HOW do you level your rig?

HOW do you level your rig?

Postby Lopo » Thu Apr 25, 2013 7:23 pm

I told my DH I knew right where to find the answer to this - ask the women. My 20' class C has dual wheels on the rear. I've read not to try to use the plastic leveling thingies that Camping World sells. In "RV Basics," they say they have 4 2x8's with the ends cut at a 45º angle (cut to two different lengths), and then have various pieces of 1/2" plywood to stack on those if they need to. Holy Moly. I can probably managed to cut a 10' 2x8 into 4 pieces, but I don't think I can cut the 45º angles, but it does seem like it will be tricky to just drive up onto 2x8's stacked. And I won't have anyone to guide me. And I know myself well enough to know that tired after a long day on the road, I'm not likely to have the patience to mess with this. My fridge is one of the older ones, so there you have it. Guess I'll plan to replace it with an icebox (or use it as one!) if I ruin it. Of all the things ahead of me (most unknown, of course), this is a nagging worry. Please tell me exactly what you all carry with you and how you manage this leveling business. Oh, and I don't yet have wheel chocks. A couple of hunks of concrete block?

And yes, I am finally heading out this weekend for my first RV experience, cross-country for starters! Last summer, finding this forum was what convinced me that I was not crazy to want to do it!! Mwwaaa! :)
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby BirdbyBird » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:38 pm

Working backwards, I have a 22 ft Class C and don't have a chock for the wheels....I put the parking brake on when I park it. I suppose if I parked it on a big hill...but I don't know wy I would do that. :shock:

I use the orange blocks. It is easier to lift either of the wheels on the front end of course because those are single wheels. It takes twice the blocks to lift the wheels in the back but it is doable and becomes easier with practice. Even tired after driving all day, you can get pretty good at guessing how many blocks it take to make the bubbles go back in an acceptable range. I am setting up by myself most of the time. Again you get better and better at stopping on the center of the top block, in the mean time you get to climb in and out of the drivers seat checking and double checking if you are centered enough. :roll: If I know that I am going to be parked for a week I might level up small differences that for an overnight I don't bother with. If the site is too uneven I will go find a better site. The other advantage we have is that we have short vehicles and have more options within a site that might have some issues. :shock:

I remember a mini GTG with BJ at a state park with few level RV sites...luckily it was an off season and BJ and I both got to hunt before we landed.

I would think that the lumber pieces you mentioned would work just fine but I have limited linear storage and for me the blocks do fine. :)
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby Bethers » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:47 pm

I started out with 2 x whatevers but quickly learned those orange levelers are so much easier and lighter weight, so switched to them. My rig is 22 feet and I've been where I've needed all I've had with me, but most often can get level enough by just moving the RV around on the site I'm in.

Chocks are really for trailers, not class c or a. Not saying anybody can't use them chit there purpose is the tt and 5th wheel.

Not sure how old your fridge is, but you have to be pretty off level for it to effect it. If your comfortable in the rig, you should be level enough for the fridge.
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby Lopo » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:36 am

Thanks, both of you. I'm ordering the orange things from amazon right now. I assume that I will get it down fairly quickly, but right now, I swear this whole RV world is more complicated to learn than the language and culture of a foreign country! :)
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby Nasoosie » Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:03 am

I love my orange lego-like things, and have now bought two sets in case of really uneven ground. If I can get them to work, anyone can! By the way, WELCOME to the group/club, Lopo! Nice to see a new member posting!
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby Excel » Fri Apr 26, 2013 2:56 pm

I have levelers in my RV so don't need blocks or anything. But like Beth said, unless I'm really off I don't even use use the levelers. Sometimes moving the RV a little helps or if not, trying another site...but all in all if it's not too far off for the frig, I just don't worry about it....
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby JudyJB » Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:06 pm

I have the orange things, but it takes so many of them on the rear dual wheels that I went to Home Depot and asked them to cut a 2x10 into 18" lengths. They just did a straight cut, no angles, on the ends.

Actually I seldom level. If I can walk around without lurching, and it is not uncomfortable to be in bed, I just leave it as it is. I think 95% of all spaces are level enough for me. I have never had any refrigerator problems and was told by the manufacturer and the dealer that the new refrigerators are much less sensitive. I did put a set of levels on the left rear of my motorhome--one on the edge on the left side and one one the back right next to it. Easy to see this way how bad I am off of level.

The last couple of times I have used the 1x10 boards, I just put them in lengthwise because it was easier. Two boards were plenty for the one set of dualys that needed lifting a bit. I have never piled up plywood or anything on top of these.

I did ask for a second set of the orange plastic lego things, however, since they are easier to handle and lighter. I really need at least two sets, however, even to just raise of set of dual wheels and one single wheel.
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby Bethers » Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:33 pm

How many are in the sets you're buying Judy? I have 10 of them and have never needed more - same amount of wheels as you have? Two climb two high, takes 6 on the back and 3 on the front ... I guess if I needed to do both back sides, that would be 12, but that's not happened. Guess I've been lucky :)
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby BirdbyBird » Sun Apr 28, 2013 2:01 pm

I have two sets of orange blocks but then I parked in Sarah's drive way several years ago. :shock: With two set I still wasn't level but I didn't fall out of bed either. :lol: And yes, Sarah's hospitality is worth it! And as many of us have discovered over the years, if you choose a campground, she will come to find you in any of the Huntsville campgrounds and bring her goodies with her! :)
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby cpatinjones » Wed May 01, 2013 5:11 pm

I use the orange (2packs) and yellow (1 pack) plastic square blocks.
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Re: HOW do you level your rig?

Postby JudyJB » Wed May 01, 2013 10:48 pm

I have one set of 10, but I really need a second set. I have had a couple of instances where I needed three high on the duallys and really needed 6 for each wheel and only had 10. I like the planks I have because they are quick and easy to drive up on because I put them sideways, two together.
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