Landing Gear
Landing gear is the term used for the two front supports that hold the front of a trailer up when not hooked to a truck. Design and operation of landing gear has greatly changed for the better over the past 20 years.
Before the improvement and automation of landing gear, my dad used this manual method for leveling and stability. The trailer has four corner posts with turnbuckles to level, but he had to search for the rocks.
Camping in Klamath, CA. My dad’s 1964 Ford and 1958 Rainbow travel trailer.
Older fifth wheels used electric landing gear and manual scissor-jack stabilizers in the rear. Most newer fifth wheels have a 6-point leveling system, meaning 6 hydraulic jacks that self-level. They are operated from a control panel on the left-front side of the rig or through the electronic command center.
The panel is easy to understand and operate, and it can be used in an automatic or manual mode. The panel is very intuitive and the screen provides step-by-step instructions.
When you’re ready to unhitch, you press “Front” to lower the front gear and take the weight off the hitch, disconnect and drive your tow vehicle out from under the pin, and press “Auto Level”. The leveling system will do it’s thing and beep when it is level.
When your ready to hitch up, there’s a command that returns the rig to the position it was when you unhitched. You back your truck in and hitch up, then press “Retract” and in about 20 seconds your ready to go. It’s that easy.
One option I strongly recommend is a product called RV SnapPad. These are six heavy, stiff-rubber bases that snap in place under the landing pads. They have grooves in the top to shed water and a hole in the center to access the bolt that holds the landing pad on the strut.
The RV SnapPad does a couple of things. It provides a wider base than the metal pad for more stability. It cushions the pad against the ground surface whether smooth or uneven, and usually does not require any other block or pad on the ground. It’s one of the best things we added to our Redwood.
Slides
Slide-outs, or “pop-outs”, have become an essential part of larger RVs. The expanded space provided is part of the reason that the RVs have become more like a small condo or apartment and therefore more livable.
Your fifth wheel will have between one and five slides. The slides are operated through either hydraulic or electric systems, and controlled by toggle switches or through the electronic command center.
Clermont, FL
Wasatch View Estates, Ogden, UT
Natchez Trace Preserve, Hohenwald, TN
Hydraulic Slides. Most fifth wheels have two large, opposing slides in the rear that are operated hydraulically. These slides usually expand the living and kitchen areas and hold the heavier appliances. They operate using the same hydraulic fluid and system as the landing gear, with the hydraulics located in the forward storage compartment. There are usually valves that can shut off individual slides and a heavy circuit breaker that prevents overload on the hydraulic pump, as well as some means of manual override. A leak in the hydraulic system may affect the landing gear and the main slides.
Electric Slides. It is not unusual for rigs to have one, two or three forward slides that are operated through an electrical system completely separate from the hydraulic system. While it is a different mechanism that operates the slide(s), the function will only be noticed by the different sound when operating.
Our rig has a unique feature called a “slide-in-slide” for the bedroom. The larger forward slide is for the laundry and bedroom, and the smaller slide is the headboard. This feature gives us an extra 18” around the foot of the bed inside and makes the bedroom much larger. Both of these slides are electric.
Slide toppers. A lot of RVs have mini awnings, or toppers, over the top of the slides. These really help keep dirt, pine needles, leaves, and acorns off the top of the slides. Some report they flap in higher winds. I think the positives outweigh the negatives even though we don’t have them installed.
Regular maintenance. The slides don’t require a lot of maintenance. Periodic lubrication per the manufacturers recommendation will keep them operating smoothly and quietly.
If you’re parked in a heavily wooded area, make sure the slide tops are clean before you pull them in. I use a blower or broom to clean them by climbing on the roof or a using ladder.
A careful inspection of slide operation on the inside of the rig may prevent problems. Make sure that nothing is in the way of the slide travel and the floor is clean and free of any small rocks or pebbles. A hydraulic slide has an amazing amount of force and can crush anything that gets caught in its way. Rocks will scratch the floor and furniture can be damaged if caught in the slide.