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love4god
Central NJ
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Joined: 06/04/2002
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We're 4 days into our family vacation and we're on our way out to CO right now. So far it's been 4 days of driving and this is our 4th night. We unhitched everything the first night, but since then, the last three nights we've stayed hitched to the truck. Since we're arriving kind of late and leaving early we figured why do all the work of unhitching. We'll save that for when we get out there and we're spending more than an overnight at campgrounds.
My first question is, does that hurt your truck at all, the weight sitting on it all that time wtihout a rest. Three days of driving, three nights of being parked beneath the 11k lb Wildcat.
Also, when we stay hitched we put the landing gear down and then extened maybe an inch or two more than when it hits the ground, then we put teh rear stabilizers down adn give about two or three cranks once it hits the ground. We're hitched very level (after adjusting our hitch) and this seems to work out fine. But I suppose much of the weight would still be in the bed.
The truck is a 03 GMC 2500HD Duramx. The Fiver is a 32QBBS Fifth Wheel if that makes a difference in anyones answer.
I just want to make sure I'm not doing any damage, or, perhaps there is something else I should be doing that I'm unaware of. It's amazing how much we've learned just talking to other campers in the last three days.
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Trailer Trash 2
Santa Fe Springs, CA
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Joined: 06/01/2004
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I woulden't think so. I would think having the trailer level so you dont burn out the refrigerator would be the most inportant thing when at a campground.
TT2
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dbbls
Arkansas
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Joined: 09/29/2005
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It won't hurt the truck.
2011 F-350 CC Lariat 4X4 Dually Diesel
2012 Big Country 3450TS 5th Wheel
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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On my tug toy I sure would not crank the stabilizers that tight. I do about 1/2 turn after they hit the ground. They are stabilizers, not jacks, and most TT frames are not really set up to take stress that way.
We often do not unhook, but we can, and do, put down the tongue jack.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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DSteiner51
Wooster, Oh
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Joined: 01/30/2004
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Trucks were originally made for the working man, contractors etc. Load em up and use em. Some are loaded with tools, supplies, etc for years. Why would it be any different for a playing man? When I stop for a nite the only thing I do is turn off the key, remove it and lock the doors. In the morning I reverse the procedure and hit the road!
D. Steiner
The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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I would not unhook for an overnight unless the parking situtation was such that it was a traffic safety issue... And in that case unhooking might be more dangerous than not unhooking.
Now, leaving it hooked up for, oh, say six months, Might be an issue
As for the fridge... They do like level, yes, and though occasional off-level operation (if it's not too far off) might be ok, it's best if they are level
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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Frank in CO
Centennial, CO
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Joined: 10/25/2001
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The truck will be fine. I think my fridge said to level within 3 degrees or so. That's about 5 or 6 inches across the RV. If you are out of level that much, it would be uncomfortable to you.
Frank in CO
2000 KZ Sportsmen 2205QSS
2002 F350 4X4 Crew Cab
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love4god
Central NJ
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Joined: 06/04/2002
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I keep reading that on teh forums but I don't know if it's true for the newer fridges.
My fridge manual said that the cooling is done by liquid and when teh refrigerator is not level and the liquid pools in corners of the tubing it reduces the effectivess and cools poorly. It can even get so bad that it completely blocks the liquid and the refrigerator doesn't work. However, it said this would not damage the refrigerator.
A couple people have alluded to this being a problem on the older units not the newer ones. It seems like they don't work well until you level them again, but it wont do any permanent damage.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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Joined: 02/15/2006
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No harm to the truck. Think slide-in campers. Do disconnect your 7-pin trailer cable from the truck overnight, even if you are on shore power. It is possible in some circumstances to drain the truck's battery.
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4x4Bob
California.
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Joined: 05/17/2002
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I often stay hitched for a one night stop. I just run down the electric tongue jack until it touches the block and crank down the stabilizers on the side of the TT that has the slide out.
Bob
2001 2500 Silverado LS 4x4 6.0, 4.10
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
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End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.
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