Manual leveling

[time_traveler]

38 foot  5iver with double axle

When I need to raise one side for leveling should I put boards/blocks on both tires are only one?

Also where is the best location to place the level?

Any suggestions for type of level?

Thanks

 

 

[Chad Heiser]

Always support both tires on the side you are raising.  It is best for the trailer and it’s suspension.  I usually set the level on the floor inside the door of the trailer when I want to double check my trailers level.  My wife also likes to open the bathroom door about half way to see if it swings one way or the other on its own as a final test.  As for what type of level, any will work.  With a regular small level, you need to check one direction and then turn it 90 degrees and check the other direction.  With a small square bubble level with a circle in the center, you can get both directions at once without having to turn it.

Edited December 6, 2019 by Chad Heiser

[Carolaow]

If you have a smart phone, check for a leveling app.  My iPhone has a compass app that came standard and if you open it up then swipe left, the phone becomes a level.

[rickeieio]

For the most part, I agree with Chad, but sometimes you don't have the correct thickness board or other leveling device to put under all tires.  Putting slightly different thickness under tires shouldn't matter much, depending on what axles you have. 

We put up to 1 1/2" ( 2x10) different thickness under adjacent axles/tires, but no more.

[dennisvr]

With a tandem axle there's an equalizer between the springs that keeps the trailer somewhat level if one tire goes over a bump.  So by putting blocks under one tire really doesn't do much good.  It wont raise the rig much if at all.  So to answer your question, you should put blocks under the tires of both axles.

[rickeieio]

2 minutes ago, dennisvr said:

With a tandem axle there's an equalizer between the springs that keeps the trailer somewhat level if one tire goes over a bump.  So by putting blocks under one tire really doesn't do much good.  It wont raise the rig much if at all.  So to answer your question, you should put blocks under the tires of both axles.

Wouldn't placing an 1 1/2" board under 1 wheel raise the coach 3/4"? It always has for us.

[dennisvr]

It may raise it a little, but not the height of the block until you reach the max throw of the equalizer.  Easy way to check the distance is to put a block under "one" tire and measure then put a block under "both" tires and measure. 
 

[mptjelgin]

1 hour ago, rickeieio said:

Wouldn't placing an 1 1/2" board under 1 wheel raise the coach 3/4"? It always has for us.

Works for us.  We often have a slightly different height of block under one of the tandems to get the level "just right". 

[rickeieio]

Having a tri-axle, we played the block game to get it on the money, but after setting up a very unlevel site in Bandera, TX last winter, in rain at 36*, by myself, we had a bigfoot system installed.  The only blocks are under the feet.

[time_traveler]

Thanks for the info

 

 

[vermilye]

As long as you only need to go 2"-3", Anderson Levelers are a fast & easy way to do side to side leveling.

[Tim L.]

Interesting answers to your question. I certainly agree with levelors under both wheels. However, as to where to place the level, for me it depends whether you have a home type of refrigerator or an RV ammonia based fridge. I've only put the small square level with circle in the center on the base in the freezer. I then level to that. Knock on wood, I haven't had refrigerator problems with my ammonia cooling refrigerators. Please keep in mind, when I give anyone my free opinion, you get what you are paying for. . . .

 

[chirakawa]

I had a minor problem with my fridge once so I called Norcold technical support.  In the course of conversation, I asked about leveling.  He said that if you're comfortable walking in your RV, that's level enough for your fridge.

[rickeieio]

1 hour ago, chirakawa said:

He said that if you're comfortable walking in your RV, that's level enough for your fridge.

That's the same as the wording for our rv fridge in our unit.  I don't loose sleep over being a bit out of level.  Heck, I've been told I'm half a bubble off anyway.

[billr]

When we didn’t have auto levelers, I made a level board/ramp of sorts. 

Three boards 2x10s 

One long enough to be under both tires enough to make it easy.  Then two more screwed on top. Shorter lengths. All with 45* cuts on ends to allow ease of climb. 
 

 Back up on one board one tire, other tire on groundO.  Or same tire up two boards, other tire still on ground. Or, rear tire on third board and other tire on first   
 

Gives you three heights to adjust till level. 
small increments. Very easy. Quick. Can also add a separate board in front so front tire is on a board two. Gives a more fine tuned adjust. Rarely was needed. 
 

Used this setup over 20 years on three diff trailers. Never an issue 

 

[time_traveler]

I have another question re leveling my new to me 5iver

The front landing gear is electric and one  toggle button activates both legs at the same time.  Do I need to level each leg independently?  I.E put block under the shorter one if the ground was uneven at the front of the rig?  or does  the front landing gear self level? There is nothing in my owner's manual?

 

Thanks 

[rickeieio]

Yep, have an assortment of wood blocks handy.  We keep some in the front compartment.  A few pieces each of one inch and two inch should do nicely. It's also nice to have a couple pieces of 4x4 of 6x6.

[time_traveler]

The front landing gear has leg extension with several different holes as far as the length of the ext.

 I guess I could just extended one leg shorter or longer than the other?

[GlennWest]

I have seperate front langing legs also. Minior sise to side difference I level with the jacks. You are actuall twisting the frame doing this. But it is designed to fles some. Some is the key word though. If off badly I use wood under the wheels.

[2gypsies]

On 12/9/2019 at 8:34 AM, billr said:

When we didn’t have auto levelers, I made a level board/ramp of sorts. 

Three boards 2x10s 

One long enough to be under both tires enough to make it easy.  Then two more screwed on top. Shorter lengths. All with 45* cuts on ends to allow ease of climb. 
 

 Back up on one board one tire, other tire on groundO.  Or same tire up two boards, other tire still on ground. Or, rear tire on third board and other tire on first   
 

Gives you three heights to adjust till level. 
small increments. Very easy. Quick. Can also add a separate board in front so front tire is on a board two. Gives a more fine tuned adjust. Rarely was needed. 
 

Used this setup over 20 years on three diff trailers. Never an issue w

We did the exact same thing when we had a 5th wheel.  We learned about it at Escapade one year.  Works great!

[GlennWest]

That would not work with a 3 axle unit. Had that with the Drv and worked great. 

[hiljoball]

I once started to write an article for the Escapees magazine on blocking a trailer, but never finished it - there is more to blocking than just putting some planks under a tire.

 

Here are the key points - in the attached pdf - with photos!

Blocking a 5th Wheel.pdf

[time_traveler]

thanks