I have been pulling 5th wheels for the last 10 years and have went back to a travel trailer. I am having a heck of a time getting it level. Seems I get it level disconnect get it level up and down and put the slide out and we notice a day or so later it is of to the slide side. My question is could the slide be causing the trailer to be unlevel to that side when we put it out. Never had a problem with it on or last 5th wheel, but it had 2 slides on different sides.

Yup. We'll actually "level" the trailer with the driver's side slightly higher than the passenger side. Once the 3 slides are out on that side, it settles down a touch.

B-52G wrote:I have been pulling 5th wheels for the last 10 years and have went back to a travel trailer. I am having a heck of a time getting it level. Seems I get it level disconnect get it level up and down and put the slide out and we notice a day or so later it is of to the slide side. My question is could the slide be causing the trailer to be unlevel to that side when we put it out. Never had a problem with it on or last 5th wheel, but it had 2 slides on different sides.Thank you for your service.I would think if the stabilizers are deployed and the suspension is no longer part of the equation, there shouldn't be too much movement to cause an out-of-level issue unless your are getting an issue with the frame flexing a bit. Not sure.I would check the level on the frame itself and then compare it to when the slide is out and see if there is a variance.

I don't worry about it too much if you're slightly off level. I level the trailer side to side. Then unhitch and level front to back. Stabilizers out and then slide out, only have a single, large slide. If the trailer goes slightly off level where the slide side is lower, no worries as rain gets directed at the edge of the slide and not towards the slide seal.You trailer does not have to be perfectly level, pretty much just close enough to level is fine.

Yes, extending the slides will cause more weight on one side of the trailer and will cause it to lean, even though it was level before extending the slides.What you need to do is set up the camper and extend all the slides, then take a measurement how much out of level the entire camper is (with the slide out) .... and no jacks down.If it's off on one side by (say) 1.5 inches, then you know in order for the camper to be level after the slides are out, you need to raise the opposite side 1.5 inches BEFORE extending the slides. This mean, put blocks under the tires which will raise the leaning side UP 1.5 inches (before extending the slides). Now.... if you attach a bubble level, attach it at this point, with one side raised the 1.5 inches. Yes the trailer is unlevel. BUT!!! When you extend the slides, the weight of the slides will now cause that 1.5 inch raised side to squat, and it will NOW be level when you walk in it. (Now, you put your stablizer jacks down). Your bubble level will be way off. But the camper floor, refrigerator, doors, everything will be level.In time, you'll just be able to eye-ball the right-left level and probably wont' even need to use the bubble level any more. BUT... that's how you do it.Yes, it is very common with trailers with only 1 slide or 2 slides on one side only to squat on the heavy slide.Some folks put extra leaf springs on the heavy side of the camper to compensate for the lean. But if you want to go the cheap route, just put wood boards under the heavy side that squats.

I noticed over our years of RVing that I can have my rig as level as it can get on the first day, then after all the movement while using the trailer the pads will work their way into the ground some and the trailer will get a bit off. I just make adjustments and we go about our day. Only a couple times have I had to hook up and totally re do.....usually after a good rain and the ground softening up.

Leveling TT | Good Sam Community

Rustycamperpant
Explorer
Sep 27, 2017
gmw photos wrote:
Yep, on my travel trailer if it's exactly level when I park, then I know I need to run the streetside tires up on a couple pieces of 3/4" plywood I keep in the truck for that.

Extend slide out and it's now perfect left to right.

Here is my silly reason for getting it level: if it is slightly down on the streetside, I get a small puddle of water in the galley sink. Get it level and it all runs into the drain.

Not so silly to me, I purposely have the hitch slightly high and street side slightly low so water flows the right direction in the tub/shower. :)
B-52G
Explorer
Sep 26, 2017
Thanks everyone one for the advise. Going out tomorrow and will try some of it and see how is goes.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Sep 26, 2017
afidel wrote:
RedRocket204 wrote:
rbpru wrote:
I was told the frig needs more than a 3 degree of tilt before it has problems.

If true, that sounds like a significant tilt to me.

Agreed.

Some more food for thought... I leave my fridge running on propane while traveling and I've gone over 10 degree grades and the fridge continues to run.

Now, I'm not condoning letting the fridge run for long stretches at such an angle but I question the "degree" of debate that goes on about making sure things are perfectly level for the fridge.

Driving is different because the splashing and sloshing keeps the crystals from forming that cause the damage.

Gotcha and thanks for the info.
troubledwaters
Explorer III
Sep 26, 2017
Across a 8-foot wide trailer, 3 degrees is equal to about 5 inches. So if side to side you are off by no more than 5 inches you are fine. For comfort, if your within 1-inch to 1-1/2 inch you probably wouldn't even notice it and I wouldn't worry about it.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Sep 26, 2017
Yep, on my travel trailer if it's exactly level when I park, then I know I need to run the streetside tires up on a couple pieces of 3/4" plywood I keep in the truck for that.

Extend slide out and it's now perfect left to right.

Here is my silly reason for getting it level: if it is slightly down on the streetside, I get a small puddle of water in the galley sink. Get it level and it all runs into the drain.
afidel
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2017
RedRocket204 wrote:
rbpru wrote:
I was told the frig needs more than a 3 degree of tilt before it has problems.

If true, that sounds like a significant tilt to me.

Agreed.

Some more food for thought... I leave my fridge running on propane while traveling and I've gone over 10 degree grades and the fridge continues to run.

Now, I'm not condoning letting the fridge run for long stretches at such an angle but I question the "degree" of debate that goes on about making sure things are perfectly level for the fridge.

Driving is different because the splashing and sloshing keeps the crystals from forming that cause the damage.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 26, 2017
3 degrees off may cause your eggs to slide out of the pan and onto the floor! Pancake batter may spill over the top of the pan, and a glass of beer may foam over the lip of the glass! Want to guess what happens with a 3 degree "tilt" when a guy stands in front of the royal throne after drinking that 3 degree tilt beer!
RedRocket204
Explorer
Sep 26, 2017
rbpru wrote:
I was told the frig needs more than a 3 degree of tilt before it has problems.

If true, that sounds like a significant tilt to me.

Agreed.

Some more food for thought... I leave my fridge running on propane while traveling and I've gone over 10 degree grades and the fridge continues to run.

Now, I'm not condoning letting the fridge run for long stretches at such an angle but I question the "degree" of debate that goes on about making sure things are perfectly level for the fridge.
rbpru
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2017
I was told the frig needs more than a 3 degree of tilt before it has problems.

If true, that sounds like a significant tilt to me.
Jayco254
Explorer
Sep 26, 2017
If left alone after the initial leveling, can it get far enough out that if your refridgerater is in that slide, it can cause a problem ?

Forum Discussion

Leveling TT

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Acceptable humidity level inside TT for winter storage?

Level

Leveling

Leveling chocks

Leveling