How to level an Rpod on non-level ground? |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
happywifehappylife
Newbie Joined: 10 Sep 2016 Location: Boring, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 14 |
Post Options
Quote Reply
Topic: How to level an Rpod on non-level ground? Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 8:11pm |
Our 2017 Rpod 179 has been a bit difficult to level because several times we have been assigned (dry) campsites with pull-throughs that were not level. Our parking spot at home also is not level. Sometimes we have to dig a hole for the post that supports the tongue. Other times we have to stack at least three of those yellow plastic blocks to raise one of the wheels. Other times we have to dig a hole for one of the wheels. Are there any tricks or ideas that I should be aware of, or is it just a problem without any easy solution?
|
|
StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 9:41pm |
Unfortunately, sites that are not level are common. There are different alternatives. Some of them involve wood blocks (bulky and heavy) or plastic blocks that interlock and stack (lighter weight, but still bulky). Another involves a curved, wedge-shaped plastic part with another part that acts as a chock (Andersen leveler). This one is relatively light, and does stow well when not being used. One pulls up onto the wedge, which rocks as the height increases. When one has the correct height, the other piece is placed to block the wedge which also helps chock the wheel. Chocks on the other side are still important. Yet another choice is the BAL single-axle leveler. This is like a big U-shaped piece of metal that is placed around the tire and then a jack-screw is tightened. This raises part of the leveler and the tire (and trailer) with it. Advantages are that one does not have to guess at blocks or be precise on backing or pulling forward. One stops, places, and raises the low side. Disadvantages are that it is quite heavy and bulky. The screw can be hard to tighten with the supplied wrench, especially as the height increases. Greasing the threads helps, but that can get messy.
As for the tongue, the newer ones come with a flip-foot. Not letting it flip down, but just lowering it onto a block of wood can help for places which need the tongue to be low. Depending on the slope, you may still need blocks to help get the tongue high enough if the slope is toward the front of the trailer. You will learn what works best for you. I went through a few options, including all of the above. One thing that will help is a 3/4" socket and adapter to fit a battery operated drill-driver. This is used to lower and raise the stabilizers once the trailer is level. It is a lot easier than using the crank handle supplied with the R-Pod. |
|
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
|
jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3226 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 9:48pm |
It is definitely one of those chores you wish you didn't have to perform but unless you want to pay big $$ at a campground where you have totally level spots that are paved, it is one of those chores you will get better and better with more and more practice. We often encounter this at basic campsites where there is no electricity or water available but the rate per night is very reasonable. At one state park not very far from us we pay 14 dollars/night. Very fair even w/o electricity or water I think, and the lots are right on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Before unhooking we try to find the most level area by 'eyeballing' the terrain. Then you begin the process, how many blocks under the low tire to bring it level side to side, then how much wood under the jack so you can level front to rear. We are at the point now to where it rarely takes us more than 10 minutes to get this taken care of. It helps when 2 work together as a team on this one ! |
|
God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
|
furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 10:13pm |
Normally, we chock the "high" side, and use the BAL on the low side. After finding as level a spot on the site as we can. If the low side is pretty low, we will often put a lego or two down under the low side, so the BAL doesn't need as much cranking..
The important thing to remember is, Chocks first, and chocks last" NEVER be unhooked from the tow vehicle without the Pod being chocked both sides, in front and behind the tires, no matter how up/down hill it looks.. StephenH mentioned the flip jack.. That has turned out to be single year option, the new pods don't have them now. We found switching to a powered tongue jack gave us several inches more "travel" at the jack. |
|
fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 8:57am |
Chocks!
After that, I've found Hopkins Levels to be real helpful. BTW, the (rv) sites at Blackwoods campground in Acadia are all pull throughs and mostly pretty radically sloped fore and aft. |
|
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
|
furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 9:02am |
BTW.. leveling front to back and side to side is normal. In hundreds of campsites, only once or twice has the site been naturally level.
|
|
StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 9:25am |
We actually encountered one of the level sites this year. Some of the time, there is at least some minimal leveling required. Other times, significant leveling is required.
|
|
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
|
ronahue
Senior Member Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 316 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 10:03am |
I carry a 2' carpenters level and level left to right then front to back (I use the seams in the floor to confirm my level is properly placed). This year I after leveling with the carpenters level I tried using the bubble level that comes with my iPhone simply placing it on the counter top by the sink in our r-179. It agrees with the carpenters level every time. I haven't got the nerve to leave the carpenters level home yet. By the way the iPhone level can be used against the refrigerator to check for plumb and level as it becomes a stick level when held vertically.
PS: Before you ask, to get to the iPhone level open the compass and swipe right to left with your finger.
|
|
Ron & Sharon
2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
|
Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 10:08am |
A word of caution: Be very sure to carefully chock both wheels before unhitching on terrain that's sloped front to back, especially if one side is higher than the other. Just a little movement can cause the tongue to move left or right as it comes off the ball. You can end up with your trailer rolling down hill.
TT |
|
2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
|
techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 2:36pm |
Never any need to dig. Also impossible on pavement. As soon as you are almost done backing up pull out your level to check side to side, add blocks behind the low wheel and finish backing up. Chock the wheels, unhitch, check for level front to back, adjust tongue jack, done.
|
|
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |