Reflection unhitching questions

[Malco1]

If relatively level here is our sequence
1. Chock wheels
2. Lower front jacks about 6 holes
3. Ground front jacks
4. Unlock hitch
5. Raise trailer to take pressure off of hitch
6. Open/release hitch
7. Raise trailer slightly so about 1/8th to 1/4" above hitch plate
8. Pull truck out.
9. Plug in 50 amp
10. Push auto level

Don't forget to lower the tailgate.

[north channel novels]

When unhitching, we eyeball how level it is. It's best to be pretty close to level when you start out. We pull in, check for level, then place landing pads under where the legs will be. Turn on auto level control and scroll down to "drop landing gear", hit "enter" and the front gear then drops and takes a bit of the weight off the truck. When display shows "ready", I lower front legs to raise rig off truck. When the truck stops moving up, we unhitch and pull truck forward. Then hit "auto level". When auto level completes, we start moving in, husband does electrical/water connections, and I go in and put out slides.

Basically do it all in reverse for hitching up. Husband disconnects power/water (after dumping), and I close up slides and lock the door.

If the ground just isn't level, we use leveling boards to raise low side to even things up side to side before starting leveling process.

I am curious to know why a number of you plug in only after leveling, rather than before? We often do, but it isn't etched in stone, and I figure that if I've already disconnected power from the truck, hooking up to the 30 amp campground system will save a little wear and tear on the battery. Again, just askin'.

[GeoffnCheri]

Don't forget to lower the tailgate.

Yep, for us it lives between step 3 and 4

[jdux999]

Thanks all for the information.

"I am curious to know why a number of you plug in only after leveling, rather than before? We often do, but it isn't etched in stone, and I figure that if I've already disconnected power from the truck, hooking up to the 30 amp campground system will save a little wear and tear on the battery. Again, just askin'."

I was wondering that as well. Isn't it safer to use shore power rather than your battery. Doesn't that put a lot of strain on your batteries?

[Richter]

If relatively level here is our sequence
1. Chock wheels
2. Lower front jacks about 6 holes
3. Ground front jacks
4. Unlock hitch
5. Raise trailer to take pressure off of hitch
6. Open/release hitch
7. Raise trailer slightly so about 1/8th to 1/4" above hitch plate
8. Pull truck out.
9. Plug in 50 amp
10. Push auto level

In addition to lowering the tailgate, you’ll also want to disconnect the break-away and light cables. If you have an Andersen hitch with chains, they need to be unhooked as well.

I take one last look before I move the truck, ensuring that I see light everywhere between the truck and trailer. That way, nothing is still hooked up. I call it my “all-clear” check.

[livinthelife]

I am curious to know why a number of you plug in only after leveling, rather than before? We often do, but it isn't etched in stone, and I figure that if I've already disconnected power from the truck, hooking up to the 30 amp campground system will save a little wear and tear on the battery. Again, just askin'.

It's just when it fits into the routine. I help unhitch, my husband drives the truck away/parks it, and I hit the auto level button. Then he hooks up power & water, I unload the truck into the rig and put out slides.

[RVingwithJessandChris]

Just a quick note regarding how high to raise the rig off the truck when unhitching. It will separate much easier if you will raise the rig until you can see a gap between the plate on the hitch and the rig. That will eliminate any binding.
First thing I do when I get trailer where we want to setup is plug in the surge protector at the power pole. Ours does a system scan that takes a few minutes and will turn green once it completes it test. I begin the unhitching sequence next and by the time I'm ready for shore power it is green and ready to go.
Otherwise all good advice.

[livinthelife]

Just a quick note regarding how high to raise the rig off the truck when unhitching. It will separate much easier if you will raise the rig until you can see a gap between the plate on the hitch and the rig. That will eliminate any binding.
First thing I do when I get trailer where we want to setup is plug in the surge protector at the power pole. Ours does a system scan that takes a few minutes and will turn green once it completes it test. I begin the unhitching sequence next and by the time I'm ready for shore power it is green and ready to go.
Otherwise all good advice.

I drop the landing gear until the truck stops moving up.

[RVingwithJessandChris]

I drop the landing gear until the truck stops moving up.

With the B&W Companion that isn't high enough for the jaws to open. You need the gap and then when you swing the arm the rig will unload on its on so all you have to do is remove the trailer plug and pull away. Otherwise the arm will feel like it's disconnected and not open the jaws.

[livinthelife]

With the B&W Companion that isn't high enough for the jaws to open. You need the gap and then when you swing the arm the rig will unload on its on so all you have to do is remove the trailer plug and pull away. Otherwise the arm will feel like it's disconnected and not open the jaws.

Well, it works for us. We don't have B&W.