Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-10-2007, 02:51 PM   #1
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
leveling on steep drops

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
__________________

__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2007, 06:53 PM   #2
keithandpenne
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 292
Front leg travel

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.
__________________

keithandpenne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2007, 09:16 PM   #3
2 DA WDS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 527
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.
__________________
Happy Trails To You
Tom & Cheryl Brockman S.O.I.T.C. Charter Member
2015 39DBRS3, Truma water heater, 2inch lift, custom paint
2011 RAM Cummins 3500 Dually
2 DA WDS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2007, 10:27 PM   #4
bstark
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fergus, Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 1,000
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!
__________________
Sandra, Bruce
bstark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2007, 10:44 PM   #5
billr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 857
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!!! but I like it!!

Cheers,
Bill
__________________
Bill and Joan
4 Collie pups
05 M/S 38RL3 #2046
01 Volvo VNL770
05 Smart Passion Loaded piggyback
https://picasaweb.google.com/billandjoan
Weigh-It Portable RV Scales
https://www.weighitrv.com
billr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2007, 08:13 AM   #6
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
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
__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2007, 08:37 AM   #7
billr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 857
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
__________________

__________________
Bill and Joan
4 Collie pups
05 M/S 38RL3 #2046
01 Volvo VNL770
05 Smart Passion Loaded piggyback
https://picasaweb.google.com/billandjoan
Weigh-It Portable RV Scales
https://www.weighitrv.com
billr is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×