Page 17
Page 17
SECTION
3
Weight, Loading and Towing
in front of or behind the low side tires. Drive onto the
boards and recheck the level. If you use more than one
board, stagger them so the wheels roll up the boards
one at a time.
7.) Use the tongue jack (travel trailer) or landing gear (fifth
wheel) to adjust your front to back level, lower the
stabilizers to the ground to help prevent rocking. After
stabilizing the unit, be sure the frame is not twisted,
buckled or stressed. Be sure that all doors and windows
operate freely.
NOTE:
BEFORE MOVING YOUR RV, BE SURE ALL
STABILIZERS (AND STEPS) ARE REMOVED OR FULLY
RETRACTED.
DO NOT RAISE THE JACKS ON THE FIFTH
WHEEL UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THE FIFTH
WHEEL IS POSITIONED ACCURATELY ON THE TOW
VEHICLE.
MANUAL OPERATION
OF FIFTH WHEEL JACKS
The fifth wheel manual jack uses a hand crank on the side
of the unit to raise or lower the fifth wheel from the front. The
jacks are used to raise or lower the fifth wheel onto or off of
the tow vehicle hitch and for leveling the unit front to back.
1.) To lift the fifth wheel for hitching or unhitching, drop the
pad tube by removing the lock pin. Insert the pin in the
hole that places the pad closest to the ground. This will
compensate
for variations
in terrain. If
parked on a
level surface,
keep both sides
pinned in the
same position.
2.) Open the cover
on the side of
the unit and
insert the hand
crank into the
alignment tube
until the end
engages the
crank shaft.
3.) Turn the crank handle counterclockwise to raise the fifth
wheel and clockwise to lower.
4.) When retracting the jacks, raise them as far as possible
with the crank handle. Remove the lock pin and raise the
pad tube, re-pinning in the highest possible position.
5.) Remove and store the jack crank handle. Close and
secure the access door.
Install the large level
on the front of your
unit so it is visable
from the drivers’ seat
of the tow vehicle.
Install the small level
on the side of the
trailer so you can also
see it from the driver’s
seat as you operate the tongue jack or landing gear.
2.) Since your unit has two axles, cut or purchase three
lengths of 2”x8” wood (with no knots or cracks). Some
manufacturers recommend 2”x6” pieces of wood.(Since
your tires should never hang over the edge of the leveling
boards, the 8” gives you a little more room to manuever.)
If you prefer, there are heavy duty plastic blocks you can
purchase to use in place of the wood.
3.) To determine the length of board needed, measure the
distance between the axle hubs and add 18-24”. (The
board should be long enough to allow the tire to rest
completely on the board).
If you have difficulty controlling the rig when backing onto
the boards, add extra length. The second board should be
5” longer than the first one and the third board should be
5” longer than the second one.
You may need various sizes of smaller boards for use
under jacks and stabilizers. Another possibility is using
plastic blocks that can be purchased at most any RV
camping store. Smaller trailers also may be able to use
leveling ramps instead of the boards but note the weight
restrictions on the ramps and compare it to the weight of
your trailer.
4.) Choose a site that is as level as possible. Be sure the
ground is not soft and will support the weight of the trailer.
NOTE:
WHEN IT RAINS, WATER MAY COLLECT IN THE
BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW FRAME AND DRAIN OUT OF
THE WEEP HOLES, MADE FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOUR
UNIT IS NOT LEVEL, THE WATER MAY NOT DRAIN OUT
PROPERLY. THIS COULD CAUSE WATER DAMAGE TO THE
WINDOW OR WALL AND COULD BREED MOLD DUE TO
CONDENSATION.
5.) Before unhitching the trailer from the tow vehicle, level
the unit from side to side with the appropriate length of
wood, being sure to use chocks or wood blocks in front
of the wheels to prevent the trailer from rolling. Once it
is level side to side, you may unhitch and remove the
chocks, then level it front to back. Sometimes if you move
the RV a foot or two, it will be level enough not to need
the wood planks.
6.) If additional leveling is necessary, using the leveling
boards you made before your trip, place one or more
WARNING
Scissor Jack
5th Wheel Landing Gear manual
operation insert Crank Handle into
Actuator Opening located inside
the LP Compartment
‘WARNING’ indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
