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Old 04-26-2016, 10:43 AM   #1
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degrees vs inches for bubble levels?

My dealer installed bubble levels that measure in degrees instead of inches. Does anyone else use degree levels, and if so, are there any advantages over inches? Since the Lippert ground control 3.0 4-point seems to like fairly level when starting, to me inches seem to make more sense to figure where to put Lynx to get it close.

Before I switch them out want to make sure I not missing an advantage the degree ones have.
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:04 AM   #2
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Not sure about the best way to figure how many inches needed to level a fifth wheel but for my RV I took the wheel base and tire width in inches and divided that by 16. Cut a flat board to that length and width. I then lay that on the counter with a bubble level on top. I then take 1/16" shims (1/4 flat washers are pretty close to 1/16" thick. you may need to measure several to get enough at 1/16") to level the board. The # of shims each corner is how many 1" leveler blocks needed at each wheel. I have since downloaded an app "iWoMoset" that tells me how many inches needed at each wheel. I imagine you use the jack to level front to back but you could use the board and shim method for the side to side height needed.
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:16 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by estesbubba View Post
My dealer installed bubble levels that measure in degrees instead of inches. Does anyone else use degree levels, and if so, are there any advantages over inches? Since the Lippert ground control 3.0 4-point seems to like fairly level when starting, to me inches seem to make more sense to figure where to put Lynx to get it close.

Before I switch them out want to make sure I not missing an advantage the degree ones have.
There are some levels that have markings for 'pitch' in inches-per-foot, but I haven't seen those (or looked for them).

I don't believe ever seeing a level graduated in inches. Degrees are 'constant' over distances, but the 'inches' of elevation to make something level will vary depending on the distance.
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:26 AM   #4
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Here you go: Inches & degrees, extremely accurate, inexpensive, owned this one for 6 years.

Sears.com
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:50 AM   #5
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Here you go: Inches & degrees, extremely accurate, inexpensive, owned this one for 6 years.

Sears.com
Nice! I never looked at levels over ~$10 and tried a free phone app or two.
The electronic Sears level is an option but it is way more than the ~$3.00 camco level we're using. And it took a season, but the DW is now fine with 'Mr.Bubbles' I'll keep the electronic one in mind in case that changes.
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Old 04-26-2016, 12:12 PM   #6
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Nice! I never looked at levels over ~$10 and tried a free phone app or two.
The electronic Sears level is an option but it is way more than the ~$3.00 camco level we're using. And it took a season, but the DW is now fine with 'Mr.Bubbles' I'll keep the electronic one in mind in case that changes.
If you are using it often and need inches and accuracy down to the .1 then this is worth every dime. I caught it on sale at Sears for $19.95
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Old 04-26-2016, 01:02 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by estesbubba View Post
My dealer installed bubble levels that measure in degrees instead of inches. Does anyone else use degree levels, and if so, are there any advantages over inches? Since the Lippert ground control 3.0 4-point seems to like fairly level when starting, to me inches seem to make more sense to figure where to put Lynx to get it close.

Before I switch them out want to make sure I not missing an advantage the degree ones have.
Almost all bubble levels are in degrees, if marked at all. Using inches gets problematic, because that can vary depending on the length you're measuring (say side to side level vs front to back level). 1" over 8 ft, is really different than 1" at 30 ft, etc. In the end, you'll have to figure out how many blocks it takes to move your bubble 1 unit-of-measure, anyway. So, the next time you are hooked up, note the reading. Then put two blocks under the tires, and re-read. Do the math, and now you know how many blocks it will take to move the bubble one number on the level.
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Old 04-26-2016, 01:15 PM   #8
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Oh geez - I googled these:
http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-Towing.../dp/B000AA4RWM

They are exactly what I put on my fifth when I first got it! Who knew the scale was "inches"?!!!?? The instructions on the back make my head hurt. Doesn't really matter - I still know how many blocks to use to move the level one number, which seems much more direct.
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Old 04-26-2016, 01:23 PM   #9
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Oh geez - I googled these:
Amazon.com: Hopkins 08525 Graduated Level: Automotive

They are exactly what I put on my fifth when I first got it! Who knew the scale was "inches"?!!!?? The instructions on the back make my head hurt. Doesn't really matter - I still know how many blocks to use to move the level one number, which seems much more direct.
Awesome! I never noticed those before. Thank you.

EDIT: Checking Amazon I'm finding several different types that aren't marked in degrees! Live and learn... I love this site.
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Old 04-26-2016, 01:52 PM   #10
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Couple of ways to skin this cat:

1) Get a 6 ft level, put it in center on rear bumper. Lift the downside end and use tape measure to to tell you how many in of lift you need. Note this is approx, but if you use a 6 ft level you will be very close. 6 ft level at Harbor Freight I think I paid about $12 bucks maybe less on sale.

The other option is to use the Sears level and it will tell you how many in you need to stack to level out. Put level in center the turn on and it will display the in required per foot. So from enter of rear bumper to outer edge of RV will be say, 4 ft, the level will give a reading in 0.0 in, lets say 1.2 in per ft x 4 = 4.8 in of stack to go level. Bear in mind you do not have to perfectly level within ½ in should be close enough.
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Old 04-26-2016, 02:19 PM   #11
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Estimating an 8 foot width side to side, you can use the formula "100 X rise/run" to convert inches to percent. A one inch rise (a one inch pad under the wheels), would equal 1% of rise.

100 X (1" / 96") = 100 X 0.01041 = 1.041%

At least that's what I learned on the internet.

How do you convert .25 inch per foot into degrees or percent slope

And I know, degrees isn't percent, but I thought the formula was pretty slick.

Here are more formulae for slope calculations, for gradient, percentage and degrees.

http://www.archtoolbox.com/measureme...try/slope.html
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Old 04-26-2016, 02:41 PM   #12
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Finally! My math teacher was correct. After 50 years, I do need to use my Jr. High math!
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Old 04-26-2016, 09:50 PM   #13
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Large level on the front of my 5W each mark is 1" so if I'm two off center raise 2" or drive up on the Andersons and watch for center.
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:03 PM   #14
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Just make sure if it isn't level that the slope is to the wife's side of the bed.
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Old 04-28-2016, 07:44 AM   #15
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Dusted off my trig skills and figured out the numbers for my trailer. Front to back was a little trickier and I measure from the front levelers to the pivot point on the axles.

L to R: 1º = 1.67"
F to B: 1º = 3.35"

Since I have the auto-leveling system I just need to get it close so none of the legs get out of stroke errors. To keep it simple I'll use 1.5" per degree L to R and 3" per degree F to B for calculations.
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