How to level an Rpod on non-level ground? |
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Ben Herman
Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 355 |
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Topic: How to level an Rpod on non-level ground? Posted: 26 Sep 2021 at 12:22pm |
I rely on two things - 1) a pair of levels screwed to the trailer (one in front for side to side) and one on the side for front to back. I don't recall the brand, I can go look if you want, but what I like about the ones that I have is that they show you how many inches off level you are. 2) A bunch of the plastic interlocking blocks ( I have several dozen). First thing that I do when I pull (or back) into a site is check the side to side level. If it shows me to be 2 inches off, I use two plastic blocks under the wheel that is low (actually, I use 4; two high x two, to capture the full width of the tire). Each block is 1 inch high, so its easy to determine how many to use. I put them in front of (or behind) the tire, depending whether I am backing up or pulling forward, then get the tire up on the blocks. I then chock the wheels, and unhitch the trailer. Front to back is easy, just use the tongue jack to raise or lower the front as needed to get the trailer level front to back. Once that is done, I lower the stabilizer jacks to get it solidly in place. The stabilizers are not meant to raise or lower the trailer, just to get it solidly in place. The whole operation maybe takes 5 minutes. We rarely camp in commercial campgrounds, so almost always are dealing with non-level sites.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2021 at 9:04am |
I use one of the Hopkins RV Smart-Level devices. I used double-sided tape instead of screws, so I use a thin shim to make sure it sits square with the wall for side-to-side leveling. Front to back does not need that. It isn't perfectly accurate, but it is very close. It also can be seen by the driver in the rear-view mirror. The lights make it easy to use. Just remember to remove it from the holder when done and don't try to drive with it attached. It isn't made for that. I found mine at Walmart. eTrailer has it also for the same price. Don't be put off by the low reviews. Most of those are operator error. Use of a better adhesive like the 3M ones made for outdoors will make sure it doesn't become unstuck. Mine has been on for multiple years now.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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TheBum
Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 2016 at 4:53pm |
If the trailer is within 1 degree of level, I won't bother trying to get it perfectly level.
I had previously used the BAL leveler, but it's way too labor intensive if you need to raise it up much. On our last outing, we used the Andersen 3604 leveler and it worked great. As for level indicators, we started out with Hopkins bubble levels, but the glue gave out on one of them (the tube fell off and we never found it) and the other exploded due to solar radiation. We're now using Sun Lev-o-Gage levels, which use a ball bearing in an oily substance. They handle solar heat much better than a bubble level does. https://smile.amazon.com/Company-306-R-Lev-o-gage-Inclinometer-Gauge/dp/B003D2AVMO |
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kent l
Newbie Joined: 03 May 2016 Location: Huntsville Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 17 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 2016 at 8:08pm |
For leveling I use my I phone with the level app. It is works good and I do not have to travel with a level
Just put in the side of the trailer and get it level. Then on the tongue to get the the other part of it right |
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ronahue
Senior Member Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 316 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 3:11pm |
I agree with techntrek leveling is not a big deal.
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Ron & Sharon
2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 2:36pm |
Never any need to dig. Also impossible on pavement. As soon as you are almost done backing up pull out your level to check side to side, add blocks behind the low wheel and finish backing up. Chock the wheels, unhitch, check for level front to back, adjust tongue jack, done.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Online Posts: 1446 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 10:08am |
A word of caution: Be very sure to carefully chock both wheels before unhitching on terrain that's sloped front to back, especially if one side is higher than the other. Just a little movement can cause the tongue to move left or right as it comes off the ball. You can end up with your trailer rolling down hill.
TT |
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
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ronahue
Senior Member Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 316 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 10:03am |
I carry a 2' carpenters level and level left to right then front to back (I use the seams in the floor to confirm my level is properly placed). This year I after leveling with the carpenters level I tried using the bubble level that comes with my iPhone simply placing it on the counter top by the sink in our r-179. It agrees with the carpenters level every time. I haven't got the nerve to leave the carpenters level home yet. By the way the iPhone level can be used against the refrigerator to check for plumb and level as it becomes a stick level when held vertically.
PS: Before you ask, to get to the iPhone level open the compass and swipe right to left with your finger.
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Ron & Sharon
2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 9:25am |
We actually encountered one of the level sites this year. Some of the time, there is at least some minimal leveling required. Other times, significant leveling is required.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 9:02am |
BTW.. leveling front to back and side to side is normal. In hundreds of campsites, only once or twice has the site been naturally level.
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