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12-01-2020, 01:25 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: winneconnee
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #27640
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Newbie overnight question
Opinions please. Traveling to from Wisc to Ft Myers Fl leaving 12/28. 4 stops overnight. Do you folks disconnect the monte from your truck each night? A friend of mine who has full timed for years said he disconnects each night to give his springs on truck a break. He pulls 40 ft toy hauler with a f250 diesel. My truck is a f350 dually.
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12-01-2020, 01:57 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,551
M.O.C. #2283
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I do need ever disconnect at night. I don’t see any reason to.
Lynwood
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12-01-2020, 02:08 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Marion
Posts: 234
M.O.C. #22281
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I only disconnect for an overnight if I'm running into town for cheap fuel.
Montana rep told me it was ok. Drop the front jacks and take some weight off the truck, drop the back jacks to somewhat level. Put out the slides.
We're leaving Friday from So. IL for Labelle Florida, about 35-40 miles east of Ft. Myers.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 384BR
2018 Ram cclb 4x4 6.7 cummins/aisin dually
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12-01-2020, 02:39 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
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We do pretty much the same as Fish, provided the site is somewhere near level.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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12-01-2020, 02:49 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We always ask for a pull through full hookups and they are most always long enough to stay hooked up. Most CGs ask for the length of the RV.
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12-01-2020, 02:58 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,596
M.O.C. #22835
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I do not unhook ONLY if the trailer is level (which almost always never happens). We do not boom dock in Wall Mart or Cracker Barrel parking lots. We always overnight in a campground: Good Sam or KOA campgrounds. And only very rarely have we been on a campsite that was completely level.
So we unhitch. It only takes a moment to unhitch, pull the truck forward about 4 feet and let auto level level the trailer. Then we are truly safe to pull the slides out.
I know there are those who say you can pull the slides out and not be level, but for me personally, I'm not a risk taker. I'll take the extra 5 minutes to unhitch, level, and set up so nothing goes wrong. When hitching up, everything is reversed. Simply back the truck straight back and hitch up again. With our Lippert 6 point auto level, the system remembers the height of the fifth wheel when retracting the jacks and makes it easy-peasy hitching back up.
Now, when we had our travel trailer with no slides, I very seldom ever unhitched. I'd slip lumber under the trailer tires and get it as close as possible, unless it was really on a front to rear slope. But with slide-outs, I want the camper level as possible and jacks down.... always.
I personally do not think there is a right or a wrong here. Test the waters with your own camper and see what works best for you. But when your wife slides off the bed at 2:30 am .... I think you WILL be releveling... in your pajamas!
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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12-01-2020, 04:18 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,933
M.O.C. #20477
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Dan,
First - welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn and share.
I generally only unhook if I need to fuel the truck or run out for dinner. Either way will work.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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12-01-2020, 04:51 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Lamesa
Posts: 621
M.O.C. #26010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DutchmenSport
I do not unhook ONLY if the trailer is level (which almost always never happens). We do not boom dock in Wall Mart or Cracker Barrel parking lots. We always overnight in a campground: Good Sam or KOA campgrounds. And only very rarely have we been on a campsite that was completely level.
So we unhitch. It only takes a moment to unhitch, pull the truck forward about 4 feet and let auto level level the trailer. Then we are truly safe to pull the slides out.
I know there are those who say you can pull the slides out and not be level, but for me personally, I'm not a risk taker. I'll take the extra 5 minutes to unhitch, level, and set up so nothing goes wrong. When hitching up, everything is reversed. Simply back the truck straight back and hitch up again. With our Lippert 6 point auto level, the system remembers the height of the fifth wheel when retracting the jacks and makes it easy-peasy hitching back up.
Now, when we had our travel trailer with no slides, I very seldom ever unhitched. I'd slip lumber under the trailer tires and get it as close as possible, unless it was really on a front to rear slope. But with slide-outs, I want the camper level as possible and jacks down.... always.
I personally do not think there is a right or a wrong here. Test the waters with your own camper and see what works best for you. But when your wife slides off the bed at 2:30 am .... I think you WILL be releveling... in your pajamas!
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^^^^^Same here. I used to stop and stay hooked up but that leaves you in some odd feeling situations....and didn't run with slides. Now, I unhook every time then level to avoid any issues and feel more comfortable. I always plan my stops anyway and with that I plan fuel and a nice restaurant...if available. I do however try to always stop by 4pm or so that I can do those things.
__________________
Danny and Susan wife of 55 years
2019 Ram Laramie 3500 6.4 4x4 CC 4.10 SRW
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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12-01-2020, 05:52 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough
^^^^^Same here. I used to stop and stay hooked up but that leaves you in some odd feeling situations....and didn't run with slides. Now, I unhook every time then level to avoid any issues and feel more comfortable. I always plan my stops anyway and with that I plan fuel and a nice restaurant...if available. I do however try to always stop by 4pm or so that I can do those things.
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I'm with these guys. It only takes me minutes to disconnect. I will stay connected if I can get it really close to level while connected. The fridges and slides do not like to be operated out of level.
As far as relieving the weight on the truck, that makes no sense at all. You travel 1000,s of miles down the road without worrying about that. Why worry when you are sitting still overnight.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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12-01-2020, 06:09 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 115
M.O.C. #25753
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Only stay connected on level ground such as overnighting in a parking lot. I always try to use the auto leveler before opening the slides. No sense putting any stress on things.
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
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12-01-2020, 06:17 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobStack
Only stay connected on level ground such as overnighting in a parking lot. I always try to use the auto leveler before opening the slides. No sense putting any stress on things.
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Do NOT under any circumstance use auto level when the trailer is still connected the tow vehicle. You will be sorry you did that !!!!!
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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12-01-2020, 08:45 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
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i just MAUALLY DROP THE FRONT LEGS.
i also disconnect the cable to the truck to avoid drain on our truck.
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12-02-2020, 08:19 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 382
M.O.C. #21993
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We always use Good Sam, KOA or something close to that. I only unhook if we are very close to level left to right looking at the Level Up display, don't worry about front to back (residential refrigerator) unless it is so bad the shower wont drain, it will drain on the road but not where you want it to.
IMHO leaning the slides too far off level does not seam like a good idea but that is a judgment call you have to make.
__________________
I was once intelligent beyond my years. Now, I’m years beyond my intelligence.
2020 Montana 3561 Legacy, everything except paint.
2018 Silverado 3500 DRW, 50Gal Transfer Flow, Andersen hitch.
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12-04-2020, 02:28 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Green Cove Springs
Posts: 10
M.O.C. #21918
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We full time rv in fifth wheel we drop rv go out eat meal fuel up eat meal next morning hook up and leave Lowe -home depot- bass pro- gander mountain are good place to ck with most let us stay overnight
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12-04-2020, 02:33 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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I am thrilled to stay in a level pull through on the road so that I do not have to disconnect.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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12-04-2020, 02:56 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 525
M.O.C. #19994
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I'm with B & J, we stay at CG's with pull thru sites, 95% of the time they are level, rarely need to unhook, been pulling a fiver for over 20 years
__________________
The "Black Pearl"-2017 3731FL Legacy Package
2017 F-450 Platinum, 6.7 PSD
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12-04-2020, 03:50 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Missoula
Posts: 137
M.O.C. #26938
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We unhook every night. We haven't been on a site yet that was completely level and don't want to run the tip outs if it is not level. As someone else said, if you're doing a hookup anyway to sewer, water, and power the little bit of time it takes to unhook is minimal. We only stay in RV parks. Don't do the WalMart etc. If we did, i might consider leaving it hooked up.
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12-04-2020, 06:52 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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May see you in Ft Myers. We arrive 1/3. I do NOT disconnect or drop landing gear if near level. Residential fridge makes a difference. I usually connect electric and water only.
__________________
John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
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12-05-2020, 02:51 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 503
M.O.C. #26851
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan G
Opinions please. Traveling to from Wisc to Ft Myers Fl leaving 12/28. 4 stops overnight. Do you folks disconnect the monte from your truck each night? A friend of mine who has full timed for years said he disconnects each night to give his springs on truck a break. He pulls 40 ft toy hauler with a f250 diesel. My truck is a f350 dually.
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For me it depends on what time I arrive and what time I intend to leave the next morning. Its all about time. For instance, If I arrive around 4-6 pm and I am leaving around 8-9 am I might unhook. If I arrive around 6-7 pm and leave at 7-8 the next morning I likely will stay hooked up but might drop my front jacks to take some weight off the truck and then drop my rear jacks for stability. In the AM I just hit “ retract all” and bring up the jacks, do a walk around, and hit the road.
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12-05-2020, 03:06 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 503
M.O.C. #26851
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikelff
For me it depends on what time I arrive and what time I intend to leave the next morning. Its all about time. For instance, If I arrive around 4-6 pm and I am leaving around 8-9 am I might unhook. If I arrive around 6-7 pm and leave at 7-8 the next morning I likely will stay hooked up but might drop my front jacks to take some weight off the truck and then drop my rear jacks for stability. In the AM I just hit “ retract all” and bring up the jacks, do a walk around, and hit the road.
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I only use pull through sites so as long as they are fairly level I will manually drop front and rear jacks to take a little weight off TV and add some stability.
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