Leveling for Car Camping

[TeCKis300]

Polling for good ideas on where everyone measures their car for level when car camping or using an RTT.

Currently, I use a phone app and stick it against my Slee Slidersteps for front to back level, and tailgate for side to side level. Wondering if anyone else has a good approach as my strategy is more fussy than I like.

Ideally I can put a leveling bubble somewhere easy to see and not have to rely on my phone. Or just bite the bullet and get a small torpedo level on the sleeping surface itself?

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I always used a torpedo level on the sleeping surface.

 

[Tex68w]

Phone level app works for us.

 

[beveldrive]

RV level:
Amazon product ASIN B000EDSSDO

 

[Sandroad]

@TeCKis300 How do you level the truck? Drive up on leveling pads? As I assume with your AS, I have stick-on levels all sides of my camper and as I drive up on leveling pads (Andersen), my wife watches for the E-W level. Definitely easier for me to have levels attached.

 

[daneo]

Garmin Overlander has level readouts. Put it in a rigid mount, calibrate it on flat ground, then it will be ready whenever you need. It sits right in view while maneuvering.

 

[Artie]

RV level:
Amazon product ASIN B000EDSSDO
View attachment 3221337

IMHO, this is the best cheap KISS method for this task. I use this for my camper, place it on the tongue and make my adjustments. If I need leveling blocks you can eyeball that much lean, in the car you can drive until you find level without even getting out if you use as pictured.

 

[CharlieS]

I eyeball it. Close enough for 20 some odd days last summer.

 

[TeCKis300]

RV level:
Amazon product ASIN B000EDSSDO
View attachment 3221337

That's the inspiration I'm looking for. I have one on the tongue of my travel trailer. But need a good spot to locate one on the LX. I have a non-coolbox console so I'll need to find another spot if anyone has ideas? When using the RTT, it's not deployed yet when leveling so I can't exactly level the sleeping surface.

@TeCKis300 How do you level the truck? Drive up on leveling pads? As I assume with your AS, I have stick-on levels all sides of my camper and as I drive up on leveling pads (Andersen), my wife watches for the E-W level. Definitely easier for me to have levels attached.

As for actually leveling the truck, I use independent airbags installed at the rear. As long as I park somewhat nose high, I can usually find level by inflating one or both airbags at the rear axle. Described more here

 

[GordJ]

Now I know that this would offend your techy aesthetic (lol) but would not it work?
Amazon product ASIN B09LQD5R1X

 

[TeCKis300]

Borrowing the inspiration in this thread, I added a couple mini magnetic bubble levels. Added them at the tailgate to streamline workflow as that's where I access the airbag valves. Dab of glue and they're not going anywhere.

Amazon product ASIN B09LC5GW6G

 

[Tex68w]

Now I know that this would offend your techy aesthetic (lol) but would not it work?
Amazon product ASIN B09LQD5R1X

I borrowed this idea.

 

[RET2]

I borrowed this idea.

Ironic how sometimes a great solution is right before one's eyes. I use a similar apparatus.

 

[Fisher23]

Borrowing the inspiration in this thread, I added a couple mini magnetic bubble levels. Added them at the tailgate to streamline workflow as that's where I access the airbag valves. Dab of glue and they're not going anywhere.

View attachment 3236677

View attachment 3236678

Amazon product ASIN B09LC5GW6G

Which air bags do you have?

Why do you need to level did you get a roof top tent?

 

[TeCKis300]

Which air bags do you have?

Why do you need to level did you get a roof top tent?

I have the Firestone 4164s which should fit both LC and LX. It's the largest/tallest bags Firestone makes.

Yes, to level for RTT and car camping. BLM camping out in the southwest is a mixed bag where ground tents don't work either because nothing flat or nothing to stake down to.

 

[Fisher23]

Cool !

I was looking at one of those as some places they say "tent only" and the RTT is classified as a "tent".

What trail is that, I don't recognize it.

 

[TeCKis300]

Cool !

I was looking at one of those as some places they say "tent only" and the RTT is classified as a "tent".

What trail is that, I don't recognize it.

Valley of the Moon down in east San Diego. Coolest spot. But, you might notice the windmill in back. We were lulled into thinking we lucked out and the day was as calm as could be. Midnight hit and all heck broke loose with 30-50 MPH gusts.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

There are a couple of threads on the Firestone 4164's and I'm posting here because I think I want to do pretty much what the OP is doing.
I *think* I finally found a good nearby reputable shop to install airbags: No Limit BMORE - https://www.nolimitbmore.com/

Truck is 100% stock 200 LC and to remain so; no spring or shock changes for now.
For now, what I want is the factory ride with the bags at the min inflation of 5psi when unloaded..
However, I simply want to level the truck and lessen some of the bouncy effects when we're loaded to the gills when driving to a camping trip.

To accomplish this:
1) How many rungs should be cut off the rubber bounce stops?
2) Are the airlines at the top or the bottom?
3) Re #2: does it matter top or bottom placement?

Thanks in advance for any hints.