Mopardan

Arkansas

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Joined: 04/09/2008

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I picked up our new (to us) Cherokee 5th wheel about a month ago. As they were putting my hitch in the service manager says "I'm gonna give you something". He gave me a level master trailer level by Wheel Masters mounted on a home made bracket. He said to mount it on pin box using a square so you can see it in the rear view mirror when backing up. The thing is about 12" long. Are these any good? Does the RV need to be perfectly level when installing? Any damage to pin box? Any tips on installing this thing? Thanks
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Glen41

North Texas

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Joined: 01/25/2008

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It is a good thing to be able to see that your trailer is level side to side without going inside. It makes the unhitch just that much faster and easier. It is an immediate signal to my helper to add or subtract pads under the wheels. Front to back leveling is done after unhitching.
Yes, you need to have your trailer as level as possible when installing. No It will not structurally affect your pinbox. If you are worried that the screws might rust, then put some sealant on them when installing. Good idea anyhow from a vibration standpoint.
Fun is that stuff that happens in between mistakes.
2006 Chevy 3500 D/A DRW Prodigy, AirBags, CoPilot, EarPlugs
34 ft River Canyon with most of the pieces still attached
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lat471

Lebanon, PA

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Joined: 06/15/2007

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I wish I would have gotton one with my new 5er. I had one on most of my TT and loved them. I just didn't get around to mounting one on this unit yet but I will. I'm really tired of getting out of the vehicle to find how level or unlevel I am when backing in.
07 Cameo LXI F35FD3
R Taj-We-Haul
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rowaltonjr

Castle Hayne, NC

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Joined: 02/15/2001

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Glen41 is correct. It will help you as you park, will not hurt the pinbox but you have to install it on a level pinbox. I did mine in about 1/2 hour including putting the tools away. It's been on for over 10,000 miles & is still tight & accurate.
nogo
2004 2500 Sierra, 2006 Keystone-Cougar 291EFS 5th wheel
We don't do anything, but we do it real well
RV camped in 49 states, every province & territory of Canada & 2/3 0f Mexico
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shadoow

South Texas

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Joined: 09/25/2007

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i bought a set of levels at WalMart. They came packaged together & one was designed for side-to-side leveling & the other for front-to-back (or vice versa). I mounted them up front near where the control is for raising and lowering the jacks & this has worked out well. They are small so i can't see either one from inside the truck & have to get out to see if i need to level side-to-side, but that's not a big deal to me. Important thing is that you've got a method to level the trailer both ways.
KZ 33P Toyhauler
2008 GMC 2500HD D/A
2006 Ultraclassic
1978 FLH
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CD

Dallas

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Joined: 11/09/2005

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Sorry, I do not like the looks of a big level on the front of my unit. I have a couple of small ones that can still be seen easy.
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tvman44

Southwest Louisiana

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Joined: 09/25/2007

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I have one and I like it, I installed it when I got the new 5er home.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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cdrcos

St. Paul, MN

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Joined: 12/13/2001

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The consensus on these is that they are not very good. I have read many reviews of these by folks who are unhappy with the performance.
However, I finally bought one online and when it arrived it was dry - having opened in shipping and drained out the oil or whatever is inside it. I was reimbursed by the seller, but I called the company to see what the liquid inside was in hopes of refilling it. They were very nice and sent me a new one at no cost.
Alas, the new one did not work very well: slow to respond to changes in level, not very accurate and generally worthless. Glad it didn't cost me anything.
That said, you do need a side-to-side level that you can see from the tow vehicle so you can tell when backing into a site that your are reasonably level, or will only need minor leveling. There are many out there that can be mounted on the front of the RV or the pinbox in some cases.
Yes, you want to have the unit level when you put on the levels. I always level the unit to the stovetop (you don't want stuff that's cooking running over the sides of the pans). Park in level spot and when you have adjusted the unit side-to-side and front-to-back, using a level inside, then apply the levels.
One I have found very good for front-to-back on a fifth wheel is the memory level that remembers the position of the fifth wheel when you unhooked so you can go back to that point when you hook back up again.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=15718&src=SRQB
Joe & Barb
2002 F-350,PSD,Crew Cab
2003 HH II LS 32.5 UKTG
*finally retired! *
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Vulcaneer

Northern New England

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Joined: 10/17/2007

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Love the pinbox leveler. Trailer must be level before mounting. But finding a reference point to level the trailer (before mounting the pinbox leveler may be a challenge. The frame could be used for front to back leveling. But side to side, may be a problem, uless you can find a frame cross member. Don't use the side of the trailer body.
I prefer to use the stove top as a leveling reference point. For both front to back and side to side. That way when we cook several eggs at one time, they don't all run to one side of the fry pan. I hate when that happens.
Of course this assumes that the stove is reasonable close to being level with the frame of the trailer, or level with the refridgerator.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
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Roy T

Dodge City, Kansas

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Joined: 09/16/2007

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I've got a couple of small ones that I really don't like. It's a lot of in and out checking the level. I'm still thinking about getting the big one for the pin box.
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