leveling on steep drops

[wingnut60]

Just returned from 3+ weeks on business and vacation. At Colter Bay in Grand Teton Park, I was assigned a space that dropped off enough in the front area that I was unable to raise my trailer enough to level it. Finally got there by placing a jack under the factory hitch to keep the truck from squatting when the pin weight was placed on the fiver hitch. Thus, I was able to use extra wood blocks to gain the height I needed. What do most of you do when faced with this--seems like the factory legs are limited to about 12" of travel. Couple of other fivers seemed to have almost twice as much travel. Am I looking at this wrong? Even with the leg extensions, I only have the built-in travel of the hydraulics, and it wasn't enough.
Since I'm new to this problem, am I missing a simple solution?
Appreciate any help.
Joe

[keithandpenne]

wingnut60

This is one of the problems with the early hydraulic legs with the 12" rams. I think they made the switch to the long rams with the 24+" travel sometime in 05. Our TK3 is SN #1855, delivered Dec 20, 04.

I have only had two campground sites that I could not get leveled on but we were able to switch to another site. On one, I could not raise the front enough and the other, I could not drop it enough.

Side note, I have had a couple of sites in which I had to put extra blocking under the rear stabilizers in order for them to reach the ground with their limited length travel.

[2 DA WDS]

I ran into a unique situation where I had to pull over the rool boll of a tree with my tv after unhooking. I had to raise the front of the MS quite a bit so the bed wouldn't hit the underside. Then it would not lower enough to level so (don't try this at home) I supported the MS with my stabilizer tripod and raised the legs and pulled the blocks out. Had to do it twice and it held but I was sure nervous. When I hooked back up I was able to get the tv in a position to put blocks to support the pin in the bed then lift the legs to put blocks under them to get the height to the hitch.

[bstark]

I have a full 6" suspension travel when I dump air. That feature came in handy to help out a fellow Mobile Suiter who's legs wouldn't lift his trailer (early 2200 pump) by backing under with the truck lowered and blocking under his pin then airing up my truck which lifted his trailer so he could drop his legs another 6" to get his truck under.

It's kinda neat what you can do when you're desperate! 8)

[billr]

Joe, We too had the early 05 front rams, and I believe they did have a shorter throw. There were times I had the same issue as you had.

Both of our failed (leaking on the retract side and dropping while towing) replaced with the newer rams that were much larger in size and I'm pretty sure they have more travel then the previous ones. We have no problems now getting level, and no need for extra wood anymore.

Tom, You are a brave man!!! :shock: :shock: but I like it!! :lol:

Cheers,
Bill

[wingnut60]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies.

So...looks like the problem IS lack of vertical travel the MS has addressed in later models? What is invovled in getting the longer rams installed? Factory job only? So far, not had any hydraulic problems except the pin drops when you first try to raise it--guess that is a recognized problem with the earlier trailers?

Joe

[billr]

My dealer did mine when they failed, but took them about 12hrs. They are very long and they use a pit to pull them out. Then there is a lot of bleeding req after to get the air out. Took about a month on the road to get the rest of the air out as well.

I would think that DT is set up to do it as well as Lippert. You may want to call Lippert and explain what is happening. they may cover the replacments under warranty. Lippert would be the best choice I think.

cheers,
Bill