
Why not just get the truck close with a few 2x6 blocks and then run the jacks down to stabilize?
Unhooking and raising partially off the truck bed just makes the camper unstable and sway more.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Super_Dave
Explorer
Explorer
Lots of differing opinions on this one. Depending on how out of level my pad is, I'll either use the jacks to level and stabilize entirely or I'll drive a tire or two on a block and then finish off with the jacks. Disconnect ttie-downs to be safe.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Rig: 2018 Big Country 3155 RLK
Boat: 21' North River Seahawk

MN_Ben
Explorer
Explorer
Just un hook the tie downs and level as needed.
2006 F350 Dually PSD
2008 Keystone Laredo 29RL 5th Wheel

2002 F250 7.3 PSD -SOLD
2004 Lance 1130 -SOLD
2005 Lance 981 -SOLD
2000 Lance 1010-SOLD
199? Texan 650 -SOLD
Ford FX4 Ranger -SOLD