I Can't Believe I am Asking This?? - Montana Owners Club

RKassl · 10-05-2006, 12:24 PM

When you are setting up at the Monty, do you set the rear stabilizer jacks first before you extend the slides? What do you folks do?

Thanks

Karl · 10-05-2006, 12:35 PM

I set the rear stabs while the slides are still in, double check to be sure I have the unit as level as I want it (I'm not very fussy), then snug the stabs a bit more before I extend the slides. If we are going to be at a site a while, I snug up the stabilizers from time to time. As lazy as I am, I use a rechargeable drill/driver to deploy the stabilizers.

tcorbitt · 10-05-2006, 12:37 PM

Well I do. Seems like a smart thing to have the rig level and stable prior to opening the slides. I will confess though, when on the road, if we pull in to a campground for a 1 night stay, I just leave the Monty hooked up to the truck, make sure it is fairly level and open the slides for the night. Next morning, pull them in and off we go. Tim

BillyRay · 10-05-2006, 12:57 PM

That doesn't make a huge differance, but always unhook and level before you do the rear stabilizers, so you don't bend them.

LonnieB · 10-05-2006, 01:01 PM

I level mine with the slides in, set it so the slide side ( both slides are on the same side on mine ) bubble is riding just a tad high. Set the landing gear down, un-hook, level fore and aft, set the stabilizer jacks, then open the slides. The weight of the slides counters the little extra height on that side. I'm probably being a little picky, but that's just me.

bsmeaton · 10-05-2006, 01:08 PM

I try to set the jacks then open the slides, but it never works out that way. Sometimes I run out the slides before I even unhook to check for clearance, and a lot of times I'm running the slides out while hooked up with no jacks either to load, unload, or a roadside lunch.

It would seem the jack would be easier to set with the slide in, but maybe not. Ah it doesn't matter, my frames all flexed out anyway

LonnieB · 10-05-2006, 01:58 PM

LOL, good one Brad. It probably doesn't matter on any of them, as long as your not driving around the block with the slides out. I have moved mine 40 or 50 feet to get closer to the house with them open, but then later thought about it and wondered if maybe I shouldn't have done that. It doesn't seem to have hurt anything, the slides still work smoothly, and are not out of whack, but I probably wouldn't do it again, my pasture is a little rough.

noneck · 10-05-2006, 02:04 PM

Hahaha, Brad...thats good. I did pick up on trick from my Trailer life mag way-back-when, I put a wrap of electical tape on my awning pull stick that is the width of my big slide when extended. I use this to do spot checks when parking rig to know I'm gonna be ok to set camp. It was really handy when my son and I were setting up at Pocono Raceway where you get a chalked rectangle to park in and the ol' Monty's slides go out but the awning can't be fully deployed! The steps to doing it once;
1) Park rig making sure your level left to right...(I let the slide tilt me a tad to drain side).
2) Use power jacks to get truck unhitched, and level front to rear.
3) Set stablizers, tell Mrs (when camping) or Son (when Nascar'in) to run out slides and watch things as they go out.
Take numerous breaks during this....cause we're on vacation!
Chuck

mobilrvn · 10-06-2006, 05:50 PM

Have always done the stablizers last, don't want to put an bind on the S/Os going out. Have had minor shifts when putting the S/Os out. Conversly, take the stablizers up before putting the S/Os in. Don't use S/O supports for the same reason.

Montana Sky · 10-06-2006, 06:37 PM

I get the coach leveled, wheels blocked, all jacks down, and all hook ups hooked up before I open the slides. I found it easier to work around down there with everything closed. (dont have to worry about hitting my head on the slides).

Glenn and Lorraine · 10-07-2006, 02:53 AM

Don't really think it matters one way or the other. The rear stabilizers are the last thing I do when setting up and the first thing when breaking camp. To this date I have not had a problem with this method.

Emmel · 10-07-2006, 03:04 AM

Have to agree with Glenn, don't think it makes a difference as long as you are level. My better half always puts the slides in and out while I'm tending to the outside setup or teardown. Remember to crack open the door a little when opening/closing slides to allow the air to escape. When the door is closed this could allow the slide rubbers to not turn the direction of travel of the slide. Does this make sense? Sometimes the techincal jargon kind of slides away from my mouth! Anyway, what was the topic again.

sreigle · 10-09-2006, 11:24 AM

I don't think it's critical to have the rear stabilizers down before extending the slides.

The rear stabilizers (OEM) are not built to use for leveling the rig. I only snug them plus 1/2 turn. I normally do this before extending slides but not always. Sometimes when we're overnighting without unhitching we don't use the rear stabilizers at all. Usually, though, in that circumstance we drop landing gear and rear stabilizers just to keep the rig a bit more stable.

Interesting thought on opening the door, Emmel. I noticed we have one seal curled under. Tomorrow when we move the rig I'll try the door trick. Thanks.

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