unlevel ground

[Brauma]

I apologize if this has been covered before but I felt the need to post.

One of my biggest headaches is setting up in a spot thats pretty unlevel. Not having a small grade but really unlevel. It seems that most camping spots should be somewhat level but my experience is that most aren't.

So, in preparation for our upcoming trip this wknd, I found a really crappy spot in our backyard and set my PuP up there!!    Don't know I didn't think of doing it before. Practice makes perfect.

I've added a 6" level to my setup routine that has a magnet on one side so I can mount it on my frame while lowering down the tongue. This speeds things up considerably.

Now watch, the spot I get this wknd will be perfectly level.  :p

[brainpause]

Interesting to practice - but if you are doing it correctly, it shouldn't be hard at all.

First, DO NOT use your corner stabilizers as "jacks", as they are often called. They are to be used (to stabilize the trailer) only after your trailer has been leveled properly.

Second, you should level left-to-right using the wheels. Don't worry about front to back yet. Just keep it hitched up and guesstimate using your level how many blocks you'll need. With a little practice, I have rarely had to add or subtract blocks.

Third, after you have leveled left-to-right, chock the wheels, unhitch, and level front-to-back using your tongue jack.

It really makes it easy doing it this way. I have leveled our popup a time or two using the corner jacks. It was difficult, to say the least, and the door wouldn't fit properly. Glad I know now the correct method!

Larry

[austinado16]

I love these leveling threads.

Hey, did somebody say, "chock the wheels before unhitching from the TV?" :yikes:

You might enjoy the BAL leveler.  Best $53 you'll spend on your rig.

Park in the spot you want, slide the BAL leveler under the low side wheel, lift the low side until you're level shows you're level left-to-right, chock the other wheel, unhitch, and then level front to back with the tongue wheel.

Then put down your stabilizers and deploy the canvas!!

[flyfisherman]

Save the $53.00 for fishing tackle ... or most of it anyway.

Three things you'll need for leveling the camper ~
1) a level ... you already have that
2) a G.I. entrenching tool ... maybe ten bucks
3) a couple pieces of scrap lumber, a 2X6 and a 1X6, maybe a foot long ...free

 You'll be able to level your camper just about anywhere



Fly

[Brauma]

I forgot to mention - I have the wrong tongue jack on my camper. This is something I fully intended to replace before this trip but (I have no excuses/cant explain) it didn't happen.

The tongue jack on my camper is an aftermarket installed by the previous owner. It doesn't go down far enough. So if I'm in a spot that's high in the front, I cant get the tongue down far enough to be level.

I'm fixing that on this trip by taking a small jack to place under the ball hitch and lower down further. Worked great. But bottom line, I'll find the correct jack and get it installed ASAP!!!!

Larry, yes, the previous owner went to great pains to explain to me about the stabilizers on the corners. He put the fear of God in me about not using them as jacks. So this is something I've always remembered. Of course I've met many people on trips who said "We use them to jack up the camper all the time".

As far as the nifty Lynx blocks or other store-bought levelers, I may break down and buy a set in the future. But right now it seems I always have something else to invest $30 - $53 on just before the trip: food, Baileys, beer   .  I have an elaborate collection of random sized old decking boards that I use for levelers and "corner blocks" for the stabilizer's pads.

Thanks for the input. Although I've had the camper for a few years, we've only gone out on a couple trips a year. So I still feel like a rookie. I simply dont go enough to get better at it. See my signature line. Seems when I tent camped it was so easy. I just chucked everything in the back of the truck and went! Done. There's so many more things to think about with the PuP. I'll get there. It just takes time.

 :-()

[flyfisherman]

My '99 Starcraft, Venture series, came with a Shelby jack, model #5791 - rated for 2,000 lbs) ~

http://www.shelbyindustries.com/trailerjacks.html

I'm sure if you called Starcraft tech services they could tell you exactly what was OEM for your particular PU.



Fly

[Brauma]

Thanks!!

Do you have a number for Starcraft tech services?

[bonscott]

I've never actually camped at a spot that is really unlevel.  When I book a site I always check the site description for how level it is.  But then again the Michigan state park system has a description of every site when you search and reserve so I make sure not to get a really unlevel or one marked "best for tents only".  Most private parks are pretty level overall.

Most unlevel I've been is needing to be jacked up about 4 inches.  No problem with my BAL.  Takes 10 seconds to raise it up with my drill.  Done.  

[coach]

I've never actually camped at a spot that is really unlevel.  When I book a site I always check the site description for how level it is.  But then again the Michigan state park system has a description of every site when you search and reserve so I make sure not to get a really unlevel or one marked "best for tents only".  Most private parks are pretty level overall.

Most unlevel I've been is needing to be jacked up about 4 inches.  No problem with my BAL.  Takes 10 seconds to raise it up with my drill.  Done.  

I can't put it in park, unbuckle, get out of the TV in 10 seconds. Then there is that first cold one. I'm glad my camping experience isn't a timed event or I would loose.  :-()