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03-22-2014, 09:03 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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Anderson Leveling system for 21'
Hi all, I've been asked to share some pictures of Anderson leveling wedges that I cut so they would work with the axle locations on the new 21. The files are as follows:
#4497 View of the cut levelers
#4502 Distance between center leveler and the tire after the cut
#4503 Ready to start leveling
#4505 On top with chalks installed
#4507 Completely down, levelers ready to be removed
#4509 Front tire is off the ground and ready for flat repair
#4511 Tip to center of hold = 2 5/16", Tip to end of cut = 1 1/2"
#4513 Angle of cut picture
I cut them with a table saw, only because that's the best way I had to control and match the cuts. These things are a little difficult to hold due to their shape and material ( they're slippery). I cut both levelers because I wanted both tires to rise at the same rate from the same starting point.
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03-22-2014, 09:35 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Marysville, Washington
Trailer: 2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
Posts: 652
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Thanks Tom!
I was looking at those things wondering how much to cut off the thick end
Your modification makes much more sense.
__________________
Paul & Norma
2013 Escape 21 & 2014 Chevy Silverado - sold
2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
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03-22-2014, 10:02 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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Thanks Paul, I didn't even think about cutting the thick end. It may have been an easier cut to control. I wanted all the thickness I could get for both leveling options and tire changing. As it is, the tire on the opposite axle barely clears the ground.
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03-22-2014, 10:04 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Portland, OR, Oregon
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #8
Posts: 437
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Thanks for the great post Tom. I was wondering about these too. Might have to pick up some.
Dave
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03-22-2014, 10:19 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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Levels
On my new 21, Escape placed the levels is areas that I'm not use to; one on the rear of the trailer, and one just aft of the door. With the level being on the rear of the trailer, even using the Anderson levelers, makes setup a two person job. I took the suggestion from one of the members on this forum and purchased a LED level for the front of the 21. These are cheap plastic units, but if they work, it'll make setup a one person job, and that will make me (and my wife) very happy.
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03-22-2014, 11:01 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
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Very, very good how-to pictures. I couldn't find that LED level on Amazon. Do you have a link?
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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03-22-2014, 11:37 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Palm Coast, Florida
Trailer: former owner-2014 5.0 TA #4 TV-Ram 1500 Eco Diesel
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenH
Very, very good how-to pictures. I couldn't find that LED level on Amazon. Do you have a link?
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Saw the post. Here is a link for the Hopkins Level Light Trailer Level with LED Indicator.
Hopkins Level Light Trailer Level with LED Indicator Hopkins Tools HM09215
Bob & Sue
Boca Raton, FL
Looking forward to the May pickup of our 21" 5.0
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03-22-2014, 11:41 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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I think you're right Donna. How do you keep track of all this? I could remember where I got the information, but not who I got it from. I do know that Jon is having good luck with his though, and that's why I purchased one for myself. You just can't beat personal experience.
Tom
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03-22-2014, 11:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,373
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While I still love the Anderson leveler, I have a love/hate relationship with the Hopkins level. It works great, and there has only been one case in very bright sun where I couldn't see it, but it is too easy to leave the thing on, and the batteries (2) cost almost as much as the entire level.
Second problem is the adhesive foam is soft enough that it is difficult keeping the level level. I solved that by drawing a line along side the body of the level & checking it when I turn it on, but no solution for the batteries.
Still, most of the time all I have to do is hop out, turn it on, toss the Anderson under the low wheel, and back (or pull forward) until the level lights. Quick & easy!
When I get back to NY I'm going to see if I can come up with an improved version...
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03-22-2014, 12:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Marysville, Washington
Trailer: 2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
Posts: 652
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Amazon has it for those who have free shipping with Prime (or not).
Amazon.com: Hopkins 09215 Level Light: Automotive
__________________
Paul & Norma
2013 Escape 21 & 2014 Chevy Silverado - sold
2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
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03-22-2014, 01:05 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21--FOR SALE
Posts: 411
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In the Escape Trailer Industries spirit of customizing products to match customer needs, I wonder if Andersen would produce a version of their levelers modified as Tom has done to suit the Escape 21. (And possibly the 19). ETI is selling a whack of Andersen hitches to Escape buyers, and the levelers could perhaps become part of the package.
__________________
Brent and Cheryl.
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03-22-2014, 01:56 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,550
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Great write up. Thanks for sharing what you did to make them work.
I am very interested in doing this too. Does anyone know if the 19 shares the same distance between the axles as the 21'.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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03-22-2014, 02:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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I'm in agreement about the Hopkins level and it's mounting pad. It's so flexible that I can move it off level (or on level) with a very lite touch. If it helps out with leveling the trailer, I'll be changing their mounting pad for one that holds it firm.
Tom
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03-23-2014, 12:52 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Northern, Maryland
Trailer: 2014 E21
Posts: 273
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Pardon a question from a noob, but why is it necessary to cut the Andersen leveling wedge when used on a 21? If the wedge is too long to sit flat, couldn't you simply place the between-wheel wedge so that it rests against the other tire and then, when trailer is moved, the wedge will drop into place? Even if that's not a good idea, why would it be necessary to cut both wedges (per side)? Wouldn't cutting one, the btw-wheel wedge, suffice?
__________________
Vella, Glenn, and Abigail
Escape 21
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03-23-2014, 06:48 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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Is it necessary to use these levelers under both wheels or will one suffice? The times I've had to use our blocks, I only had them supporting one axle. Thanks!
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03-23-2014, 07:28 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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With the tandem axle you would want both axles supported.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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03-23-2014, 08:08 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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I asked Reace the question about lifting only one axle so I could use a single leveler. He said that I should be lifting, and supporting, both axles while camping. He liked the idea, ease of use and security, of the Anderson levelers, and actually made the suggestion of cutting them to fit. Apparently, lifting only a single axle, or tire, is for servicing or changing the tire on the other.
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03-23-2014, 08:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abby
Pardon a question from a noob, but why is it necessary to cut the Andersen leveling wedge when used on a 21? If the wedge is too long to sit flat, couldn't you simply place the between-wheel wedge so that it rests against the other tire and then, when trailer is moved, the wedge will drop into place? Even if that's not a good idea, why would it be necessary to cut both wedges (per side)? Wouldn't cutting one, the btw-wheel wedge, suffice?
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Reace and I tried placing one Anderson leveler between the tires on my 21 and failed. There just isn't enough room, and with their shape, they never sit flat. I checked with the Anderson representative for our area about cutting the levelers. He said that they were designed with that in mind.
At first, I planned on cutting only one, but looking at it I decided to cut both. I wanted both tires to start at the same point on it's leveler and rise at the same rate. I didn't want to start the lift, stop part way up to place the short leveler between the tires, then finish the lift. I also thought it would be easier when coming off the levelers if they were both working in unison. I purchased the levelers to simplify the leveling process and hopefully I've done that. I may be wrong in this thinking, but that's how I did it.
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