When leveling up, slides in or out

[bedbug123]

When you are leveling your coach on your camp site should you leave the slides in until level, then open them? Or open them then level?
Any normal rules to follow?

I have a hurricane 32', 2006.......two slides

[lwmcguir]

You're going to get several different answers

Since I have had slides, many years ago I always level first and extend, same goes, slides in and then retract

Less stress on the slides and many folks have slide issues. I have never had a slide issue in 30 plus years of RV's with slides, almost all hydraulic but a couple electric in the mix

If your on a soft campsite, use blocks, that will help minimize settling

You can level again if one side tends to sink or settle

I always like the bed side an inch higher so I always manual level which is faster and leaves your coach closer to the ground

From an engineering standpoint less stress if better for the slides

[Sappy2]

It is very much advised that the first opertaion at the camp is levelong. If you coach is not level or in any way has a twist, that can affect the slide operation. In my coach there is a big decal next to the slide switch that says to level the coach before operating slides.

[16ACE27]

There's only one right answer: Don't operate your slides in an unlevel RV. Every slide system ever built will tell you to only operate slides when level.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

There's only one right answer: Don't operate your slides in an unlevel RV. Every slide system ever built will tell you to only operate slides when level.

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1649090468

[MJC62]

Yep what they said! Level 1st then slides.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by bedbug123

When you are leveling your coach on your camp site should you leave the slides in until level, then open them? Or open them then level?
Any normal rules to follow?

I have a hurricane 32', 2006.......two slides

Have you read your owners manual to see what it says? My manual allows either and I have email confirmation of that from Entegra.

My preference is level, hookup, get lawn chairs etc… out of the storage compartments and then extend the slides.

[Largo]

I level first, extend full side then relevel if necessary. I do not attempt to be perfect level.

[powerboatr]

my damon tuscany states
LEVEL 1st, then do the slides


engine has to be on during leveling, and off for slides to operate




reverse when leaving camp






i have re-adjusted level a few times after we are set up, if site mushes a bit and i leave slides out. but this is manual leveling.

[Lt Keefer]

I level, hook up electrical, get stuff out of the basement under the slide, then extend slide.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

I level, hook up electrical, get stuff out of the basement under the slide, then extend slide.

Just like that... unless like me I forget to get the stuff out of compartments under the slide

I get as level as possible, then extend the slide. The caveat is when the slide is extended the weight of the slide will occasionally make that side lower... so I bump the levelers on the slide side up a little.

Like others have stated... We like the head of the bed just a tad higher. I adjust for that at the end.

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

I respect how much wt these jacks lift. Lets say your RV is 20,000 lbs gross. Each lift is supporting 5,000 lbs, with slide in. Now, lets say your slide weight is 800Lbs each corner. If you extend the slide 3ft., that left hand side jack needs to support another 2400lbs. Just sayin... The only mistake so far. is retracting the slide with the bathroom door open go figure... ugh!

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by txc2936@yahoo.com

I respect how much wt these jacks lift. Lets say your RV is 20,000 lbs gross. Each lift is supporting 5,000 lbs, with slide in. Now, lets say your slide weight is 800Lbs each corner. If you extend the slide 3ft., that left hand side jack needs to support another 2400lbs. Just sayin... The only mistake so far. is retracting the slide with the bathroom door open go figure... ugh!

Make a simple "camp teardown" checklist. Revise it the first few times using it. Just doing that exercise will force you to remember. The bonus is I think it makes routines like this go faster with fewer mistakes.

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

Agree, my wife and i use walkie - talkie during this phase. She is outside and watching as the slide out extends, I bet there is nothing worse than running your slide out into a pwr pole or something, i don't want to experience that unfortunate occurrence. I am inside watching not to scrap the back of the drivers seat as the slide goes out. Also, THOR requests that you hold the switch for a few seconds after the slide out extends, to get the motors sync's.. All about keeping the RV like new. And the DOG loves to sit on the couch and take the ride!!

[Kona Tom]

Level prior to extending slide out. Bring in while level. Always the best approach.

[Galobo]

Originally Posted by lwmcguir

You're going to get several different answers

Since I have had slides, many years ago I always level first and extend, same goes, slides in and then retract

Less stress on the slides and many folks have slide issues. I have never had a slide issue in 30 plus years of RV's with slides, almost all hydraulic but a couple electric in the mix

If your on a soft campsite, use blocks, that will help minimize settling

You can level again if one side tends to sink or settle

I always like the bed side an inch higher so I always manual level which is faster and leaves your coach closer to the ground

From an engineering standpoint less stress if better for the slides

Perfect advice, we pretty much follow the above procedure.

[MLP]

Level first. It puts less stress on all the slide mechanisms. Why would you want to add stress to them? In my case, I level, plug in to the power post, water, and sewer. Then put the slides out. I don't like to put undo stress on my old back, knees, and foot going under the slide to do all this. Then turn the diesel engine off. This allows more than sufficient time to cool the turbo charger down as well. It does not take much time to hook up so long as your are organized.

[Nethers]

My MH needs the engine running to level it, slides won’t work with the engine running or even with the key in the ignition so the obvious for me is Level then Slides. (It was also the order I did when I had a 5th wheel)

[crazylegs]

Originally Posted by bedbug123

When you are leveling your coach on your camp site should you leave the slides in until level, then open them? Or open them then level?
Any normal rules to follow?

I have a hurricane 32', 2006.......two slides

If you own a motorhome that has the slides overlap with the sides then you level first and the put the slides out. This is the best solution for most units.

If you own a higher end motorhome that has the slides cut from a single wall so that the slides recess flush with the walls, then you put the slides out first and then level. If not the levelling may warp and jam the slides.

[Logcabiny]

MUST read manual and follow instructions. Do not just rely on forum information! Some units require slides out first then level and others are just the opposite so follow your manufacturer's orders.