leveling a tandem axle trailer

[ChrisT]

This may be a little ignorant, but i've had a 17sd casita for 15 years a nd leveling side to side meant put blocks under one wheel. With a tandem, do you do both wheels and is it awkward driving up onto the blocks? I ask because i have an Escape 19 on order.

[Vermilye]

You should support both axles since supporting only one may put too much weight on the raised axle. Generally, not a problem with boards, leggo blocks or Anderson type levelers, although the Anderson does need to be cut down to fit between the wheels.

[Eggscape]

If you are new to dual axles…you can also change a flat tire without a jack. Just loosen the nuts a very small amount on the flat tire, then drive up on blocks with the good wheel. This will put the flat tire in the air to change.

[kathytony1985]

We use the Andersen levelers, cut down, and they work perfect for our 21NE.

[John in Santa Cruz]

ditto on the andersens...



you can see, the one on the left has its skinny end cut down about 3-4 inches, this is so it will fit between the tires. in this picture they are near their maximum lift, its not often I have to jack one side up that high to level.

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

If you are new to dual axles…you can also change a flat tire without a jack. Just loosen the nuts a very small amount on the flat tire, then drive up on blocks with the good wheel. This will put the flat tire in the air to change.

Plus you can even drive your trailer slowly with a flat, to someplace safe. I've done it. Why I wanted the E19.

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by ChrisT

This may be a little ignorant, but i've had a 17sd casita for 15 years a nd leveling side to side meant put blocks under one wheel. With a tandem, do you do both wheels and is it awkward driving up onto the blocks? I ask because i have an Escape 19 on order.

We use the Hopkins 08200 Endurance Leveling System, Chris and love it!

[Steve Clark]

Here are some photos

[MVA]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

ditto on the andersens...



you can see, the one on the left has its skinny end cut down about 3-4 inches, this is so it will fit between the tires. in this picture they are near their maximum lift, its not often I have to jack one side up that high to level.

John,

Perhaps dumb question. I currently use the "lego block" type levelers. When using the Andersen wedge/ramp style, how difficult is it to remove them once the back wedge is inserted? I was concerned that the small back wedge would be "jammed" under the main ramp and difficult to remove.

Issue?

[brroberts]

i have some kind of ramp style levelers and legos. Seldom do I need the legos for more height than the curved ramps. Mine too are cut to fit between wheels. The wedge seldom gets stuck, but when it does, moving the trailer a slight amount is enough to remove them for leaving.

[kathytony1985]

We use the Legos under our stabilizers and our tongue jack, and the Andersen under the wheels. What brroberts said, just move the trailer slightly forward if the wedges are difficult to remove.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by MVA

John,

Perhaps dumb question. I currently use the "lego block" type levelers. When using the Andersen wedge/ramp style, how difficult is it to remove them once the back wedge is inserted? I was concerned that the small back wedge would be "jammed" under the main ramp and difficult to remove.

Issue?

as they said, move up a bit to lift the curved 'wedge' off the chocking wedge, then they come out easily. when I'm leveling, after getting the trailer to the right height and putting the chock wedges under it, I put the truck in neutral and let off the brake so the trailer finds its happy place, THEN I chock the other wheel, THEN I work the nose jack to unhitch, and yes, I use lego blocks under the nose jack and the stabilizers.

[Ron in BC]

My view on camp sites is "whatever it takes."

Sometimes a campsite is located in the perfect position, like on the beach, but there's extra work involved to use it. There were plenty of flat campsites available in this park but not on the beach.

It was a strange site, almost like it was only meant for a tent. I ended up parked across a side hill. Well, scritch out a divot for the uphill wheels and double blocks on the downhill side and we had the best site in the place.

Ron

[MVA]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

as they said, move up a bit to lift the curved 'wedge' off the chocking wedge, then they come out easily. when I'm leveling, after getting the trailer to the right height and putting the chock wedges under it, I put the truck in neutral and let off the brake so the trailer finds its happy place, THEN I chock the other wheel, THEN I work the nose jack to unhitch, and yes, I use lego blocks under the nose jack and the stabilizers.

Got it - thanks.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

My view on camp sites is "whatever it takes."

Sometimes a campsite is located in the perfect position, like on the beach, but there's extra work involved to use it. There were plenty of flat campsites available in this park but not on the beach.

It was a strange site, almost like it was only meant for a tent. I ended up parked across a side hill. Well, scritch out a divot for the uphill wheels and double blocks on the downhill side and we had the best site in the place.

Ron

Great spot with a great view.....

[marsman]

Another option is to use the Camco RV Curved Leveller; this is what I have. They are essentially the same as the Anderson but shorter so you don't have to modify them to fit in between the wheels. Here in Canada they were bit cheaper than the Anderson and work just as well I think.

Link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Curved-...86&sr=8-7&th=1

[ChrisT]

Just wanted to thank everybody for their input. I've just ordered two sets of the hopkins 08200. When we're staying at the kids property near La Push, Washington, we need to have the trailer raised up to drain the black tank into the portable black tank with the Casita. I'm expecting the same with the 19. The first time we tried this maneuver I didn't take the vent cap all the way off and the **** hit the fan, so to speak. Which makes us both wish that the escapes actually have a 19 gallon tank. Thanks again to all your responses.

[AKCamper]

Another tip for leveling your trailer is to get the app called level remote . Install it on two phones and put one in the trailer and have one in the truck. Link them together and you can see when the trailer is level from the truck. The app is free. I actually upgraded to the pro version since it has more features and is really cheap.

[Ron in BC]

Does the app tell you, "one thin block or one thick block?". My wife does with deadly accuracy. Guess I won't replace her with an app.

Ron

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Does the app tell you, "one thin block or one thick block?". My wife does with deadly accuracy. Guess I won't replace her with an app.

Ron