Leveling when tires are off ground

[Louise]

Grand Design 150 Reflection Series 278BH Fifth Wheel...When using the automatic leveling system, our left tires are off the ground. Is this an issue? We understand that all of the weight should not be on the leveling jacks

[Dennis66]

Were you way out of level when you parked? My understanding you don't want to be more then 5" from side to side

[ckreef]

My 337rls will pull the tires off the ground way before 5" of side to side difference. You really need to get it basically level side to side before doing the auto level function. I use Andersen levelers to get it basically level side to side.

[Cate&Rob]

Static spring compression is about 1 1/2”. Tire compression might be another 1”. So, if your site is more than 2” or 3” out of level side-to-side, the low side tires are going to come off the ground to get the trailer to level. It would be better to use tire blocking on the low side to get closer to level before using the auto level “fine tuning”.

Rob

[Tom in PGH]

We use either the Andersen levelers or lego blocks, whichever looks like it will work best. We always level side-to-side before we unhitch. From there, we use the auto-level function. I never let our tires come off the ground. If using either the Andersen’s or lego blocks, I put the chocks on the opposite side, so that they are in contact with the ground.

[Jlawles2]

I chock both sides of the camper using 4 chocks in total. I try to chock both sides of the tire on the same axle. This has a lot to do with rocking of the unit front to rear as people walk.

[ThePowells]

Louise Welcome to the family and the forum!

[d2reid]

I have camped at many places that have very unlevel sites. I like 4x4 wood blocks for chalking and leveling help. As a result I have had my wheels of the ground many times. But there is some danger in doing this. Because of this LCI could never "recommend" lifting till your wheels are off the ground. Way to much liability implications.

What is the danger? Sliding off the blocks and dropping the trailer. That would be bad. I mitigate this by double chalking the side that is on the ground to keep the trailer from moving. I also never do this in high wind locations. I recognize it as a poor practice but do it anyway.

[steve gravelle]

Chocking is the exact word