RV Basics : Leveling a fifth wheel : electronic leveling and JT StrongARMS

Open Range RV has a great video on leveling and stabilizing their RV's. I tried to capture in text what the video said. Plus I found the video online AND I found the JT Strong ARM instructions as well. I think it is easier to read than to watch the video - but both are here for you in this post. Enjoy.

1: Front legs - pull snap pin on FRONT jacks and allow jacks to hit the ground.
[ sub step - I think you need to extend the jacks considerably if you will need to lower the front end. Also, I think you need to make sure the electric jacks are extended a little anyway so you can raise or lower them. You'll need to do this BEFORE locking the jacks extender out.]
2-3: Extend the jacks electrically (making sure that you hear the jacks snap pin engage with both of the front jacks.
4: Release the fifth wheel hitch and raise the front jacks enough so that you can drive the tow vehicle forward. Make sure everything is disconnected!
5: Raise OR Lower your front jacks to create front to back level coach. Typically on level ground, this would be lowering the front jacks.
6: Drop rear jack legs, by pulling the snap pin on each jack.
7: Snug each jack individually by using the electronic controls and extending each jack.
8: select the side of the coach that is lower (driver or passenger). Set the electronic selector to the lower side. Extend the jacks on the lower side.
9-11: SNUG JT Strong ARMS : lower FRONT jacks 3/4 inch. Tighten REAR strong ARMS. Raise FRONT JACKS to original position.
12: Tighten up the 4 front JT Strong ARMS. Extend the FRONT JACKS now. No more than 3/4 inch or so - just enough to remove the play in the JT strong arms. Turn off the control panel!!!

BREAKING CAMP!

1: Loosen ALL JT StrongARM stabilizers
2: Retract the REAR jacks. When they are loose, then pull the pins and lift the jack extender completely into the jack. Retract the jacks completely using the electronic controls.
3: Raise the front jacks and connect the tow vehicle. When engaged, lower the jacks to put the weight onto the fifth wheel hitch in the tow vehicle.
4: Once the fifth wheel hitch is fully engaged, go ahead and retract the jacks electronically. When they are free, pull the pin and lift the extension completely inside the jack. Retract the jack completely electronically. Turn off the controls when complete.

MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE REST OF YOUR CHECKLISTS!!!

• Breaking camp checklist.
• Leaving the RV checklist
• Returning to the RV checklist

Here are the instructions for JT Strong Arms stabilizers. They add a couple of steps to your normal leveling procedure...

Here is the video from Open Range RV on how to use the leveling jacks!

Checklist for Pulling OUT the RV and moving ON

Here is a checklist for preparing the RV to be moved from its current spot. I'm sure that it is incomplete, so expect that this list will be updated from time to time.

• Drain the black tank(s). Hopefully you have a full gray tank - You would pull the black tank first, then pull the gray tank to wash it away. I've put some of my articles on RV black tanks here for fun.
• RV Plumbing basics
• RV Black Tank Notes
• RV Black Tank Strategies
• RV Black Tank Enzyme Listing
• RV Black Tank Flies!
• If you have it, run the black tank rinse system.
• Turn off the water. Run water to release all the pressure.
• Close up the gray AND blank tanks.
• Bring in the awning if it is out.
• Drain the Fresh water if required.
• Check the clearances for all of the slide-outs (internally) so they don't run up against something.
• Strap in all the TV's for Travel.
• Fill the fridge with cold stuff (better thermal mass) if possible.
• Identify anything on top of cabinets or display cases that can fall. Move to a place where it cannot fall anymore.
• Toaster ovens
• Picture frames
• etc.
• Shut down any computers properly.
• Secure all blinds
• Retract TV antenna's
• Remove/stow cable TV wiring if it exists.
• Pull in slides - have someone watch while they get pulled in.
• Turn off the LP gas so that any accident is less exciting. (The fridge can run on DC battery)
• Disconnect the water hose.
• Disconnect the black & gray water hose (stinky slinky)
• Disconnect the electric power (I would shut off the breaker first)
• Follow your RV manufacturer's instruction on connecting your RV to the tow vehicle (or your toad to your RV)
• Release leveling/stabilization mechanisms and retract for traveling
• Removing any wheel chocks after fully connected.
• Engaging any safety mechanisms.
• Any items on the ground - pick up and put inside storage areas.

Send me suggestions on important items to remember to undo!

Checklist for Equipping your RV for Living

[ We'll update this list from time to time. ]

These are things that you'll want to have in your recreational vehicle (RV) but won't carry back and forth. Think of this as equipping your second home. Some of these are household items, and some will be technical manly items.

* IMPORTANT : Always identify your nearest Tornado Shelter [Added 4/30/2010 due to lots of wind!]
* Corkscrew / Can Opener / Bottle Opener
* Electrical Heater - like a space heater - we LOVE having this with us.
* Frying pan / Saucepan
* Towels / Washclothes
* Broom / Dustpan / Small sweeper / Cleaning fluids
* Flashlight
* Tools [ added March 20 2010 ]
   - Screwdriver - multi-purpose
   - Pliers - also might recommend a channel lock.
   - Things to level the RV (we carry boards)
   - Jack pads ( we carry small boards )

Please feel free to send suggestions.

RV Tax Information : Checklist of items for your Accountant and the IRS

As we near the end of the 2009 tax season (April 2010), and you are heading to your accountant with your "life in a shoebox" or pile of receipts, here is a list of questions or a checklist of topics you can cover with your accountant to make sure that you are getting full credit for the allowances that are provided to RV owners. This list isn't intended to ANSWER the questions, but it is intended to make sure you discover the answers with someone who is highly trained in tax law.

Remember, as you read this, that the IRS defines a home as something that has a bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen and an RV qualifies.

• Is my RV eligible for any first time homeowners credit?
• Is my RV eligible for any repeat home buyers credit?
• Is my interest on my RV note deductable (either primary or secondary residence)?
• UPDATE 2011 Feb : I did deduct RV loan interest on my taxes. Wasn't much, but I did beat the standard deduction for a number of reasons.
• Is my sales tax deductible?
• UPDATE 2011 Feb : In the state of Texas we get special sales tax treatment on our taxes so you can deduct your sales tax off of your federal taxes. I can't speak for other states. You have to meet your standard deduction.
• Is my sales tax deductible (or have a credit) under any special rules (like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009).
• Are my AAA or Good Sam dues deductible?
• Are my solar panels or other environment friendly improvements deductible or have credits.
• UPDATE 2011 Feb : The tax forms clearly provide credits for GREEN additions. I think you can make a pretty reasonable argument to deduct solar panels from your taxes even if used in an RV.
• If I'm in a state where I pay property tax on my RV can I deduct it?
• I certainly would give it a try.
• In Texas you don't pay property tax on cars, trucks, RV's and such. I'm glad for it.

Wherever I say deductible you can exchange the word credit. Credits are better than deductions as they come right off the taxes, but you should always check with both. Make sure you ask the question to your accountant or tax preparer in multiple ways so that you can discover savings that might be masked by not using the correct language. Many times professionals are not very good at 'bridging the lingo gap'.

Good luck and make sure you ask all the questions! Let me know if you discover anything that was not on this list.

Checklist for Leaving RV at the Park and Going Home

Sometimes you will leave your RV ( recreational vehicle ) setup like we are doing so you have it as a vacation home. When you leave it, you have to do a certain amount of preparation. I think this list would need to be augmented for leaving for period of more than 2 weeks. Certainly, it would need to be augmented when towing the vehicle out. Here is another checklist for returning to your RV from your home.

I put together this checklist, which we discovered by making mistakes!

* Disconnect and Drain your clean water (especially if cold) from the system.

* Disconnect your cable TV (low priority).
* Unplug all appliances plugged into normal outlets if possible.

* Drain your black water tank if you are using it (we do).

* Follow with draining your grey water tank.

* Remove your sewer drain hose and stow.

* Turn OFF your hot water heater.

* Turn OFF your heating/air conditioning.

* Close all your windows.

* Close any roof-side vents (like in the restroom).

* Crank down your TV antenna (if you are using it).

* We LEAVE our slide out. I think this is personal conviction.

* Slide in your awning in case it is windy or will rain. Actually, bring it in no matter what.

* Put away loose furniture that is outside.

* Turn OFF and also check your Propane tanks.

* Probably a good idea to pull all of your blinds.

* LEAVE your electric plugged in for your fridge.

* Quick inventory - make list of what you need for the RV when you return.
* Dirty Laundry - Clothes / Sheets / Towels
* Leave a sign or card in the window by the door or nearby with your cell phone number [ Thanks to Thom Hock for the suggestion ]

* Lock your doors, storage areas.

Now, you can be sad that you are leaving your imaginary world where you do what you want to do whenever you want to do it AND that you are returning to the real world - that is - well - not that way!