Leveling Tires @ Campsite - Montana Owners Club

mtpocket2 · 08-23-2006, 05:21 AM

New to all this fun stuff. What do you carry for leveling the trailer at campsites. I am curious what people use when you need to raise the wheels on one side small amounts. If a full piece of 2X6 is to much what now? Without it you can feel the lean one way or another. I am told dont use the jacks on the front and back to level. Just put them down and 3/4's of a turn at most. I am thinking 1X6 would break spanning 2 tires or just get pushed out of the way. There was no gravel to pile under the tires at the campsite.

Montana Sky · 08-23-2006, 05:25 AM

I carry a few small boards I use for leveling. If they are too large, I have what looks like lego pieces. You can stack them ontop of each other to and back onto them. They work pretty good. Mine are orange in color, but here is a link for the general idea.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...D=4155:src=FPC

2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL

mtpocket2 · 08-23-2006, 05:30 AM

I saw those and wondered if they work. Now I know. Have to get some. Thanks.

31 RLD
Ram 2500 Quad 4X4 Diesel

Ozzie · 08-23-2006, 05:50 AM

I have 3-8 ft 2X6's that I that I use for leveling. I also have the leveling blocks, but found they clogged up with dirt too easily in our area (you can put something under them for that too).
Those boards let me get from approx 3/4 to 4 1/2 inches side to side and when in tow they ride on the rear bumper with bungy cords.

327RKS

Parrothead · 08-23-2006, 05:51 AM

We have used the orange thingies exclusively ever since we started 5th wheeling many, many years ago. We still have the original ones. We've broke a couple but replaced them. (You can buy just 4 in a package.) The case they come in is still good also after all these years.
Happy trails.........................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

tweir · 08-23-2006, 06:01 AM

We have the wedge-shaped "lego" pieces that taper from 0" to about 3"---fairly cheap @Camping World.

Thomas J.
'05 3500 DRW Duramax Crew Cab
'04 Montana 3685 FL
"What WAS the greastest thing BEFORE sliced bread?"

rickfox · 08-23-2006, 06:04 AM

I use 1"x6"x8" and 2"x6"x8" boards, and place 2 sets of equal height boards - one for each tire.

By looking at our side-to-side level mounted to the coach, I have learned to be a pretty good guesser as how much wood height will be required.

There have been instances where we needed as much a 6" on one side. In cases like this, I have backed up on one 2"x6" placed behind each tire (on the side that needs to be raised), then placed another stack of two 2"x6" in front of each tire, and then moved forward onto them to raise that side up to the 4" height. This can be done as many times as needed to get to the correct height.

To get level sometimes takes quite a few boards, especially when many times you will also need boards for other locations, such as the back and front jacks, and also the pinbox stabilizer. I thus found it less expensive to use wood.

Rick & Wanda
2003 2500HD Crew Cab
Duramax with Allison Trans.
Firestone Airbags
Glide-Ride Pinbox - It's Great!
2006 3400RL - We Love The Trailer!

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lightningjack11 · 08-23-2006, 06:47 AM

Here is what I do.

I have a "hoppy" level gage on the Monty pin box that I can see in the rear view mirror. I pull in the campsite and pull forward or back for best level. Sometimes a foot makes all the difference. Then I get my 2X6's and lay 2 at each tire near the unbalance side. Then I pull up on the boards. Chock, chock chock. Then I extend the front jacks and unhook. Then I have a level near the jack switch and bring the trailer to level. Also keep smaller thinner board and use as required.

Tom and Betty
1997 F250 PSD/AutoTranny
DIY Exaust Brake w/TC lockup
AutoMeter Tranny/EGT Gage
Translife Tranny Cooler
Superchips Towsafe
16K Draw-tite Slider
2000 Montana 2850RK

jpkelpe · 08-23-2006, 12:03 PM

How long are your 2x6's

Paul and Jan Kelpe
Omaha, NE
2005 Mountaineer 298RLS
2005 Chevy Silverado HD 2500 4x4 ext cab with Duramax/Allison

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Glenn and Lorraine · 08-23-2006, 12:39 PM

I carry 6 or 8 2X8s about 15 inches long. I also had the plastic Lego like blocks but found scrap lumber cheaper so if I lost one or break one who cares. There's always another construction site near by and usually they are only to happy to get rid of some scrap pieces and now you know why I carry a 7 1/4" circular saw.

Now here's a little trick I learned.
If you need to raise the rig 2 inches use 2 2X8s, one under each tire. But what if you only need to raise it an INCH and all you have are 2X8s?? Carry 1X lumber? NO need to! Cut a 2X in half? NO not hardly! Don't bother as it's only an inch? NO! Even an inch is a lot if your sittin for any length of time.
It's really quite simple. Just use 1 2X8 under one of the tires and nothing under the other and it'll be level. Don't believe me?? Don't blame ya. I didn't believe it either until I tried it. Next time you have the rig hooked up give it a try.

Glenn
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Ozz · 08-23-2006, 01:08 PM

Well..........
I am, as you all know a gadget person, so I went with the Tire leveling air bags, pretty sweet, just drive on them, air as high as needed and there you are, I really like them. Very durable, if they leak, you will get another in the mail ASAP.
Ozz
http://i8.tinypic.com/25g48lj.jpg
http://i8.tinypic.com/25g4go0.jpg

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup Camera, Awning lock

JH Sechelt · 08-23-2006, 01:26 PM

I bought a 10' 2 x 10 and cut it into two 5 ' pcs.

Used a skillsaw and cut on a 45 ( easy to drive up on ).
If 1 1/2" is too high, (one board ) I might just back one wheel up on it. That seems to make it about 3/4 of an inch.
If it takes more then the two full boards it might be time to look for a better spot.

J&D

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[IMG]John & Dawn

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
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Glenn and Lorraine · 08-23-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

Well..........
I am, as you all know a gadget person, so I went with the Tire leveling air bags, pretty sweet, just drive on them, air as high as needed and there you are, I really like them. Very durable, if they leak, you will get another in the mail ASAP.
Ozz
http://i8.tinypic.com/25g48lj.jpg
http://i8.tinypic.com/25g4go0.jpg

Do I dare to ask how much?? Also are they good for the six month stays?

Ozz · 08-23-2006, 02:08 PM

Glenn,
I was just asking Sue how much they were, she said....not cheap. Now that either means she didn't think I should have bought them, OR, she just didn't remember.
I seem to remember they were around $70.00 each, but don't quote me on that.
It will be a neat treasure hunt for the folks to search Good Sam's Forum, it's in there somewhere.
They hold air really well.
I know your experience as a Firefighter has acquainted yourself with the air bags, lifting cars, and such.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup Camera, Awning lock

kwbosch · 08-24-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

Well..........
I am, as you all know a gadget person, so I went with the Tire leveling air bags, pretty sweet, just drive on them, air as high as needed and there you are, I really like them. Very durable, if they leak, you will get another in the mail ASAP.
Ozz
http://i8.tinypic.com/25g48lj.jpg
http://i8.tinypic.com/25g4go0.jpg

Ozz,

I have a dumb question for you. How stable is the trailer when it's on the airbags?

Thanks,

Ken

Ken & Tina in Riverside, Ca.
MOC-3237
'04 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie SWB 2WD
5.9 Cummins 600 Turbo Diesel & Auto Trans 3.73 Diff.
--Pulling--
'05 Montana 3400RL w/ PullRite SuperGlide & Prodigy Brake Control
LA Marathon Runner,'03, '04 & '05, Training for LA Marathon 2007!

Ozzie · 08-24-2006, 09:53 AM

kwbosch - I have to admit this was the first thing I thought of as well.
Thinking back in the old days of sleeping on air mattresses and the like - movement was hard if not impossible to control.

I'm sure that the technology must have improved dramatically (every thing else has, eh?)for these to even become available.
I'm a gadget person as well, and this is the first I've heard of these units. I'm amazed...

327RKS

Ozz · 08-24-2006, 10:57 AM

It's like a rock, the bag actually cradels the wheel, I know what you mean, but it's stable.
Look at the Q. & A. in their website, it has good info.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

boat391 · 08-24-2006, 02:37 PM

ok next dumb question is how high will they go if your off as much as 6 inches side to side will they do the trick or just for small differences?

tim ford

Ozz · 08-24-2006, 03:15 PM

I think just smaller heights, like 4" maybe. Hey Tim, stop parking half way in the gulch! Just kidding....
I know where we want to park, sometimes is pretty rough.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

WildBigBill · 08-24-2006, 03:48 PM

We use 2X8's. Carry two 5' and two 2.5'. Usualy one 6' or one 5'& one 2.5' does the trick.

Bill & Sue

2005 Monty 3400RL
2005 F-350 Lariat SC PSD 4X4 DRW 8'BOX Reese 24K Hitch

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