strange leveling phenomena

**Tweety** · 11-16-2010, 06:55 AM

Has anyone else had this problem? When we level the Tweety we need to level it using a level in the bedroom (which is in the back) or our heads will be down hill. If we put the level in the front living area, the back is off level in a downhill direction. If the bedroom is level the front is off level. What's with that? The frame looks alright underneath.

**Sunline Fan** · 11-16-2010, 02:48 PM

Oh yeah. I think there is that much flex in the frame. I only put one level on the side of the coach, and I take it with a grain of salt now. When I leveled it to measure for setting the hitch, I put the level right on the frame rail in the center, and even that was difficult with all the stuff in the way.

I guess the easiest way to compensate for this would be to put levels on all corners as well as the center of the trailer. Then use your jacks to pick it up to level each part out. It shouldn't take much to level out that flex.

I have to say, I can't say I noticed it nearly as much with all the older ones I've had, but I sure have noticed it with the 286SR.

ihsolutions · 11-16-2010, 02:58 PM

I noticed it a lot with my T-2570, and I noticed it a ton on the 33' F-293SR fifth wheel. Strangely, my 38+ foot Heartland Big Horn, doesn't have to be nearly perfect and I can't tell at all when lying in bed. I'm acutely aware of un-level rigs, it drives me crazy. My wife will tell you stories about me leaving a warm dry rig in the middle of a rainstorm, because I can't tolerate an off-level situation...

henryj · 11-16-2010, 06:37 PM

I would level it as you normally do and then take a bunch of shots, including the bed. These things weren't built by cabinetmakers and it wouldn't surprise me to find the bed frame off compared to the floor.

I level the 2499 with a torpedo placed on the vinyl floor inside the back door. I'm not really sensitive and take just one shot lengthwise and one width wise. I have noticed that the level reads differently if it's just inside the door compared to a foot or two into the living room so I wouldn't be at all surprised if you find a similar situation. Some people maintain that the only level that matters is the fridge frame. I just don't believe they are that sensitive and if my torpedo says the floor is level that's good enough for the fridge too... and the bed.

Henry

**JohnB** · 11-16-2010, 09:19 PM

Pam, yes as others have said there is frame flex. If you really want to see how good or bad it is…. Take a long thin string (or thin wire like a MIG welding wire. Mr Tweety may have access to some) but the sting will show it too. Attach at the back of the frame rail on the bottom and go all the way to the front. Pull it tight and look…..

You will most likely find. From the header to the axles is a sag. The axles area is straight and then behind the axle to the back sags backwards down hill. You are also on the 2005 redesign 6” I beam frame rail. It should be stronger due to the 6” over the prior 2004 and before 5” channel. Even my T310 has frame sag. I think it is 10” I beam same as Jon’s 286.

I use a torpedo level inside on the tile floor about 6 feet behind the rear axle which in my case is about the middle of the slide. I do this for left to right. If I do it in the back just inside the door it can be off.

Like Jeff I am very much aware of being off level even a little bit. It does drive me nuts and why I can tell it, good question but I can.

When I set the hitch, I check at the siding, inside on the floor and to get a average “level” front to back. For sure do not use the A frame as many point slight up hill on how they are welded on. The front of the frame rail is an option. Anything much past the front by the header starts sagging up to the axles.

**Sunline Fan** · 11-16-2010, 09:42 PM

My dad is also sensitive to it being level, actually he just really hates it when his head is downhill. So when I level, I've gotten to be less concerned with being exact, I just get it between the bubble lines and preferably sloping it slightly forward so our heads are up. I have a small basket thing inside my main entry door and I also have a 6" torpedo level that lives in there. I use the one on the sidewall to adjust it right after I unhook, and if terrain is uneven, then I pull out the 6" and level inside on the floor.

**Tweety** · 11-17-2010, 05:01 AM

I feel better knowing that Tweety is normal! Henry, we have checked the bed platform, as that was my first thought, and it is level with respect to the bedroom floor. John B...I am interested in doing and will report the results of the string test when we get a chance to do it. I am in charge of telling Mr Tweety when to stop the electric tongue jack, and have been leveling by putting the level on the floor just inside the bedroom door. I can't sleep with my head down or I get a headache.

awellis3 · 11-19-2010, 06:40 AM

For Penny and me, having a perfectly level bed isn't as much of an issue as a level cook top. Before attaching the bubble levels to the outside of the trailer, I put our cast iron griddle across two burners and put a bull's-eye level in the center, leveling the trailer with respect to the griddle.

I hate it when my fried egg slides off the griddle!!

Nowhattamean?

Wright

BobNKaren · 11-20-2010, 07:38 AM

I gave up with outside levels. For a while I leveled the trailer by putting the level on the fridge, then I noticed that the bathroom door would just slowly open to a 90 deg angle to the opening. So now I just make sure that the door just swing open to a 90 deg angle. Bathroom is just across from the fridge and they are over the axels.