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02-16-2014, 12:01 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
Darlington
, South Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 55
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General question from a newbie about exterior "level"
Any suggestions for a good replacement for this exterior level? I am a proud new owner if a '78 Sovereign and am beginning restorations on a small scale for now.
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02-16-2014, 12:59 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Spokane
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,859
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You can get something very similar to this at almost any trailer supply store. The challenge will be installing it so that it accurately displays true horizontal.
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02-16-2014, 01:11 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Keep in mind that accurate leveling is not as critical as most would think. In most cases, if it feels level inside the trailer, it is close enough. I use these:
RV Levels, Set of 2 - RV Designer E401 - Levels - Camping World
They don't require mounting holes (or you may use screws if you desire) and can be removed without leaving scars with a bit of cleaning (if you don't use screws).
They have the advantage of the mounting tape being somewhat flexible, so you can make it read level even if it is not exact.
Don't be surprised if your question develops into a discussion (argument) about how level you should or must be. Personally, I think exact leveling is overrated.
Ken
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02-16-2014, 01:30 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Ken, I an laying in bed getting ready for a nap angled slightly downhill....
So I agree,
Sleeping uphill kind of sucks though.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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02-16-2014, 01:38 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1993 34' Excella
York
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrussjr
Any suggestions for a good replacement for this exterior level? I am a proud new owner if a '78 Sovereign and am beginning restorations on a small scale for now.
Attachment 205715
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The Master Level was standard issue on most Airstreams for many years, and are still easily available as already mentioned. I really like mine.
They need to be installed with the help of a carpenters level the first time, on a fairly level pad. They have adjustments for the left to right leveling as well as the front to back.
A new one will likely attach in the same holes as the original.
John
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.
Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson
Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
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02-16-2014, 01:45 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain
, California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
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The only real reason to level is for the refrigerator when in propane mode. The more level, the more efficient the cooling action. It's the cooling plate inside the freezer that needs to be level in both directions.
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02-16-2014, 02:08 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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I just use a carpenters level and wife talks to me through walky talkie - but something mounted could be cool
I forgot to check the level on our second trip and it did not bother me - until I made pancakes the next morning - then I felt like Lucy in long long trailer
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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02-16-2014, 02:28 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
Petaluma
, California
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,364
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I have 4 of the stick ons that Ken recommended. Two at the front left corner so I can see both side to side and front to back in the same place one near the door and one just above the license plate at the rear. They are small enough to be unobtrusive, large enough to read and graduated in inches so you can count the blocks you need for side to side leveling.
__________________
Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way.
- Brad
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02-16-2014, 03:01 PM
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#9
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begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
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Oh gosh, I park, step back, eue it up and decide which end my head will be on the bed, so far it works for me. Btw, mostly boondock and fridge ok.
__________________
2006 Bambi CCD ("EireStream!!")
2010 Funfinder
2005 T@B
2001 Teardrop, Mountain Hardware Tent
For some perfection takes a little longer...
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02-16-2014, 07:36 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2024 23' Flying Cloud
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 502
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The iPhone 5 with the latest update has a bubble level built into the compass app under "Utilities". Bring up the compass, calibrate it by rolling the little ball around, and then swipe the screen. Voila, bubble level. I put it inside the door to set the side to side level, and then put it on the trailer tongue and work the jack to level it in that dimension. Done.
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02-16-2014, 08:06 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannonball
The iPhone 5 with the latest update has a bubble level built into the compass app under "Utilities". Bring up the compass, calibrate it by rolling the little ball around, and then swipe the screen. Voila, bubble level. I put it inside the door to set the side to side level, and then put it on the trailer tongue and work the jack to level it in that dimension. Done.
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If I were using something that expensive to perform such a simple job, somewhere in that sequence of steps would be, " drop in the mud puddle in the dark".
Ken
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02-16-2014, 08:09 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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I placed the round level on my iPhone on the grill on the top OB the stove. Then leveled the trailer, then adjusted the external level. The is will be close enough for fridge and oil and eggs will not run to the side of the frying pan.
Works for me.
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02-16-2014, 08:25 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2024 23' Flying Cloud
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 502
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I failed to mention that I use my wife's iPhone for this task. Mine is in the cupholder in the truck.
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02-16-2014, 10:08 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrussjr
Any suggestions for a good replacement for this exterior level? I am a proud new owner if a '78 Sovereign and am beginning restorations on a small scale for now.
Attachment 205715
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That level has had the same problem, from the first day one was ever installed, many many years ago.
The sun heats up the glass, causing the fluid to leak out.
That then becomes the end of the level.
Reese at one time, had a two unit level that was installed on the A-frame, and was calibrated to the cooling plate in the reefer. But it's now NLA.
Actually, the real purpose of the level is not to level the trailer, but to level the reefer so that it would cool properly.
Andy
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