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07-17-2020, 04:51 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
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Really it’s no different then using jack stands while working underneath a car. Am I saying I would do it? No I would still put some blocks under the tires for just case. I don’t have that problem since I don’t have levelers but I have gotten pretty creative using blocks that maybe looked sketchy but in reality was pretty solid.
__________________
2017 Freedom Elite 30fe 2013 Wrangler Unlimited toad.
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07-17-2020, 05:40 PM
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#22
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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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07-17-2020, 06:04 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
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Haha pretty much!
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07-17-2020, 06:12 PM
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#24
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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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Backyard engineering is a wonderful thing: if it doesn't kill you; it makes you look smarter!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-17-2020, 06:24 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Backyard engineering is a wonderful thing: if it doesn't kill you; it makes you look smarter!
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So true! And if you look confident in what your are doing even if you think it’s sketchy that helps sell it.
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07-17-2020, 06:33 PM
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#26
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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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07-17-2020, 07:51 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 27K
State: California
Posts: 623
THOR #2544
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Are you making fun of the way I park my RV again Bob?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
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__________________
This post is opinion based on experience.
2015 Hurricane 27K
2013 Sea Ray 220SD
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07-17-2020, 08:02 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elite Washington
Really it’s no different then using jack stands while working underneath a car. Am I saying I would do it? No I would still put some blocks under the tires for just case. I don’t have that problem since I don’t have levelers but I have gotten pretty creative using blocks that maybe looked sketchy but in reality was pretty solid.
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Quite a bit different....
If I am getting UNDER the RV, there are clearly blocks under the wheels so I hydraulic failure doesn’t land it on top of me...
But if I’m not under the rig, I am within the parameters of MY owners manual which only states don’t lift all wheels off the ground and within my personal ‘ok with that’..
Of course do what makes you feel safe.
In the hundred or so times this has come up in last 5 years or so, never has been a consensus.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
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07-17-2020, 08:31 PM
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#29
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,121
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmc
Quite a bit different....
If I am getting UNDER the RV, there are clearly blocks under the wheels so I hydraulic failure doesn’t land it on top of me...
But if I’m not under the rig, I am within the parameters of MY owners manual which only states don’t lift all wheels off the ground and within my personal ‘ok with that’..
Of course do what makes you feel safe.
In the hundred or so times this has come up in last 5 years or so, never has been a consensus.
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Ain't that the truth; on this or any other forum. Could be because different people have different tolerances for risk. Ain't nothing wrong with that, you do what you think is within your tolerance and I'll do what is within my tolerance.
Is this a great country or what?
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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07-17-2020, 08:42 PM
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#30
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by brucev
Are you making fun of the way I park my RV again Bob?
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Nothing could be further from the truth...
I was admiring your ingenuity!
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07-18-2020, 03:08 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmc
Quite a bit different....
If I am getting UNDER the RV, there are clearly blocks under the wheels so I hydraulic failure doesn’t land it on top of me...
But if I’m not under the rig, I am within the parameters of MY owners manual which only states don’t lift all wheels off the ground and within my personal ‘ok with that’..
Of course do what makes you feel safe.
In the hundred or so times this has come up in last 5 years or so, never has been a consensus.
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Oh yeah that totally makes sense. If the manual doesn’t say don’t do it that way there should be no reason for concern. I have little kids they tend to get their hands on lots of things they shouldn’t. I always carry the spare keys with me because somehow they always seem to be able to lock us out. It’s like magic! So my luck would be someone would hit the switches and we would look like a low rider from a snoop dog video.
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07-18-2020, 04:05 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
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Right or wrong IDK!
I'll say I've seen snowbirds parked all winter in class C's & class A gassers just like your picture with no issues I'm aware of.
But I will agree anything is possible at any time.
I had our last 5th wheel supported by the 6 levelers living in it for 4 days with no wheels/tires while waiting on brake parts, no problems. Each of the landing gear jacks were rated to handle about 1 1/2 times the total rv weight & each of the other 4 rated at the rv weight.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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07-19-2020, 03:43 AM
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#33
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Minnesota
Posts: 80
THOR #7948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmc
My manual says not to raise *ALL* wheels off the ground... no such warning about one or a pair.
Also stickers clearly say not to operate slides if not level.
Do I try to avoid having wheels off ground? Sure...
But do I sweat it if I need to? Nope... not at all.
My last sticks/bricks, my last RV would run fridge fine in driveway... current rig needed wheels lifted to do same. No way I would try to drive up on blocks that high. Much safer to use jacks in my opinion. They support most of the rig weight as soon as they start lifting.
One of those ‘religious’ arguments you won’t get consensus on.
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Well said gmc. We have a driveway that requires the left set of rear duel tires to be off the ground about two inches to be level enough to run the refrigerator and put out the slide. To be perfectly level all four rear tires are in the air. Front to back the coach is stable with all back tires off the ground, but it is not stable side to side. If we’re home for a long time, I use the ramps and boxes under the jacks you see in the picture to level the coach. I originally had higher ramps but reduced the height because driving up onto the original ramps was just too scary. I’ve gotten used to these ramps. When camping I always have as many tires on the ground as I can, but if I have to, I will have one or two tires off the ground as long as a least one set of rear tires is on the ground.
I realize not every one is comfortable with tires off the ground but this works for me.
__________________
You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do?
You should go do them.
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07-19-2020, 09:54 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Missouri
Posts: 2,324
THOR #6903
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Some of us have seen hydraulic lines break, others haven't
Many hydraulic leveling systems leak down over time, a few not as much
I like my entry as low to the ground as possible and Jack's extended as little as possible
There is a consensus that any wheel hanging in the air is definitely not aesthetically appealing
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07-19-2020, 12:47 PM
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#35
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguire
There is a consensus that any wheel hanging in the air is definitely not aesthetically appealing
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Yup... But this really isn't a question of aesthetics: it's about safety and functionality.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-19-2020, 01:38 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
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When our levelers took the front tires off the ground I would use these Andersen leveling blocks. They are easy to wedge tightly under a tire, then lock in place with the other wedge. It helped me feel like I knew what I was doing at the very least!
https://www.amazon.com/Andersen-Hitc.../dp/B001GC2LVM
__________________
Pat & Becky & now Katie
Wenatchee, WA
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07-19-2020, 02:09 PM
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#37
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,121
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 99dart
When our levelers took the front tires off the ground I would use these Andersen leveling blocks. They are easy to wedge tightly under a tire, then lock in place with the other wedge. It helped me feel like I knew what I was doing at the very least!
https://www.amazon.com/Andersen-Hitc.../dp/B001GC2LVM
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My BIL has those for his TRAILER.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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07-19-2020, 02:16 PM
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#38
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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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If your Levelers are lifting tires off the ground: you can sometimes manually lower both ends, and get them back to Terra Firms...
IF they're lifting a bit more than is minimally necessary...
__________________
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07-22-2020, 06:56 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Brand: Cruiser
Model: Georgetown 30x3
State: Idaho
Posts: 223
THOR #17441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
The real issue in my opinion is that these light-duty jacks are not strong enough to handle lateral forces at ground when parked on incline, particularly since they would be near full extension. When designed for it, much larger vehicles like mobile cranes and power-company trucks are jacked off the ground safely.
Even if all wheels were jacked off ground, why would pads slide? There is plenty of friction between steel and concrete or pavement to keep motorhome from “sliding” down the driveway. The coefficient of friction may be a little lower than a rubber tire, but we’re only talking about a slope of few percent.
There is nothing inherently wrong with jacking wheels off ground if jacks are designed for it, but in this case they are not. Owner is taking a risk that a jack may bend, collapse, or damage attachment point at frame.
In my opinion it pays to not commingle issues. Just because jacks are not designed for it in this case, it doesn’t mean the act of jacking tires off the ground in itself is inherently unsafe because of some other imagined issue.
If instructions say not to jack off ground, best not to do it; regardless of whether we know the correct reason or not.
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I don’t know what makes you think the jacks are light duty. I suspect they are 6,000 pounds each and the front axel is also 6,000 pounds. That is the case on my RV...except rear axel is 12,000 pounds.
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07-22-2020, 07:04 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.3
State: Texas
Posts: 147
THOR #10883
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Off the ground?
I have had to have front wheels or at least one off the ground several times in Texas State Parks. Their sites are often big enough but not too level. No big deal at all.
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