Hey fellow Alaskans,
Got a question for you... do any of you have bubble levels or liquid-filled compasses on either your truck or trailer? If so do you have any trouble in the winter with the liquid freezing/expanding/cracking the device?

I want to put a couple bubble levels on my fifth wheel but since I store it outside, I don't want to replace them each year! I can do the magnetic mount thing, but if I can find permanent mount ones I won't drive off and leave them someplace! I'd also like to put a compass in the tow vehicle so I will know which way the sun comes up in the mornings!

 

The levels are usually filled with an anti-freeze solution so they shouldn't freeze up as long as you don't get any water in them from somewhere else.
Dave

 

LOL, You are joking about this one here in the land of the midnight sun, right?

As far as the levels go, I just purchased cheap ones that I bring out everytime I setup my travel trailer. Use on on the tongue to level front and back. The other I use on the dining room floor to level side to side (found it better than the rear bumper for some reason). Must have anti-freeze in them because they did not break from freezing.

 

Sorry if we are picking on you 05F350CC but shouldnt it be a device to watch the sun circle around in the sky. Just kidding. Something to consider the declination diagram for Alaska can be pretty extreme, say 35-degrees from magnetic and true north. Something to consider, ie what is your source and type of reading (Grid-True-Magnetic) for the location of sun rise?

As for the level thing. I have bubble one and to be honest I went to a small 2-foot level. I place it on the A-frame and go up/down until it level then check cross level inside the trailer. Seems more accurate than those bubble levels but as TT mention each trailer is different.

 

Ok maybe I'll rephrase that...I need to know which way the sun is facing in the mornings! I like to sleep in a bit while I'm on vacation and waking up to the glaring sun makes for a grumpy morning!

As for the bubble level, I found a small torpedo level at a garage sale. It has a magnetic side to it so that's what I'll use. I'll just make sure I put it with the rest of my other hookup stuff after each use.

 

Sorry, I was making a joke about the sun. Seriously, a compass is great in the vehicle. How about a GPS unit? The old ones needed you to be moving to provide a heading, but the newer ones have electronic compasses in them which give you a direction even when still. The GPS is great on trips because it tracks miles travelled, average speed, max speed, time spent moving, time spent stopped, etc...

 

Do you do any hunting, 4-wheeling, hiking or snowmaching? If so go ahead and get your self a good lensetic compass for those trips and it can also be used for RV'ing. I been teaching map reading and using a compass extensivily for the past 20 years and have to really revert back to the Military Lensetic Compass. The new GPS are really nice too. I always bring both on trips. Sorry for the harrsement but we had to have some fun. Also consider some 2x10 blocks to park tires on (one side) if the ground is really out of wack.

 

Mike, good recommendation. 2x10's work good for leveling side to side. I have two boards I take with me. Cut one long enough to get both tires on and the other a little longer. That way you can stack them on each other for more lift and it's a gradual climb. I even cut the ends beveled so the tires drive up even easier. Have to option to raise the low side either 1.5" or 3". Anymore than that, find more of a level area.

 

Yummmm Ice Cream!!!!!