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Old 05-27-2017, 01:26 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
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THOR #6090
Slide and stabilizers

We have a Thor 29.3 which has the extra long side. When the slide is extended we feel a slight sloping on that side of the MH even with our jacks down. Is this normal or do we need to look at getting slide stabilizers? Read that these stabilizer can also prevent any issues with the slide mechanism. Any suggestions on type of stabilizer will help also. Thanks.

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Old 05-27-2017, 02:05 PM   #2
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If you have a leveling system - it needs to have auto level reset after slide is out. Easiest was to get coach REALLY level is with water hose taped to trim at front and back and then side to side. Fill hose and water runs out low end.
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Old 05-27-2017, 03:42 PM   #3
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With my coach perfectly level with the slides in (using 4' aluminum level), putting the two drivers side slides out will tilt the coach 0.8 degrees even with the coach in concrete. It is easy to select manual level on the jack control panel and bring it back into level. That is even with Snap Pads on the jacks. On wet grass it can tilt even more, so I carry four 2x2' by 3/4" plywood squares to put under the jacks. I still have to touch up the level after the slides are out. I use the bathroom door as a guide to level. If partially open it should not move.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:13 PM   #4
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THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelingcat View Post
We have a Thor 29.3 which has the extra long side. When the slide is extended we feel a slight sloping on that side of the MH even with our jacks down. Is this normal or do we need to look at getting slide stabilizers? Read that these stabilizer can also prevent any issues with the slide mechanism. Any suggestions on type of stabilizer will help also. Thanks.
What would happen if motorhome is accidentally lowered due to a failure in leveling system while jacks are under the slide? Or if motorhome settles more than stabilizers? Seems that could cause major damage; possibly even to structure.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:53 PM   #5
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THOR #6507
Excellent Point

Chance, I was leaning towards getting the supports, not now. Great comment.
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Old 05-27-2017, 05:16 PM   #6
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Very good food for thought. If you really needed the slide stabilizers it would be a god idea to use scissor jacks next to auto levelers. Extra work.
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Old 05-27-2017, 06:25 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelingcat View Post
We have a Thor 29.3 which has the extra long side. When the slide is extended we feel a slight sloping on that side of the MH even with our jacks down. Is this normal or do we need to look at getting slide stabilizers? Read that these stabilizer can also prevent any issues with the slide mechanism. Any suggestions on type of stabilizer will help also. Thanks.
This is normal, especially with full wall slides. Stabilizers are not a good idea for the reasons mentioned above. You should also not re level your coach with the slide out, you could torque the frame and make it difficult, if not impossible to retract the slide. Just know that what you are experiencing is normal and not something to worry about. Enjoy your coach!
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Old 05-28-2017, 04:25 AM   #8
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Model: Ace 30.2
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THOR #5063
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Originally Posted by SuperD View Post
This is normal, especially with full wall slides. Stabilizers are not a good idea for the reasons mentioned above. You should also not re level your coach with the slide out, you could torque the frame and make it difficult, if not impossible to retract the slide. Just know that what you are experiencing is normal and not something to worry about. Enjoy your coach!
I was wondering if it was ok to relevel after the slide was out. I have a 30.2 with the full slide. I usually get the mh level(use a bubble level on the floor) then bump the slide side up a little more to hopefully compensate.
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Old 05-28-2017, 10:59 AM   #9
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There are two ways to support slides. Using a support under the slide going to the ground should never be used IMHO. If a jack stand leg settles or a tire deflates it could put way too much pressure on the slide. There are arms that go horizontally at the bottom of the slide between the exterior lip of the slide and the side of the coach. A set of these came with my unit but I have never used them.

Just a word of caution about re-leveling after your slides are deployed. I wouldn't do "auto level ", but instead go into manual mode and then adjust as needed by bumping arrow keys.
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Old 05-28-2017, 12:27 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Joe-FL View Post
Just a word of caution about re-leveling after your slides are deployed. I wouldn't do "auto level ", but instead go into manual mode and then adjust as needed by bumping arrow keys.
x2
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Old 05-28-2017, 03:01 PM   #11
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Model: Axis 24.4
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THOR #1150
Wouldn't it be easier to do the following:
Calibration:
  • Level the RV (auto or manually)
  • Put the slide(s) out
  • Measure the amount that the camper leans
When camping:
  • Level the RV (auto or manually)
  • Put some additional "tilt" in the camper equal to the amount of the lean measured in the calibration step above but in the opposite direction
  • Put the slide out
This way you're not leveling with the slide out, and you're pre-compensating for the drop the slide adds before you put the slide out.
(If we had power levelers this is the procedure I'd likely follow)
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Old 05-28-2017, 03:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
Wouldn't it be easier to do the following:
Calibration:
  • Level the RV (auto or manually)
  • Put the slide(s) out
  • Measure the amount that the camper leans
When camping:
  • Level the RV (auto or manually)
  • Put some additional "tilt" in the camper equal to the amount of the lean measured in the calibration step above but in the opposite direction
  • Put the slide out
This way you're not leveling with the slide out, and you're pre-compensating for the drop the slide adds before you put the slide out.
(If we had power levelers this is the procedure I'd likely follow)
EXCELLENT idea!!!
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Old 05-28-2017, 04:20 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctpres View Post
If you have a leveling system - it needs to have auto level reset after slide is out. Easiest was to get coach REALLY level is with water hose taped to trim at front and back and then side to side. Fill hose and water runs out low end.
There's these new fangled doodads I like to use called "bubble levels", the guy what thunk them up was a genius.
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