Truck/RV levellers?

[Powerstroke2000]

I thought I would see what some of you find most useful when it comes to levelling your truck when you get to a site! I was just on a recent trip, and I usually carry along some 2X10 wood blocks, but forgot them this time around. Trying to buy some along the way produced little results, as no one seemed to be stocking them (perhaps because it's still winter?)
At any rate, looking on Ebay, I see there are several brands/types, and wondered if any of you had found the 'ideal' levellers to run the truck up no to, to level the whole unit?
I'm finding even some of the paved sites in some State Parks are far from level!

Any info on these would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[jefe_4x4]

If i know the ground type on which we are expecting to camp, i make a decision on whether to take the levelr blocks or not. I have the 10 or 12 pack of orange plastic mesh blocks. Many times i have used all the blocks to try to level the rig. I have small RV bubble levels glued on the drivers rear and rear corners on the camper to check my work. My ace in the hole is I always take my jack block anyway. What is that? A stack of two 3/4" exterior grade plywood, cut to 12"x12" and glued and screwed together to form a platform for the jack on snow, sand, or mud. Since it's solid with no holes, it works in a variety of circumstances and fills in the gaps of the orange plastic blocks if the ground is not solid.
I do pick up lots of flotsam and jetsam within the interstices of the mesh which is annoying when you try to restack them. Also, mine are six years old and look like they've been thru the warz. I'm always trying to situate the camper as to have the front end slightly elevated for a better night's sleep. I've read on here it's the not having too much fore-to-aft angle that's important for proper fridge working and not the side-to-side angle. So, sometimes if we are leaning to the side a bit the Dometic ammonia exchange fridge won't complain.
jefe

[Redsky]

On our travels the most I have ever had to add under a wheel was 6" and that was an extreme situation. At a campsite the most I have had to adjust the height of a wheel was 3". I carry enough material to provide up to 4" of lift for two tires and even 3" would work well.

As long as nothing slides off the dinette table the camper is level enough for us.

[Raften]

bka0721 wrote:

Raften wrote:
Holy cow bka, where do you carry all that lumber?

While I understand you being incredulous, it is pretty simple. I have them notched, to fit together, in the space under my motorcycle, along the wheel track in my motorcycle trailer (the big blocks). My Plywood Sandwiches fit behind my air compressor and the 2X10 boards are stacked vertically in a 18ga Rubbermaid tub, that sits on the floor, of the trailer, next to my second motorcycle.

When I posted earlier, I wrote; 4-4X8, when actually it is; 2-4X8. Not that it makes much of a difference.

b

Ok, didn't catch the trailer part, thought you were carrying in just a TC. When I go fishing for two weeks I fill my boat with stuff. We take big lawn chairs, so much better than a folding chair.

[dakonthemountai]

hedge wrote:
Has anyone tried the Andersen levellers? Do you think they'd work with a truck camper? I like they idea that they are infinitely adjustable.

Andersen levellers

I like those a lot! I'd probably purchase them if I didn't already have my current set-up. Little pricy though, but I suppose over time if they last they'd be worth it. At least to me.

Dak

[niftypkg]

Walmart!

[brholt]

The state parks around here can be pretty bad (nice in a way because many people avoid those sites and some have great views). I carry 20 "Lego" blocks (and two stops) in the slide out tray of our AF camper. I've had to use nearly all of the Legos and release the fast guns and use the jacks (partially raising the camper off the truck bed) to get level at a few sites.

[jimh406]

I like the looks of the Anderson's. I have the yellow blocks and wood. I have to rethink the drw solution.

[AKSuperDually]

I've got a level app on my phone which has a omni-direction level. I place it on the center console of my truck, and find as close to level there as possible....and generally end up close enough to fine tune with the airbags and camper jacks.

The previous owners affixed a set of bubble levels on the side and tail of the camper....which I've found agree with an 18" carpenters level and my phone app when placed in the freezer flat.

[AKSuperDually]

hedge wrote:
Has anyone tried the Andersen levellers? Do you think they'd work with a truck camper? I like they idea that they are infinitely adjustable.

Andersen levellers

Great idea....I'd probably end up needing 3 minimum.

They're ~$45 a piece on Amazon....
http://www.amazon.com/Andersen-3604-Andersen-3604-Camper-Leveler/dp/B001GC2LVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394945464&sr=8-1&keywords=anderson+camper+leveler

I'm not sure they're worth that to me. I only pay $20 a pop for 10 of the lego blocks.

[stickbowjoe]

I can sit in the driver's seat of my truck and tell, really close, if I'm level.

I'm a level idiot savant, I reckon. And an excellent driver.

Dang sure close enough to spend a night. If I am going to spend multiple nights, i may refine.

The only aspect of level which is critical to me is that my head cannot be lower than my feet in bed. Not even by a half-inch.

My resourceful amazing self can even deal with that though!

I just gather up my pillow and carry it to the other end of the bed.

I used to use an 8" level to dial in for a multi-day camp, but I recently picked up a little square omni-directional level and stuck it on the kitchen counter.

It is annoying. Accurate but annoying. I just don't need to be that level.

Joe

[AKSuperDually]

I've got two sets of the camco lego blocks. Haven't broken any yet, but I do get rocks stuck in them a lot. I've ran out of blocks a few times. I plan to get 2 more sets before our big trip this next month. We'll have a support trailer, so storage isn't a big deal this time. I'm going to be looking for a better way to store them though. I'm thinking about a box on the back bumper, since they weigh next to nothing. I also use the truck airbags and camper jacks to fine tune after getting close with the blocks.

[hedge]

Has anyone tried the Andersen levellers? Do you think they'd work with a truck camper? I like they idea that they are infinitely adjustable.

Andersen levellers

[Carb_Cleaner]

+1 for the Camco Tri-Levelers.
I also carry a couple of screwed-2-high 2x8's and three or four single 2x8. You can use a single 2x8 on top of a Camco Tri-Leveler to create an infinetly variable ramp, and for extra height. I usually only use the 2x8 units. Unless, I need a lot of height or I want a ramp instead of a block. The wood pieces are stored outside, in the wheel well area, so cleanliness is less important. The pair of Tri-Levelers go in a plastic bag on the back seat, so I try to keep them clean. Their matrix of plastic will pick up an occasional pebble, but it's easy to dislodge them. Cleaning is easy because the plastic doesn't absorb water. They're a little heavy and bulky, but I like 'em.
The trailer gets 2x6 blocks. Enough to get the motorcycles out the ramp door.
I don't go Ape-poo about level, but after 25 years of carpentry, I can step back, look at it, make my block selection and get pretty level. Certainly between the lines, but, often, dead on. I carry my 2' level I use for hanging cabinets to check my eye, just for fun. Comfort isn't my main concern with level. Reading about a refrigerator's slow demise, from whatever it is that settles in the wrong places because they're un-level, gets my attention.

[Redsky]

The problem I have with the plastic ones is that they do not have a solid surface and so pick up gravel and dirt and whatever else is at the site. I have had problems though with 2x6 wood splitting and I want 1.5 inch increments so I may go to the plastic pads. There is a company in Canada that is making thick rubber ones that are made from used tires but I have not been able to find them in the lower 48.