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04-06-2015, 12:47 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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Leveling Tandem Tools
So, we have a tandem axel trailer and have had it now for 1.5 years or so...and now realize that there are situations where we need to raise up the low side of the trailer quite a bit to make things level...luckily over the weekend my AS neighbors had these little ramps:
Ramble RV Levelers, Set of 2 - Four Corners D10-171 - Chocks & Levelers - Camping World
So what I did was use the two ramps, pull up enough onto them, wife carefully inserted the 4 stacked high lynx leveler blocks in between the two tires on ground, then rode onto both stacks of level blocks for both tires...
Then I used ground chocks on the other size and pounded those in tight with a hammer...I did not have the x-chocks, or rotochocks, or whatever brand to use on the other side unfortunately, did not have a problem, but makes me worried to think much about it really.
Anyway, at first I thought for a moment:
"well Ill just level up using one of the tires/axels! I have 2 bags of these level blocks, should be able to do it."
...but my AS buddies said its a bad idea to leave it up like that over the weekend on a single axel...thus the route we took.
That got me to wondering...how many blocks high until I should do the same for both tires? Come to think of it, I suppose it should be for both tires all the time?
If it were a single axle, it would be easy enough, but getting both on the same level seems tricky when leveling in a relatively more extreme situation.
I feel the best option for me is to simply buy these leveling ramps and ride up on the blocks as I did last weekend, then get those tandem wheel chocks...
I searched the forums and found little on this subject surprisingly...which made me wonder if I flubbed the search parameters.
Anyway, wanted some input from the experienced folks on here before I spend more money on more leveling stuff.
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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04-06-2015, 01:26 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2015 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Waxahachie
, Texas
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 380
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I am not sure if this is answering your question or not, but we use the Anderson Levelers for both tires on the side needing leveled. Merely put them in front or back of each tire and pull/back up on them. Get about 4 inches of adjustment equally on each tire and the put the wedge that comes with them in. The chock tires and you are good to go. If need more that four inches raised, a piece of wood or the logos can be built up and then put the Andersons on it. It's quick and easy. I level quickly by myself all of the time.
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04-06-2015, 02:36 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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Somehow I worry those Anderson's would not hold up...how long have you used them?
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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04-06-2015, 02:38 PM
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#4
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
Somehow I worry those Anderson's would not hold up...how long have you used them?
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They hold up and they're great. These things are pretty solid. Best investment to date. No lego blocks for me. (Admittedly I haven't had mine that long, but I mean they're solid ABS plastic, going to last a long time)
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Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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04-06-2015, 02:39 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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I use the Andersens also with our 10,500lb 34, and have been using them for about a year with good results. They seem to be holding up just fine.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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04-06-2015, 02:46 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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The Anderson's seem to be the only all in one solution for the tandem axels
Do you all think once they are chocked they are solid?
I guess if boondocking on softer ground you can still use them with something else to sit on like my lynx level blocks
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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04-06-2015, 02:52 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2015 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Waxahachie
, Texas
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 380
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I have used them for about a year during which we traveled basically three to four months all together. Hold up very well. When you put the chock under Anderson when lifted, very solid. I still use tire chocks between tires too. On softer ground, use the linx blocks as base. Suggestion is to always pull your trailer connection from TV so your trailer brakes won't be engaging when backing, if backing on them so the tire rolls up on them freely.
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04-06-2015, 02:54 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
Upper St Clair
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,943
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Among other jobs I ran a plastics company, ABS was one product we worked with the Mississippi EPA or whatever they were where we had two plants told us "plastics have a half life of 125,000 years; my engineers said "probably right", so the Andersons should work out ok.
__________________
2020 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2021 F350 6.7 King Ranch
USAF Master Training Instructor (TI) & (MTI)- 68-72
Volunteer K9 Rehabilitator & Trainer
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04-06-2015, 03:07 PM
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#9
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retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
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I try to live by the KISS rule ( where I'm the last "S"). I use a couple of pressure treated 2 x 6's cut 2' long and a couple of shorter ones. I drive up onto them and they solve about 80% of my leveling needs. For the times I need more I made some blocks out of 3/4" plywood and 2x3's. The plywood cut 5" wide and about 2.5' long with the 2x3's vertical and plywood top & bottom. 2 of them interlock and form a platform 5" wide and 5' long approx. ( length is custom made) to drive up on when I need more height. These store easily in the pullout bumper compartment on my AS. I use the short 2x6's to form a ramp to pull up onto. So far I have not run into any situation needing more adjustment than I can make with these.
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
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04-06-2015, 03:59 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Another vote here for the Andersen's, Pharmgeek. Yes, you want to lift both tires on the low side and the Andersen's couldn't be simpler or more accurate with up to 4" of lift. There's a special chock that comes with them to slide under the other side of them and they are rock solid.
5 out of 5 stars from my perspective.
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04-06-2015, 04:02 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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I use either the Legos or wood, whichever I pull out of the truck bed first. Jim
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04-06-2015, 04:17 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
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I use 2x8 painted blue [easy to wash dirt off], short pcs. under stabilizer jacks and aluminum stand for power jack, longer to support both wheels, heavy rubber chocks that semi trailers use, you will not be able to pull over them, & they are not exp. I tow with pickup so no hassle stowing them. Bill
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04-06-2015, 05:34 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Here's a pic showing the other part of the chock. If I had needed to, I could have driven further forward to catch more of the curve and get up to 4" of lift - then those other parts on the left side sort of slide under and make a solid chock. Couldn't be easier!
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04-06-2015, 07:06 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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Would just need to find 90 bucks (2x 45 each) - ouch
We are broke for like the next year - after that funds free up significantly
I may for now find a way to fashion a couple of DIY wood ramps to get me onto my Lego blocks- ideas ?
Those Anderson's look like what I will want eventually!
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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04-06-2015, 07:12 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Hmmm - wonder if a pair of 4x4 hardwood blocks could be machined in similar fashion?
Just noodling....
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04-06-2015, 07:23 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2012 30' International
1997 25' Safari
1967 20' Globetrotter
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,499
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I use Lego blocks just because they don't care if I use them under the wheels, feet, or jack. You can make ramps out of them and will last my forever. They come in a nice carrying bag so you can store them away with clean stuff. And you can usually find some on sale for when you forget one or two somewhere. Jim
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Jim
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04-06-2015, 07:26 PM
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#17
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
Would just need to find 90 bucks (2x 45 each) - ouch
We are broke for like the next year - after that funds free up significantly
I may for now find a way to fashion a couple of DIY wood ramps to get me onto my Lego blocks- ideas ?
Those Anderson's look like what I will want eventually!
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Yardsale time dude
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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04-07-2015, 06:35 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Wood is cheap. Jim
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04-07-2015, 07:14 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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The Anderson's are around $40 per pair.
Truck/Trailer Accessories
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WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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04-07-2015, 07:29 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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for 40 bucks I believe you get only one leveler and one of the chocks....you kneed two for tandem axles so 80 bucks is the price tag.
Jim Flower - I have legos, but when you need to prop up 3-5 inches on the low side, the legos seem difficult (or impossible?) by themselves to effectively prop both wheels up? as such, one needs some form of ramps to get onto the legos...OR just use the Anderson type...or use a wood crafted wedge type of ramp....
Assuming I am thinking about all this correctly.
I have nothing I want to sale right now (which I am kinda proud of), so Ill figure out how to make due before figuring out what I want to do. I mean I could spend 80 bucks, but I am trying for the next 12 months or so to really stop any unnecessary spending (except for camping reservations )
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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