Leveling Adventures August 27, 2020, 09:37:53 pm We’ve not needed to level much higher than a few inches in a long time. But today was different. About a year ago Kent H. gave me some information about his homemade leveling boards which gave me some ideas. I bought large cedar boards (2X6?) and drilled a hole through our existing heavy plastic levelers into the boards. The I dropped an 1 1/2” bolt into the hole to keep the parts from separating. Finally, I placed a piece of a rubber mat under the plastic leveler to help reduce sliding. Today was the first time we had to use this contraption and it worked perfectly. I have several larger plastic levers that can give us 6” when combined with these boards. So far, we’ve not needed them. And that’s it from here. And thanks again Kent. 3 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #1 – August 28, 2020, 02:20:28 am Ed,I’ve changed things up a bit on my wooden ramps. Previously, I used plastic dowels to secure the levelers together. I’ve also had issues with the “Level-Upp” levelers sliding around as I backed the LD onto the multileveled ramp assembly.Using my drill/driver, I now use ‘Star‘ deck Screws to bind the levelers together. Like you, I also pre-drill the plastic ramps to accept the deck screw to prevent the ramps from splitting.The correct length screw will actually penetrate the bottom leveler by about 1/4 inch and acts like a cleat to prevent sliding. Longer screws may help if you are camped on gravel. I do like your rubber mats. Now, I can lay out the ramps, lock them together set them in place and back up with no worry of the ramps sliding. My total height for my front right tire last week was about 8”. That’s nuts. 🤪Sometimes a campsite is just crazy unlevel but if you had reserved the site you just have to deal with it. Really makes the auto levelers much more attractive. 🧐Kent 1 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #2 – August 28, 2020, 10:50:32 am Ed & Margee,I have the same red levelers that you show in your picture. I used them on our previous 2002 MB and on our 2017 MB. I always feel a little uneasy when I use them though. Specially the way the tire is sitting in your picture - where the bottom of the tire is resting right at the point of the second incline. That has caused the tires to really bulge out in an alarming manner. During a recent trip wandering Michigan's Upper Peninsula, we pulled in at night and had to level. In the morning, the tires were right on that incline point all night. I'm sure that didn't help the strength of the side walls.
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #3 – August 28, 2020, 11:16:46 am Quote from: Glenn Lambert - August 28, 2020, 10:50:32 am I always feel a little uneasy when I use them though. Specially the way the tire is sitting in your picture - where the bottom of the tire is resting right at the point of the second incline. You’re right. We had to re-adjust after I took that picture. 1 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #4 – September 24, 2020, 01:23:29 pm Ed and Margee, thanks for this great tip!!
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #5 – September 24, 2020, 01:46:15 pm I think I was using the same homemade pattern for leveling blocks on my TK that Kent and some others are using. My TK’s previous owner sent me this back in 1999. I gave a pair to the fellow that bought my ‘85 so will need to make another set. As I recall, they worked well but are a bit heavy and bulky. 1 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #6 – September 24, 2020, 03:02:17 pm The finished size of a 2"X6", the size of the stock used for the stepped levelers in the photo, is 1 1/2" X 5 1/2"; the thickness of each board may not be critical, but, IMO, the width is not sufficient to offer full-footprint support for the tire. Additionally (also IMO), each "step" length should support the tire completely and not allow part of the tire to be hanging off the back end. YMMV. 2 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #7 – September 24, 2020, 03:18:25 pm Quote from: Joan - September 24, 2020, 03:02:17 pmThe finished size of a 2"X6", the size of the stock used for the stepped levelers in the photo, is 1 1/2" X 5 1/2"; the thickness of each board may not be critical, but, IMO, the width is not sufficient to offer full-footprint support for the tire. Additionally (also IMO), each "step" length should support the tire completely and not allow part of the tire to be hanging off the back end. Joan, the length was not an issue since the footprint of the tire is about 8" and each level is at least 10" long. You did need to be careful not to go too far on the top step. You may be right on the width but I don't recall that being an issue either. Are today's tires wider now than they were back then?
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #8 – September 24, 2020, 03:49:43 pm The width of the board is 5 1/2"; the width of the tire "footprint" (of a 225/75R/16E tire) is approximately 8". The leaves 2 1/2" inches of no support; 1 1/4" per side of "droop", if the tire is centered on the board. A lack of full footprint support puts stress on the sidewalls. Lynx blocks work very well; not expensive, very durable, many configurations possible. (I also have a pair of 8" wide "wedge" leveling ramps; no longer available, as far as I know. )YMMV, as always.
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #9 – September 24, 2020, 05:03:59 pm I might start out using the Lynx type levelers as I have a leftover set from my trailer days. I’m a little leery of using plastic for something that weighs as much as a motorhome, though, but I guess people do that these days.
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #10 – September 24, 2020, 05:08:16 pm Of course, there are hydraulic levelers for those sites that would otherwise be unusable... ;-) The pic below was at Tuttle Creek CG at the foot of Mt Whitney. Yep, those front wheels were well off the ground.Ken F on the road 3 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #11 – September 24, 2020, 05:27:48 pm Ken, I’ve had to do that many times with the Bigfoot Jack’s in the past. They can support the entire weight of the motorhome if needed.
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #12 – September 24, 2020, 05:34:18 pm "I'm a little leery of using plastic for something that weighs as much as a motorhome, though, but I guess people do that these days."---The strength and resistance to shatter depend on the quality of the "plastic" and the surface that's under the leveler; the only issue I've ever had with using Lynx levelers over many years is an occasional "dent" on the bottom from a small rock getting wedged. The levelers do fade a little over time, but that's a cosmetic issue, not one of strength, at least as far as I've experienced. Any plastic leveling block may scoot, depending on the surface; pavement is the most conducive to this, particularly if the stack is more than two blocks high.A long time ago, I bought a set of Camco solid plastic levelers, the old yellow ones sold at CW; they were junk. Two splintered and shattered on the first use under the tires of the little Dolphin motorhome. This was on grass; the rest broke after that when used on pavement and gravel. Perhaps there are some square solid yellow plastic leveling blocks on the market now that are sturdier and more durable; I can't say. The Lynx blocks have been reliable, versatile, easy to clean, very durable, and they support the full tire footprint; works for me. 1 Likes
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #13 – September 24, 2020, 05:41:10 pm Quote from: Kenneth Fears - September 24, 2020, 05:08:16 pmOf course, there are hydraulic levelers for those sites that would otherwise be unusable... ;-) The pic below was at Tuttle Creek CG at the foot of Mt Whitney. Yep, those front wheels were well off the ground.Always enjoy seeing that photo, Ken!
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #14 – September 24, 2020, 07:08:11 pm "Yep, those front wheels were well off the ground."And I can hear the fridge screaming in agony even now. Surely NOT a good thing, particularly for extended periods!
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #15 – September 24, 2020, 08:08:51 pm Steve, why would the refrig be screaming? It was level.Ken F on the road
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #16 – September 24, 2020, 10:03:56 pm "It was level."Wow, the perspective of the LD as compared to the toad in the photo was greatly different. Is your fridge suspended on gimbals?
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #17 – September 24, 2020, 10:20:05 pm Steve S, that was my first impression. It is one of those optical illusions as it is not obvious the ground is at a big slope.
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #18 – September 24, 2020, 11:34:02 pm "the perspective of the LD as compared to the toad in the photo was greatly different."Looks that way, but it's just an optical delusion. ;-) As the attached photo shows, the LD and toad are at the same angle (and both are level).
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #19 – September 24, 2020, 11:41:51 pm Like Joan, I've used Lynx blocks for many years. (Fourteen, to be exact.) In all that time I've only had to throw away three or four out of forty. I've used them to level my rig; I used them when installing the towing baseplate on my Honda Fit; and I used them just a couple of days ago when changing the oil in my Subaru Outback. (I installed a Fumoto valve in place of the drain plug, to make the job less messy next time.)I've found Lynx blocks to be both useful and reliable. Unlike wooden ramps, they are lightweight and can be stored in a variety of spaces. (As an extreme example, right now I'm carrying half a dozen in the former group-24-sized battery box of my Trillium trailer. There's no way I could carry any kind of ramps in this little trailer.)Also like Joan, I tried the yellow Lego-like leveling blocks some years back, and found that they cracked and shattered almost immediately. Worthless! As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #20 – September 25, 2020, 04:13:27 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - September 24, 2020, 11:41:51 pmAlso like Joan, I tried the yellow Lego-like leveling blocks some years back, and found that they cracked and shattered almost immediately. Worthless!I know the Lynx blocks are superior — no argument — but we’ve been using our set of the yellows for over ten years and only one has cracked. 🤔 — Jon
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #21 – September 25, 2020, 08:34:35 pm Quote from: HiLola - September 24, 2020, 01:46:15 pmI think I was using the same homemade pattern for leveling blocks on my TK that Kent and some others are using. My TK’s previous owner sent me this back in 1999. I gave a pair to the fellow that bought my ‘85 so will need to make another set. As I recall, they worked well but are a bit heavy and bulky.I had a similar setup in our 1983 LD, the blocks are now the shed for use when working on vehicles in the driveway.In the 2003 LD, we use two leveling ramps and two sets of Lynx Blocks. This covers 95% of leveling situations.Plywood ramps- carried in LD | Ramps dimensions 30 inches Lo… | FlickrLarry
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #22 – September 25, 2020, 10:48:00 pm I’ve given consideration to moving over to Lynx Blocks, however, my DIY blocks have worked well over the past five years. As Joan mentioned, 2x6” blocks present a problem for side to side support of the tire. I purchased 2”x10”x20’ (ft) lumber and made each tier long enough to completely support the tire on each tier. It’s important to provide support side to side and front to back. Interestingly, while in Yellowstone, I needed to support the front tires to level the rig. After ‘backing‘ onto the ramps several times, as I typically do, I had difficulty keeping the tires straight on the ramps. I decided to pull ‘forward’ onto the ramps and ‘hit the mark’ on the first attempt. 🧐Do others here pull onto the blocks or back onto the blocks? I now pull forward rather than back onto them.Kent
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #23 – September 26, 2020, 12:05:30 am Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - September 25, 2020, 10:48:00 pmI’ve given consideration to moving over to Lynx Blocks, however, my DIY blocks have worked well over the past five years. As Joan mentioned, 2x6” blocks present a problem for side to side support of the tire. I purchased 2”x10”x20’ (ft) lumber and made each tier long enough to completely support the tire on each tier. It’s important to provide support side to side and front to back. Interestingly, while in Yellowstone, I needed to support the front tires to level the rig. After ‘backing‘ onto the ramps several times, as I typically do, I had difficulty keeping the tires straight on the ramps. I decided to pull ‘forward’ onto the ramps and ‘hit the mark’ on the first attempt. 🧐Do others here pull onto the blocks or back onto the blocks? I now pull forward rather than back onto them.Kent"Do others here pull onto the blocks or back onto the blocks? I now pull forward rather than back onto them."Depends where the sweet spot on the pad is. When I've found the most level spot on the pad I try to ramp up in the direction that will protect the integrity of the level spot the best. I've used the 3 tier yellow ramps forever and am now able to "feel" my way up them.Chris
Re: Leveling Adventures Reply #24 – September 26, 2020, 01:29:11 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - September 25, 2020, 10:48:00 pmI’ve given consideration to moving over to Lynx Blocks, however, my DIY blocks have worked well over the past five years. The combination of the two ramps and Lynx blocks presents choices for leveling in a wide range of conditions.A pair of 12" X 18" X 3/4" exterior plywood rectangles are also carried, they can be placed under the ramps and or blocks when leveling on soft surfaces. They can be placed under the hydraulic jacks, when lifting the front or rear of the rig up, helping to keep the jacks from rocking or sinking.Larry 1 Likes
Topic: Leveling Adventures (Read 917 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Leveling Adventures (Read 917 times)
previous topic - next topic