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Leveling?

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Miscellaneous / Off-topic
Forum Description: Got something to share or a question to ask. Do it here...
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=190
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 6:41pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Leveling?
Posted By: Terri
Subject: Leveling?
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2009 at 12:54pm
Can someone please clarify whether or not the rear stabilizers can be used as leveling jacks? If not, what's everyone out there using to level their pod? Thanks! 

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Terri, Denver CO



Replies:
Posted By: Stan and Linda Irvin
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2009 at 2:48pm
Terri,
We buckled ours on the first outing. Thinking that they were strong enough to level. My opinion is that they can not be used to level with weight. They are good to stabilize only.
In maintenance and tips (I think) or Misc. I posted pictures of where we changed our standard stabilizers for scissor jacks. They increased the stability 100% not to mention combined weight lifting of 4,000#. Star


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Stan and Linda


Posted By: jherald02
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 3:29am

It is highly recommended that you don't use these for leveling.  To level mine,  I unhook, then pull the car away.  The I lower the front jack until the rig is level.  Then I put the stabilizers down to keep it from tipping.



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Let's hit the road!


Posted By: Terri
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 5:25am
Thanks to you both for the responses. I'm going to look into getting the scissor jacks installed. Stan and Linda, do you happen to remember what type jack/manufacturer you used? The lower jack does just fine for leveling the pod from front to back- its leveling from side-to-side that I'm having issues with.

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Terri, Denver CO


Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 7:23am
Somebody went to a junk yard and got a couple of scissor jacks from cars.  They got a good deal.  Just an idea.

Another thing that you can do is get a socket that will fit the end of the levelers or jacks and use a cordless drill to run them up and down.  Much faster!

Terry


Posted By: Stan and Linda Irvin
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 11:07am
Terri,
We acquired ours from some old police cruisers. They are Ford/Lincoln scissor jacks. Like Terry said you can pick them up at junk yards or new through part house.


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Stan and Linda


Posted By: admin
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 11:55am
Try Harbor Freight!


Posted By: admin
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 11:56am
Originally posted by jherald02 jherald02 wrote:

It is highly recommended that you don't use these for leveling.  To level mine,  I unhook, then pull the car away.  The I lower the front jack until the rig is level.  Then I put the stabilizers down to keep it from tipping.
That is exactly how you should do it... they are not designed to support the weight of the trailer...


Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 12:59pm
  Side to side leveling should I believe be done with supports under the wheels. I haven"t seen that mentioned.      David
                                                                                                                  


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SWFL   171
2010 Jeep Liberty


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 3:49pm
We bought the Bal Light Trailer Tire leveler from http://www.jcwhitney.com.  It works great for side to side leveling.  My husband loves it.  So easy to use.


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Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 3:52pm
Here's the item # for the Bal leveler thru JCWhitney

ZX482088X


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Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2009 at 12:06am
The one problem with leveling the trailer is, in stock form, you are trying to level it and stabilize it using 3 points.  To do both correctly you need 4 points of adjustments.  One in each corner.  Using 4 jacks as mentioned would work perfectly.  You can get it level and it would be rock solid.Wink

Terry


Posted By: PriceJC
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2009 at 4:08pm
I recently upgraded to the r-pod (171) because my dog figured out how to get out of the pop-up - which defeated the whole purpose of having it.  I am a skydiver, and like to take my dog with me to the dropzone, but watned a cool place for her to stay while I am jumping (the dropzone is where most of my "camping" is done - although with my r-pod, I am thinking I need to hit the road for some real camping).
 
Anyway, I noticed your post that you had the BAL Light Trailer Tire Leveler.  I kept the one I used with my pop-up (the manufacturers model number is 28050), and was curious if it would work with the r-pod.  I am glad to see you use one and have had luck with it.
 
I also noticed you had additional stabilizer jacks added to the front.  I don't have these, and will consider getting them.  But was wondering if it was something I needed to do right away, or can I use my r-pod and feel comfortable with the stability without them for now.
 
Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!!


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2009 at 6:48pm
Congratulations on your 171.  Dog's are no dummies.  Got me one too that figures things out.

YIKES!!!  Skydiving....you're brave or crazyLOL  I freak out in a glass elevator, can't imagine falling from the sky.

No you don't have to add them right away or at all.  The additional stabilizer jacks was a personal choice.  We just didn't like the wiggle we felt going in and out and walking around inside after our first maiden voyage.  Keep in mind when you get jacks, you need to use caution where and how you install them.  If you don't install them correctly, you could damage the under body or end up with a hole in the floor.  The dealer had to install a metal plate to the bottom to add the jacks.   We are not "handy" at things like that.  The cost was $140 to have them to do it.  It was worth it to us, it sits very solid, and the new jacks are so much nicer then the standard ones that come on the back.  There are jack stands that are more reasonable, little more work, but another option.  Just remember to be careful where you put them.

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Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: Mary & Don
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2009 at 5:20am
Amazon.com also has this leveler for $54.97.


Posted By: Terri
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2009 at 1:40pm
Thanks so much for taking the time to dig up the JC Whitney part number for me!

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Terri, Denver CO


Posted By: Mustard
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2009 at 5:42pm
Very low quality jack not intended to lift very much.  The jacks (Domar Ind) are rated for 700 Lbs lift and 1000 Lbs static.  I think they're over rated.  Mine bent without very much effort at all.  I replace mine with scissor jacks and moved the original jacks (after fixing one) to the front for maximum stabilization.  You can see pictures under "Maintenance Tips & Tricks" and the subtopic "Bend a jack yet?".

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:-)
Mustard



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