Levelling December 08, 2010, 12:34:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118929Howdy group; Hope my question is not too academic but wonder if anyone has developed a quasi scientific way to level their LD. Mine is a 26.5 RK with small levellers attached to the front dash and on the drivers door. I also have a small bubble level in the frig. I do not have automatic levellers nor do I want them. I use six of the 3 step levelling blocks from Fiamme. There is only a 2inch rise and I guess that is part of the prob m. I also have the orange square blocks but use them seldom. I am fulltiming now and in previous years travelled cross country twice yearly and spent 5-6 months on the road. Consequently I have gotten the coach fairly level but it does get perplexing and maddening and wastes lots of gas... Let us say the coach is off center in the back and front on the same side. Obviously raise that side. How about if opposite sides are off? Sometimes raising one of those ends gets the entire chassis fairly level. Most times though I have to go thru trial and error and it is time consuming and confusing! Has anyone hit on some system that usually works? Bubbles do not have to wind up dead center. We like to keep the front slightly higher as we sleep on the couches with our heads toward the front. I have seen ads in FMCA magazine for a $49 levelling device that I suppose indicates what sides to raise. Has anyone tried this device?Any ideas most appreciated. Thanks, Mike
Re: Levelling Reply #1 – December 08, 2010, 01:30:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118933MikeExperience is the best teacher when it comes to leveling. Rarely does it take more than a few minutes (except on very cold, windy rainy nights ). When coming up to a campsite, I survey the site, noting the slope and any major holes or dips that may be useful. 10-15% of the the time, I do not use leveling blocks. Most LDs sit lower in the front and combined with slopes and dips in campsites, many times this enables me to find a level spot without using any blocks.80-90% of the time, only one wheel needs blocking. Our LD has two bubble levels, one on the driver's door and the other mounted on the dash, both visable from the driver's seat. I first check side to side level, determining which side is low. I then check front to back. Usually blocking one wheel will be enough using one or two tapered leveling blocks (depending if it is the front or back end that needs lifting). http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/1416451648/in/set-72157602095132726/> The tapered leveling blocks work best at getting the rig level quickly, using their 5" range to fine tune it. They are much easier to use than the Lego-type blocks. I also have a set of the rarely used Fiamme blocks for more serious leveling situations or for leveling on very soft surfaces where the ramps need a wide support platform to prevent them from sinking into the ground. I have used them only twice in the last year. If one end of the LD is significantly low, turning the rig around may be enough to get it close to level.LarryJust a little off level.
Re: Levelling Reply #2 – December 08, 2010, 01:56:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118936"I have seen ads in FMCA magazine for a $49 levelling device that I suppose indicates what sides to raise." I haven't tried it, but from the product descriptions I've seen it appears to be an expensive gimmick of little benefit. The levels already mounted on your dashboard and door tell you more, and you don't have to look over your shoulder to see them. I agree with Larry's advice. I carry 30 Lynx leveling blocks, but rarely need to use more than five or ten. (Having 30 gives me the ability to raise all three wheels on one side in the rare cases where that's needed.) I evaluate the site by eye, then maneuver a bit until my cab levels are as close to level as I can get them. Then if necessary I add a few Lynx blocks. It normally takes me less than ten minutes to get level. Ramps are another alternative. I tried them for awhile--they are faster, but somewhat less flexible--and then went back to blocks.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Levelling Reply #3 – December 08, 2010, 05:16:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118940Mike, I'm very new to Rving but I bout a set of levels at Wal-Mart. At first I had them glued ton the door and dash and found out that they could be bumped and not accurate. So I screwed them to frame that supports the part of the overhead bed that can be raised up. The levels are marked for the # of inches +or- that the front to back and side to side are low or high. The directions say "Read both levels. Add the two numbers. The total is the number of inches required to raise the lowest corner of the vehicle. The smallest of the two numbers is the number of inches required at the other corner of the low side." I've had pretty good luck but I've only been on the road for 6 weeks. But for less than $5.00 you can give them a try.Jim
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Topic: Levelling (Read 4 times)
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