another pesky, but simple trailer stabilization question

[FlyingDiscman]

I know there is a lot of discussion on setup of you trailer when you get to the campsite. I have a new whitehawk, never had a slide before with my Jayfeather. Question is, do you put the stabilizing jacks down before or after you put the slide out? My thought is the camper should be completely stabilized and leveled prior to the slide coming out, but I've recently seen a "how to video" from an online dealer talking about how you should put the slide out, then put down the stabilizing jacks. Maybe it doesn't matter a lick, but just something I'm curious about how you guys handle it.

Secondly, I've always been told to cross your towing chains, even the owners manual says it, but on my new whitehawk, both chains are welded to the frame within an inch of eachother. I assume the purpose is to catch or support the tongue in the event you become disconnected. Now with the new whitehawk, it seems pointless given their weld point on the frame. Thanks in advance to your guys' responses.

[OurJayco]

I usually deploy my stab jacks before putting the slides out. The main reason is because one of my stab jacks is under one of the slide outs and it's easier to put the jacks down first.

[Seann45]

I always stabilize first... YES always cross your chains before hooking up if the trailer comes off the ball the tongue will rest on the chains rather than dig into the asphalt causing the trailer to flip on top of your car..

[Camper_bob]

We too stabilize before running the slide out. Our slide is big enough to pull that side of the trailer off level, and since we level the trailer side-to-side using blocks before we even turn the truck off, I don't want the slide pulling the trailer out of level.

We also always cross our chains. In fact, I've read that crossing your chains is the law in some places.

If my 7500 lb trailer flipped end over onto my truck, I don't know what I would do. That would be pretty incredible. I would hope that someone got video so scientists could investigate.

[norty1]

I always get the rig stabilized and level before opening any slides. Reverse the procedure when leaving.

[Tunce the traveler]

[QUOTE=Camper_bob;276515]We too stabilize before running the slide out. Our slide is big enough to pull that side of the trailer off level, and since we level the trailer side-to-side using blocks before we even turn the truck off, I don't want the slide pulling the trailer out of level.

We also always cross our chains. In fact, I've read that crossing your chains is the law in some states.

X2

[William]

I compensate for the for the weight of the slide out when leveling side to side then I put the slide out out just to make sure it clears everything and then I put the stabilizers down. I think it's six of one half a dozen of the other.

[norty1]

One of the benefits of opposing slides is the slide weight does not affect level at all.

[3'senough]

I always stabilize first too for many of the same reasons above. A key point is the word stabilize. Some use the stabilizers to level and that is when you will most likely lead to issues with binding and twisting potentially damaging the slides. If you set the stabilizers to snug and then open up the sildes you should be good.

Chains crossed is a law in some states, if not all. The idea is catch the tounge before piercing the road so you can stop the unit still attached.

[FlyingDiscman]

Thanks for all the replies. With the chain question, are you still getting the same benefit if the chains are attached to the frame so closely together? I guess maybe i'm thinking too much into it, but I feel like the fact that since the weld points on the frame are not separated, you lose the effect of crossing the chains, if that makes any sense. Adding to my imagination, the chains were too short to start with, so they just added a few links to each, making me wonder why Jayco makes their chains so darn short to start with.

[3'senough]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiscman

Thanks for all the replies. With the chain question, are you still getting the same benefit if the chains are attached to the frame so closely together? I guess maybe i'm thinking too much into it, but I feel like the fact that since the weld points on the frame are not separated, you lose the effect of crossing the chains, if that makes any sense. Adding to my imagination, the chains were too short to start with, so they just added a few links to each, making me wonder why Jayco makes their chains so darn short to start with.

They might be short because of the close connection point, thus even if they are not crossed your tounge will not hit the road. Crossing will have some effect in stopping, but the catch point will be closer to the tounge connection point if that makes sense.

What you need to make sure is that you can make a turn without binding. Also connect your EBrake line to the frame of your car without pulling on a turn.

[FlyingDiscman]

3'senough, that's exactly my thought on the short chains/close connection point.

[slabat]

I always put down the stabilizing jacks befor putting out the slide.

On the chains I was stopped by a patrolman a few years back when I was going through some hilly areas and was at the bottom of a hill when he came over the top of the next one. I was trying to gain some momentum coming down the hill so the truck didn't have to work so hard going up the other side...needless to say I was going over the speed limit and he pulled me over. He talked to me for a few minutes went back looked at the hitch, came back and said that my chains were crossed properly. He said if they weren't he would have gave me a ticket but since they were he said have a great day and keep it below the speed limit.

[Jagiven]

We have a small slide out, even with ours I notice a slight chance in the level if we put the slide out before the stabilizers. If you pay attention to your level over time you can learn to compensate for it.

[Paintinfool3]

on checking distance of slides from objects before putting stabilizers down you could just keep a yard stick handy and check with that instead of deploying slides to check

[314BHDS]

I put both my slideouts out first then level then stabilize.Both mine are on one side.If I level out first then open the slides I always end up a little off due to slideouts pulling down on that side of the trailer.maybe im doing it wrong and should try to stabilize first,I have seen It done both ways

[spoon059]

Originally Posted by 314BHDS

I put both my slideouts out first then level then stabilize.Both mine are on one side.If I level out first then open the slides I always end up a little off due to slideouts pulling down on that side of the trailer.maybe im doing it wrong and should try to stabilize first,I have seen It done both ways

How do you level after the slides are out? Are you backing up and pulling forward with your slides out?

It seems to me that if having the slides out is enough to pull one side of your rig down, you should compensate for it by making that side of the camper just a little bit higher (ie another layer of blocking under those tires). That way when you extend the slide and it pulls the one side down a little bit it levels out the trailer.

[Paintinfool3]

I guess it depends on how you stabilize it ... I don't like to run the slides out without it being as level as I can get it ... if the 4 corners are stabilized you wouldn't think it would move much but if it is put 2 jack stands in front of the axles and it should be solid

[314BHDS]

Yes I level out by pulling forward onto leveling pads.I try to make sure the ground is at it's best spot,no dips,humps or anything then I figure out if I need a block under 1 tire or both with my slides out.I have leveled with slides in and opened them up only to have to add a block under 1 tire or both. I try to get it as good as I can or my shower leaks from water running down the drain rails to fast.If I just add blocks and wing it to try to compensate I could end up to high.I just find it easier to do it this way I been doing,that way im doing it 1 time(hopefully). I see some people say they level out then put stabilzers down,i guess that could work but of my slides pull down on that side I don't wanna be putting strain on jacks or trailer frame.I could be thinking to much into this,so far from browsing this site theres 2 or 3 ways people like to do when emptying tanks,leveling,towing etc. Pick the one you like and go for it,lol

[wags999]

So, let me understand better. If you were parked on a concrete pad, perfectly level, and you put your slide out, your trailer would tilt in that direction? About how much "tilt" would you expect?