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Old 08-27-2011, 01:05 PM   #1
mrgoodwx
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Default Un-level ground and Trailmanors

Hi folks. My wife and I have been "pop-up campers" for 16 years, and are considering a Trailmanor (and a few other campers). We just drove 400 miles to look at campers this past week. After looking at several Trailmanors at one RV dealer, we went to a nearby dealer to look at non-folding campers. When we told the salesman we had been looking at Trailmanors, he commented that unless the ground is VERY level, you can't raise a Trailmanor.

Okay...I would think you need a pretty level spot to raise a Trailmanor, but is this a big issue for those who don't always camp on a perfectly-level pad? We do a bit of dry camping away from campgrounds, and sometimes we dig out a spot or raise one side of our pop-up with the little stack of boards we carry around.

Thank you for your input...
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Old 08-27-2011, 01:37 PM   #2
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In a word, "Horsefeathers!" Of course it's easier to open when level. But you would level any trailer first before doing anything with it.

With a TM, I level it side to side with leveler blocks before disconnecting from the TV. Once disconnected, I level it front to back with the tongue jack and THEN open the trailer and drop the stabilizer jacks.

If you had any trailer, you'd go through the same leveling process. No big deal.

Keith
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Old 08-27-2011, 01:38 PM   #3
ShrimpBurrito
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrgoodwx View Post
We do a bit of dry camping away from campgrounds, and sometimes we dig out a spot or raise one side of our pop-up with the little stack of boards we carry around.
We dry camp almost exclusively, and we're usually at National Forest or BLM areas out west, and sometimes they don't have "pads" of any kind. Using a shovel and boards like you describe to level the TM, we never had a problem opening it. As long as where we are parking is reasonably level, this technique has always been successful. I don't see how you'd notice any difference in this regard from what you are used to with your pop-up. Fear not.

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Old 08-27-2011, 01:40 PM   #4
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I vote that this is NOT true. You can open a Trail Manor if you "thought" you had it perfectly level but really did not. I know this to be true because we have done it...this was side to side level. We also had it "perfectly" level and the next morning as we got out of bed found it to be tippy front to back. LOL! That was a long time ago and many set ups ago.

Now having said that.........it can be harder to lift the front shell if you do not have it level to begin with.
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Old 08-27-2011, 03:20 PM   #5
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I think that salesman should have "leveled" with you and told you the truth. For many people, TrailManor Trailers are a great unit and they open very nice and do not need a perfectly level ground to open.

Our 2720SD is brand new and purchased in later May. We just got back from 10 nights of camping in the NY Adirondacks and every day when I was relaxing at the site I would look at the new TrailManor and say to myself "this is the PERFECT unit for us". It fits our needs very, very well.

The unit opens fine on reasonably level ground. When I owned my Coleman tent camper, I would never stress the lift system unless the camper was reasonably level. The same for the TrailManor.
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Old 08-27-2011, 05:05 PM   #6
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Thanks to all of you for your quick responses. You've all confirmed what seemed like common sense. We've somehow managed to get our rather large pop-up level enough for the last 16 years...so I would expect to do the same with a Trailmanor. By the way, Brittany Dogs...your new camper sounds great. We put the 2720SD at the top of our list as it's usually just my wife and I now that the kid is grown and we're retired. If we have company, they can use the dinette. We want our guests to be comfortable...but not TOO comfortable! Thank again...
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Old 08-27-2011, 05:28 PM   #7
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Don't forget the FRIG has to be level no matter what unit you buy. Go with the TM you will be very happy, fits right in the garage:):):)

Dave
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Old 08-27-2011, 06:13 PM   #8
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Had a total blowout on a very unlevel surface with one side lower by 6 inchs then the other and the front at least a foot higher then the back.

Opened it with moderate difficultiy to get at tire to put on spare.

Wouldn't intentionally do it bui did it with no damage or problems
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Old 08-28-2011, 12:33 AM   #9
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That sounds pretty amazing that you'd be able to open the trailer under those circumstances, Roger...thanks for relaying that.

Scottie Dogs...I wish we had a "normal garage." Our garage has two doors and each opening is only 92 inches wide. I think that leaves me with about 1 inch to work with, and with my track record...it would be ugly. I'm working on a space beside the driveway but will need to trim a tree a bit.
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Old 08-28-2011, 12:55 PM   #10
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Quote:
Don't forget the FRIG has to be level no matter what unit you buy.
While this is good advice, you don't need to get carried away with it. In the old days - say the 1950s - precise levelling was important. But more recently, the manufacturers have figured out that this is a pain. In particular, the Norcold manual, or the Norcold web site FAQ, says that the refrig should be level within 6 degrees of level front-to-back. Since the refrig is mounted sideways in the TM, front-to-back on the refrig is side-to-side on the TM. The tires on the TM are about 90 inches apart. If you run the math out, 6 degrees on the refrig corresponds to the tires being about 9 inches out of level. It is hard to be that far out of level!

On the Dometic web site (Dometic and Norcold build very similar products, and TM has used them both), it says "When the recreational vehicle is stationary it must be leveled to be comfortable to live in... So once more, before you start the refrigerator, make sure the recreational vehicle is leveled to be comfortable to live in." In other words, if the trailer is level enough that you don't lurch as you walk down the hallway, then that is plenty level for the refrigerator.

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