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12-06-2017, 09:53 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Motorhome Stability
I have been searching around the forums here for an answer to my question but have been coming up short and/or not finding what I am specifically looking for so here we go....
I have a 2009 Four Winds Hurricane 31D (GVWR = 18000 and GCWR = 26000).
There are no leveling or stabilizing jacks on the coach. I am currently using wheel levelers/blocks to drive up on when I find we are camped in a unlevel spot.
My question is related to stabilizing the coach to reduce movement of the coach while walking around inside. What is the best, reasonable priced i.e. cheapest, way to reduce this movement?
I looked at different basic jack stand options, but I get confused over weight restrictions, etc.
Thanks!
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12-06-2017, 10:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: outlaw 37ls
State: Europe
Posts: 230
THOR #6831
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jacks
stabilizing and raising the coach off the ground are 2 different issues.
if driving up on blocks to level is ok and you want to stop the rocking any cheap 1 ton or above jack will do, it will not have much load on it as it is only stopping the rocking,
if you want to use it to level the coach then a higher weight rated jack will be needed, take the weight of the coach and double it then divide by 4 and you have the min rating needed with safety factor,
now for leveling the more important issue is sway ( rocking) if the jack get very extended it become more unstable. so for safety you don't want to run a jack at full extension as it could fail or get stuck.
so which way do you want to go????
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12-06-2017, 11:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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We went from a very large DP, equipped with an auto-level jack system. The Gemini had none, didn't realize how much I would miss that. I recently bit the bullet and had and HWH hydraulic leveling system and stabilizing jacks installed. What a difference!!! I now know better to ever buy any RV that is not equipped with leveling/stabilizing jacks, or plan to add them.
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12-06-2017, 11:47 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: South Dakota
Posts: 1,132
THOR #3761
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There are aftermarket leveling jacks that are available but are not cheap. They range from automated leveling systems to manual systems where you need your own levels. Anything you do purchase will need to be attached to the frame to stabilize the RV, and even then you will still have SOME rocking going on.
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John
2016 Thor Hurricane 35C with pups Piper and Annabelle
2013 Ford Fiesta toad
FMCA - F457085
Blog - https://traversity.us
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12-07-2017, 12:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 1,032
THOR #1020
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The motion is coming from your RV sitting on the suspension - tires, axle and springs. To stabilize you must get the weight of your RV up and off the springs/suspension. Not in total but enough to reduce the travel on the springs. Most straight forward way is jpmihalk stated above.
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US Army Retired - Loving The Road Trip
Challenger 37TB
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12-07-2017, 01:24 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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Not all leveling jacks are stabilizers too. HWH accomplishes that, by increasing the hydraulic pressure at each jack head, once the MH is level.
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12-07-2017, 02:24 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laco
Not all leveling jacks are stabilizers too. HWH accomplishes that, by increasing the hydraulic pressure at each jack head, once the MH is level.
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I'd like to learn more about this difference you refer to. Can you post a link to the HWH leveling jacks that have this stabilizing feature?
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12-07-2017, 03:27 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captmetal
stabilizing and raising the coach off the ground are 2 different issues.
if driving up on blocks to level is ok and you want to stop the rocking any cheap 1 ton or above jack will do, it will not have much load on it as it is only stopping the rocking,
if you want to use it to level the coach then a higher weight rated jack will be needed, take the weight of the coach and double it then divide by 4 and you have the min rating needed with safety factor,
now for leveling the more important issue is sway ( rocking) if the jack get very extended it become more unstable. so for safety you don't want to run a jack at full extension as it could fail or get stuck.
so which way do you want to go????
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All I am looking to do is to reduce/stop the motion while walking inside... not level it as well. I do just fine leveling where we go with driving up on the wheel levelers/blocks.
Where is the best place to locate the 1-Ton jacks at? I assume somewhere along the frame on all four corners?
Thanks you
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12-07-2017, 03:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: South Dakota
Posts: 1,132
THOR #3761
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Yes, along the frame outside of the wheels would be best.
__________________
John
2016 Thor Hurricane 35C with pups Piper and Annabelle
2013 Ford Fiesta toad
FMCA - F457085
Blog - https://traversity.us
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12-07-2017, 04:02 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laco
We went from a very large DP, equipped with an auto-level jack system. The Gemini had none, didn't realize how much I would miss that. I recently bit the bullet and had and HWH hydraulic leveling system and stabilizing jacks installed. What a difference!!! I now know better to ever buy any RV that is not equipped with leveling/stabilizing jacks, or plan to add them.
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I looked into them, but I have no plans to get into that kind of expense for this coach. When we purchase our next one, we will definitely choose one with the auto leveling/stabilizing system!
Right now, just looking to reduce the motion while walking inside, nothing more.
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12-07-2017, 04:09 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28z
State: Florida
Posts: 401
THOR #5725
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I don't think this is exactly what he is looking for, but I didn't know if anyone had experience w/ this stabilizer bar. I am just looking to stop a little sway in back where we sleep and the kiddos move at night- the rest of it doesn't bother me....
Universal RV Stabilizer - Valterra 020106 - Stabilizing Jacks - Camping World
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12-07-2017, 05:13 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lazinskm
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I did see those myself while digging around for a solution. I haven't spoken with anyone down at Camping World yet about them, but it seems they would more of a fit for a much lighter/smaller type of camper. The biggest thing that was throwing me off when looking around was weight limits of the different jacks...
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12-07-2017, 05:16 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
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Thank you. The whole jack weight limit vs the RV weight was confusing me initially when I was looking at these, but it make sense as I am just stabilizing and not lifting.
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12-07-2017, 05:18 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpmihalk
Yes, along the frame outside of the wheels would be best.
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Thank you!
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12-07-2017, 05:33 PM
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#17
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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12-07-2017, 05:45 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
I'd like to learn more about this difference you refer to. Can you post a link to the HWH leveling jacks that have this stabilizing feature?
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Installing dealer pointed this out as an advantage over other brands, and HWH in a phone conversation confirmed. I did see something in writing, somewhere, of course can't find it just now. Will keep looking.
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12-07-2017, 05:48 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Hurricane 31D
State: Arizona
Posts: 26
THOR #7741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
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Har de har har... such a comedian!
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12-07-2017, 05:54 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erice1098
I looked into them, but I have no plans to get into that kind of expense for this coach. When we purchase our next one, we will definitely choose one with the auto leveling/stabilizing system!
Right now, just looking to reduce the motion while walking inside, nothing more.
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They do not give them away, and you are correct the expense is considerable. We essentially bought a floor plan and chassis, that was pretty vanilla, and feature free, which kept the purchase cost, in relative terms low. I bought with the intent of having accessories and equipment added after we used it a bit, and knew what I wanted added. Between the 11K in adds I forced the dealer to do when we bought, and the 10K I did, its a very different coach than the one we bought. I have had a good time customizing this one the way we want it for our use, and would probably buy the same way again, if we ever buy another RV, though we are getting older, and both my wife and I are pretty sure this will be the last one, but who knows!!!!!!!!!
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