Forum Discussion

mrp116's avatar
mrp116
Explorer
May 06, 2013

Leveling TT in Driveway

Our driveway has a slope (incline from road to garage). From where the tongue will be to the bumper, I estimate the difference to be around 2.5'. What is the best way to try and level the TT in the driveway for loading, cooling the fridge, opening the slide etc. Obviously I will need to have some type of platform or something that I can slip under the tongue before unhitching, and use the tongue to raise/level the trailer. I will also need support under the front stabilizers. Is this even possible? The trailer is 31' 11" tongue to bumper, has an electric tongue jack and stabilizers, and a shipped from factory weight with full propane bottles around 5,800lbs (Jayco White Hawk 28dsbh).
  • mrp116's avatar
    mrp116
    Explorer
    May 07, 2013
    This is our first TT, we haven't been through PDI yet, and I just assumed that we'd need to be level to extend the slide. Thanks for that tip.
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    First, get very good wheel chocks to be very certain the trailer will not roll, or even slowly creep down the driveway. Next, make a very stable pad to support the tongue jack. I would buy 6x6 timbers, cut them in 32" sections. Put two sections on the ground about 20" apart. Then place two more sections and lay them on top of the first two at a 90 degree angle to the first two, again about 20" apart. Another 6x6 section on the top for the tongue jack.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    That is what the tongue jack is for but the ONLY reason you might need to have it level is when running the fridge. NOTHING wrong with opening or closing the slide without being level. Also no need to lower stab jacks just to load or unload the trailer. Hope you don't plan on lowering them if you stop at a grocery store along the route of stop to use the restroom while traveling.
  • dalenoel's avatar
    dalenoel
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2013
    If you are that far out of level and need to raise the tongue then you might end up putting the tail into the ground when level and will not get it up far enough.
  • subcamper's avatar
    subcamper
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2013
    with a trailer that far out of level, if you do level it remember that this will probably shift most of the weight to one of the axles (since your trailer is 30+ feet I assume it to be dual axle). I don't know if this will hurt the axles when parked, just something to think about.

    Steve
  • netaq's avatar
    netaq
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    Since it sounds like you've got a 2' plus gap to cover, the first thing that popped in my head was get an 8x8 post or two, cut it into blocks & add cheap fence handles, use a block to raise up the tongue, use blocks to stack up under the frame behind jack, retract tongue add another block or two & rejack to final height. Put a block under each stab jack if you need to use. Just don't put the bumper into the drive way.
  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2013
    First get some really good wheel chocks for both sides. then get as many thick boards as you need for the tongue and the front stabilizers. That is about all you need unless it needs leveling side to side as well, then you need more boards.

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