Levelers and leveling

[JudyJB]

While I am researching Class Cs online, I notice that some of them offer automatic levelers for around $3,000 extra. That is a lot of money. some of them don't mention what kinds of levelers they have at all, so I assume they must be "manual," whatever that means. Also, my son and his wife rented a 10' popup (or is it popout) trailer that had two beds slide out on either end. He said it didn't even come with a level so he said he had to bring his own. This meant he had to keep checking it and running outside to jack up the various ends or sides. (They have three kids ages 4, barely 3, and 20 months, so his wife was busy inside corralling kids.)

Admittedly, this was a small, inexpensive trailer, but it got me to thinking. WHat does it involve when you pull up somewhere, assuming a relatively level gravel pad, and you have "manual" or the standard leveling jacks???

FYI, they also could not reach the sewer with their 10" connection so they learned fast that his wife could not take her usual showers!

Thanks

[Gentleladybear]

I have a class C, no automatic levelers. I carry a couple of bags of leveling blocks. I can stack them up and drive up on to the stack. I place a level on the floor and if the back is too low the levelers go in the back. If the front, or one corner or the other is too low I put the blocks there and drive up. So many of the parks have concrete slabs and usually no leveling is required. Don't stress out on the leveling blocks, the older units they hd to worry about the fridge but that is not a problem with the newer units.

Nan

[flick4411]

Judy

I have a Class C with automatic levelers. I push a button and they come down one at a time, and they balance as required til the rig is level. I love them. Now the problem that many have aside from the cost (mine were included when I bought the rig) is the additional weight. If you plan to run with a lot of storage items and full tanks, this added weight can be problematic. I don't carry a heap of extra stuff and I ensure that the tanks are empty (except for the propane) before I start out on a trip. I have just a little bit of water in the water tank so I can keep water in the toilet and J-pipes in the sinks to keep the smells where they belong.

It is true that you can use the drive on levelers, and I believe I may have gone that route if the system hadn't been on board already. Now that I have them, I can't imagine being without them. I drive in, put on the parking brake, then go to the leveler panel, and push the button. I let it figure out where to level, but I have the option of manually adjusting if necessary. So far, there have been no problems. There are some minor maintenance issues; have to keep the leveler oil up and ensure the leveler springs are working properly. Since I've not used the rig too often yet, I have not had the need to "maintain" the levelers.

If you can afford them, I say thumbs up! But the extra cost and weight must be considered thoroughly. If you have any questions, let me know. Good luck with the search!

[Excel]

My rig came equipped with the automatic levelers also and I love them. If you can afford the $$$, they're worth it....

[Bethers]

If I ever buy a rig with automatic levelers, I'm sure I'll like them. Meantime, I have one bag of the orange stackable thingies, and have level thingies on one side and the back of my rig which I check to see how level I am. If I bought another rig, and they weren't in places that work for me, would have those added - cost a couple dollars. I don't have trouble getting level enough so the automatic ones aren't important to me. That said, I wouldn't turn them down Now, I have been in big rigs that "re-level" every time a new person comes onboard, etc. That might drive me nuts - although I'm sure I'd get used to that also.

[HorizonSeeker]

I have a small class C similar to Beth's rig. No leveling jacks but I have the levels on side and back. I also have the bag of blocks but like Nan seldom need them. About the only place I have to use them is in my backyard since I live on a hill with little level ground. Most of the parks I've visited so far have had really level sites. Once I was checking in at a park and the manager asked if I had a preference of site. I don't care if it's pull through or back in just so long as it's level. Don't know why she didn't laugh at that. My rv is new to me, but if I did buy a newer model and it happened to have levelers I wouldn't pass it up. Meantime, I just don't see the need.

[Ladyhawk]

I have a C without automatic levelers (I have the orange lego blocks). I've only been in one campground where the blocks weren't enough to level the RV and I spent the weekend "climbing" to the bedroom. On the upside, I could just slide back out in the morning. A neighbor said that being that unlevel was bad for my slide, but there wasn't a lot I could do about it at the time.

[Paulette]

JMHO, buy the levelers! Well worth every penny. My first rig didn't have them so I have used the blocks before. What a pita! This righ has them and if ever I get another rig it will have them or I will have them installed.

[Travelinana]

Levelors are not top priority. I try to park on level spots but the little orange things work too. I am now looking out at Destiny buried in my yard. My lead footed mf insisted on moving it out of the front yard, it had been raining but I do believe I could have inched it out of the yard and back into the garage. He is super to me but the guy can't drive..ok he drives okay other can following too closely but he manages to get dings and dents. I have forbidden him to drive my new to me truck and I think today I'm adding Destiny to the list. Now, for the other tech matters, I am waiting for a tech to come see what's wrong with my computers. I still think the problem with my 'vital' computer at my desk is Hughes Net's problem but we'll see. This one has been crashing. I have been told to prepare to buy another as it might be the mother board..again we'll see!! Better check my credit on my card, might be buying a computer..Oh well, it's a write off