Off Truck Camper Leveling

[egarant]

Hi,

We are all aware of keeping the front of the camper 4-6" higher than the rear when taking the camper off or putting it back on the truck.

My question is if it is OK to level the unit for camping use when it is on the ground. Even though I do like my head a bit above my feet, I would think you would have to level it in order for the fridge and other appliances to work properly.

[AH64ID]

Raften wrote:

ah64id wrote:
I have seen them tipped from a level stance with 2 people sleeping and a good gust of wind on the back. Physics is physics, its amazing how much weight is added to the rear with a small increase in front height.

I take that to mean you have seen TC's tipped forward and hitting the ground with the nose. Is that what you are saying?

Yes, and to clarify I saw the aftermath not the actual incident.

To me it's too easy to give the front jacks a few inches of added height to transfer some weight aft. It's such a small incline the fridge won't care and it's not uncomfortable.

[Raften]

ah64id wrote:
I have seen them tipped from a level stance with 2 people sleeping and a good gust of wind on the back. Physics is physics, its amazing how much weight is added to the rear with a small increase in front height.

I take that to mean you have seen TC's tipped forward and hitting the ground with the nose. Is that what you are saying?

[AH64ID]

I have seen them tipped from a level stance with 2 people sleeping and a good gust of wind on the back. Physics is physics, its amazing how much weight is added to the rear with a small increase in front height.

Very similar to have a TT that's 1 or 2" above level, the amount of tongue weight really increases.

The length and design of a camper will also have an effect. A Lance 850 is probably more susceptible to tipping than an 1191. Also a camper with empty fresh/grey/black tanks is also easier to get the balance off.

If the jacks are 8' apart the front jacks are 2" higher than the rear it's just over 1° of slope.

Norcold want the fridge to be within 3° of level side to side and 6° front to back (looking at the door).

If the jacks are 8' apart 3° means the front jacks would be 5" higher, more than I would say is needed.

[NRALIFR]

Personal experience (Empirical evidence) trumps the manual, especially when death and destruction don't result from said experience.

Low to the ground and level is good for me.

:):)

[Super_Dave]

Anyone want to guess who writes content like that in a manual?

[Raften]

ah64id wrote:

Raften wrote:
Fine to sleep up there off the truck while level but it might tip while loading/unloading?

Your not supposed to sleep in it while level, the front is supposed to be higher.

Per the Lance manual for my dads 2012 the front should always be higher than the rear. To me always is always, full down on jacks, loading/unloading, sleeping, storing, etc.

The common concept is the camper should be level for proper refrigeration. Level is level but does Lance give a number in degrees as to how much the front should be raised? I'll be the first to admit I hardly ever do more than eyeball how level the TC is but just saying raise the front is a little sketchy.

[DesertDave100]

When I store my camper I lower it onto a platform of two 4X4 posts that I have on jackstands. This takes a portion of the load off the jacks and makes the camper feel rock solid, for any of the activities I might do when it is off the truck, maintenance, cleaning, use. It is level by the bubble levels I use.

When raising it or lowering it I make sure to keep it level or slightly front up.

[AH64ID]

Raften wrote:
Fine to sleep up there off the truck while level but it might tip while loading/unloading?

Your not supposed to sleep in it while level, the front is supposed to be higher.

Per the Lance manual for my dads 2012 the front should always be higher than the rear. To me always is always, full down on jacks, loading/unloading, sleeping, storing, etc.

[Super_Dave]

I think my jacks are rated at 1,500 lbs/each. My camper weighs (dry) about 3,000 lbs. So, theorhetically, I could balance the entire camper on 2 jacks. Seems like there is enough safety factor built into the jacks to not worry about front versus rear.

[Raften]

billtex wrote:

Raften wrote:
I have never understood the why of keeping the front higher when loading/unloading.

Read the manual for your jacks...there is a greater load on the front..you don't want to increase the lever arm further by having the nose down. Always keep the front 2"-4" higher than the rear.

HJ manual

Sorry, I don't buy it. Fine to sleep up there off the truck while level but it might tip while loading/unloading? My more pressing concern is the stability side to side while jacks are extended, not fore and aft.

Another way of looking at it look at the mass of the cab over as opposed to the mass of the rest of the TC. Not to mention the weight of waste tanks when in use and the weight of the propane tanks and if built in the weight of the gen set. Plus the kitchen and all the stuff stored in the cabinets.

[billtex]

Raften wrote:
I have never understood the why of keeping the front higher when loading/unloading.

Read the manual for your jacks...there is a greater load on the front..you don't want to increase the lever arm further by having the nose down. Always keep the front 2"-4" higher than the rear.

HJ manual

[Redsky]

The front jacks have the weight of the cabover section extending out to the front, unlike the rear jacks. I have stood on the this section and could feel the front of the camper move from the leveraged weight.

It is also 4" higher at the very ends of the camper and not at the front jacks compared to the rear jacks which would create double the slope.

[Raften]

I keep one side lower when off the truck so water will drain to the side opposite the slide. Of course that is for rain, but what is rain in CA these days.

[hedge]

Id worry about the 4" higher with the jacks extended but not when lowered

[Super_Dave]

K Mac wrote:

Raften wrote:
I have never understood the why of keeping the front higher when loading/unloading.

X 2

A bi-product of the nose heavy paranoid.

I try to keep the front higher in storage simply to create a better run off slope for rain to prevent any ponding.