Leveling System

[JC_RV_CRAZY]

Its me again, we just took delivery of our New Jayco 2011 365 BHS, great camper! We went out last weekend for the first time and really learned a lot. I need to purchase a leveling system. I will not spend another minute backing ove 2x4's. Can someone please let me know what system is the best and most cost effective way to level up a fifth wheel camper. Keep in mind we only use it maybe 12 - 15 times a year on long or planned weekends. I know it can be done for a lot less than a $6k Bigfoot system. Man do I want my cake and eat it to or what! A little help designing a simple system would be appreciated from some seasoned 5er's.

Thanks,
Jim

[clutch]

I don't think you are going to get level side to side without some type of blocking or spending a lot of money. We bought the linex blocks at Wall Mart.

[Rob_Fla]

The Titan Leveling system is a good system, all electric and pretty fast.

If you can install it youself you can shop the web and get the system for under $2500

http://www.riecotitan.com/groundcontrol.html

[AZ T&T]

A leveling system would be nice.

If you get a set of light weight leveling blocks, within a few times of going out you will see its not so bad. We only boondock so it's rare we find a level spot. One thing that helped me the most is I put a large level bubble on my pinbox so I can see when I'm level while driving.

If you find an inexpensive leveling system that you like, I would love to hear back from you.

[dalenoel]

With a TT you will find a leveling system at the corners will only flex most frames and not really level. With a MH the leveling system is at each of the tires and acts like the leveling blocks and the frame is not flexed.

[3'senough]

Congrats on the unit. I have the same one and have an acculevel mounted to the king pin. It's a Camco product and I can see it clearly from my rear view mirror. I just back in or pull through the site check the bubble and every mark is one 2x12 needed toward level. I have them cut in 24" pieces so handling them is easier. I simply back up, insert the required boards and pull up on them.

Having wider boards in shorter lengths makes it very easy and gives a good footprint as well. Usually I have the unit level side to side within 3-5 mins.

As for the auto levelers you might want to check with Jayco first before adding them as it might void a frame warranty if you flex the unit while on them. Having units 40ft long also may require 6 points of contact.

I looked at something a few months ago but that was only for the landing gear as it had a memory that auto adjusted for hook up and detachement. Was not a complete leveling type add on.

[drfife]

Originally Posted by 3'senough

Congrats on the unit. I have the same one and have an acculevel mounted to the king pin. It's a Camco product and I can see it clearly from my rear view mirror. ...

I have an Acculevel on my trailer.

The older it gets, the less accurate it is. The ball does not move freely in the tube anymore. I no longer rely on it.

I have already replaced it once.

I will not install one on my next trailer.

[CrazyTed]

The more practice at it, the better you get at guessing the size of leveling blocks you need. As for automatic levelers, we have a fellow racer who has a 5ver that actually has hydraulic levelers on it. They pump fast and level quick. Big money though.

[JC_RV_CRAZY]

Thanks for your input all who replied, I have looked on line and came to the conclusion that it is big money but probably worth it in the long run. I will have to get one of those levels for the pin box and try that with the 2x12 slabs first to see if i wnat ot contend with it. Thanks again, I do appreciate the feedback.

[JC_RV_CRAZY]

Update on my level mount on the pinbox 3'senough suggested......I was never so mad at myself to find that the one side is adjustable, nowhere on the packaging does it tell you this and I found out when removing the screws that hold it on, that it is slotted for adjustment, I noticed it was listing to one side very heavy and was going to remove it and drill another hole only to find what I found....... installation is easy if you know what your dealing with, I am kind of a perfectionist about installing something.....everything has to asthetically appear level in conjunction with its surroundings so I cant stand little systems that allow for less than tolerable manufacturing and construction quality. Anyway I got it installed and it looks great, can't wait to put it to use. I also installed a garage shelf in my unit, I will post some pics when I get it finished, all I have left is the selection of the correct material for the actual shelf. I was able to hang the fold up ladder out of the way and in a holder of its own, the trays for the sewer hose and water hose. It will be nice to have that organized feeling! :lizard:

[Crabman]

Yes, do post some pics in the Jayco mods forum!

[Shin Pond Hunter]

Post your mods in the 365 section...

[3'senough]

I am the same way when it comes to details. Drives my DW nuts! It will make the intial setup go that much faster for you since you can see that bubble clearly from your rear view without having to get out of the TV. Plus you know exactly what you have to do and where. I have not had the issues with the bubble movement as mentioned previuos but it's only a season old so we'll see. I can live with 3 years or better on the life just for the ease of setup.

Another thing I keep in my unit is a plastic 2ft level for calibration of the unit. It doesn't move but I still like to double check the unit, especially on the longer 7+ days setups.

18 gal and larger totes are my go to basement organizers. 2 stack nicely on each other and clear the roof by about 5 inches to allow for the patio mat and camping chairs on top. I have one to hold all my kids toys and balls One for setup needs and another for odds and ends that I only need when I am boondocking. Sure beats having all the stuff rolling around down there and when I don't need the boondock tote I pull it for less weight without having to go through stuff.

I use a smaller flatter one for all the sewer connections and flushes then the hose fits in my bumper.

I've got a long spring mods list that once complete I will post in the mods section. Some of last years are in there already for addressing the "wiggle".

Good Luck and welcome!

[Jrmay25]

JC,
Sorry I can't help much with the leveling system but Congrats on your 365BHS. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did ours. Jayco certainly designed the 365BHS with family in mind. Only hope they made them even better in 2012 as I should be picking our new one up in about 6 weeks.

Jr

[Wyotraveler]

If I had a MH I would have an electric leveling system. TT and 5Ver are quite a bit easier. You only have to worry about side to side for driving over blocks or planks. Drive into the RV space and if you have a level, I use a 9 inch, it makes it pretty easy to make a quick calculation. A 2 ft level even makes it easier to calculate exactly what you need side to side. My wife mark the ground where the planks should go, I pull ahead or back, keeping my TV wheels straight. She places the planks down, I drive over them. I'm level side to side. Fore and aft I do with the hitch jack. Same with the 5Ver. Guess I don't understand what the problem seems to be. I use the level just inside the door on the floor of the TT or the 5Ver I had.

[QUADRA BIGFOOT]

Some of you tired of leveling your trailers and coaches may want to take a look at the website www.bigfootleveler.com.
there is some video of the EZ levlers for trailers and fifthwheels as well as the motorized systems.
Roger

[tinlizzie23]

Guess I too wonder what the problem is with putting down a 2X6 or lynx block or two to level side to side. Pretty simple and easy. And what is the big hurry when you are at a CG ? You are supposed to be relaxed and having fun. Seems a gigantic waste to me to spend upwards of $2500 just so you can push a button instead of lifting a 2X6. I like the KISS principle, and would not think of spending that kind of cash just so I can push a button. But if that is what you want, it's your privilege - go right ahead. But I'll stick with my 2X4s every time. JMHO.

[drfife]

Originally Posted by tinlizzie23

Guess I too wonder what the problem is with putting down a 2X6 or lynx block or two to level side to side. Pretty simple and easy. And what is the big hurry when you are at a CG ? You are supposed to be relaxed and having fun. Seems a gigantic waste to me to spend upwards of $2500 just so you can push a button instead of lifting a 2X6. I like the KISS principle, and would not think of spending that kind of cash just so I can push a button. But if that is what you want, it's your privilege - go right ahead. But I'll stick with my 2X4s every time. JMHO.

The tenters and pop-up campers probably say the same thing about you and your trailer.:hihi:

[tinlizzie23]

Sorry - I want to apologize for my last post about 2X6s vs. leveling jacks. I did not mean to offend anyone. While not an excuse, I had just had an "animated discussion" with my daughter about her generation's obsession with pushing buttons to get things done, and not knowing how to use her hands and head, or paper and pencil. You know, the cashier who cannot make change without a computer, or the stock clerk that will not get up and check the shelf to see if an item is in stock when the computer is down . . . . . and on and on. Please forgive my moment of speaking from the soap box.

[Rob_Fla]

We are starting to do some research on leveling systems for our Pinnacle.
Since we fulltime and move quite a bit a leveling system would be nice and get used quite a bit.
Maybe it will be my Christmas present to me !!!