Loading and Unloading

 With electric jacks loading and unloading your camper can be done in a matter of minutes. However if you don’t observe a few simple rules, it can turn into a nightmare. Large campers can weigh upwards of 1500kg so care should be taken.

The legs on campers are very strong vertically - lifting straight up and down when the camper and the ground are level. However their lateral or sideways strength is limited so care has to be taken when the ground is not level.

If you don’t have level ground then it is best to have your vehicle facing uphill before unloading. Extremely sloped ground should be avoided.

Using footpads is recommended. I use treated pine sleepers cut into 1 foot lengths. Place one under each leg before commencing to raise the camper. Lower the legs till the first leg reaches the footpad. You will then be able to see the difference between the highest and lowest leg - the leg still furthest from the footpad.  I often put a second footpad below the lowest leg. Drop the remaining legs individually until they are all in contact with the footpads. Carefully raise each leg slowly till the camper is level - most important.

You should use a spirit level to check the level.  The spirit level should be placed on the floor inside the camper door as the inside floor is usually the most level part of the camper. 

You may often find that the camper will separate from the truck on the lowest side first. Keep the camper as level as possible, and continue to raise it until it has clearance  from the truck at all points. Make sure you have enough clearance to compensate for any uneven ground under the truck as you drive it out.

Always lift the front of the camper first so that it is approximately 4” or 10cm higher than the back. Try to keep the front higher throughout the lifting process, remembering that the front jacks carry  the most weight and often this causes the back to lift faster.

When unloading, be careful when the legs start taking the weight off the truck. If it is not level the truck will move a small amount as the weight is lifted.

Similarly when loading the camper, as the weight goes on to the truck the legs may kick out a bit as the load comes off them, especially on uneven ground. Keeping it level is so important.

Likewise when loading the camper on uneven ground, keep the camper level at all times. It is more important to have the camper as level as possible, even if it is not initially parallel with the truck tray.
  
Foot pads should only be used to stop the camper legs sinking into the ground and to build the lowest side up by around 4” to 6” - 100mm to 150mm.  We use treated pine sleepers cut into squares of about 30cm.

If you are loading or unloading and the jacks or the motors start making any unusual noises then you should check that the camper is level (slightly higher at the front). This can also happen if the legs are not straight or properly aligned.
 
Never over extend the jacks. They have marks to indicate their maximum extent.  If you exceed this they may die, and you have to pay for the funeral. Likewise never retract them fully, usually an inch from the end is good. Same funeral costs.
  
Jacks will often extend or retract at different rates. This would be due to the load on each jack, with the lighter loaded leg travelling at a faster rate. Just keep an eye on them and adjust so that they are even.

Never be afraid to phone and ask if you are not sure. It could save you big dollars and save you from ruining your trip.  It’s not as if you are asking for directions!