Supporting tires off the ground.

[Nevermind Me]

I am a MH newbie and the newest owner of a beautiful 08 MountainAire. I read through the thread about the wisdom of leaving tires off the ground after leveling. As with most things, it appears there are nearly the same amount of folks on either side of the question. What I did not read is the best process for putting support under tires- other than driving up onto something. I also read that when you dump the air the coach can move 5-6" and thus possibly off what you intended to be under the tires? I am curious if you can use the manual leveling process to raise the coach, insert leveling pads and then re-level after the tires are supported. I am hoping someone has another
quick and easy solution-I already know the "move to a more level spot" suggestion.

[MikeO58]

On our last coach I either just kicked the blocks under the tire after leveling or if really out I would lower it and drive up on my blocks. Kind of a pain but never liked having the wheels hanging

[GaryKD]

Hi leesimonson,
What you posted is about the only way. For me, I'd just let the front tires hang. Rear tires need to be supported. This is where the parking brake is routed to. Technically the coach will not move once on jacks. But, why take the chance. And yes, the coach will not come down in the same place it was when you raised it.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by MikeO58

On our last coach I either just kicked the blocks under the tire after leveling or if really out I would lower it and drive up on my blocks. Kind of a pain but never liked having the wheels hanging

We don't leaving the whee's hanging either. I know the jacks should handle the weight, but I'd rather the wheels carry some of it.

We pull in where we plan to park and check it with a 2' level. We know from experience how far off front to rear it can be before we'll need something under the tires. We're also pretty good about knowing how much based on the level. if needed, I just move a foot or so and put some leveling blocks down and drive up on them. Then level from there. It's quick and easy since we're not really trying to level it with the blocks.

[Jthigh]

Sometimes we let the air out of our bags before we pull onto my leveling blocks if I’m concern about tire position. Most of the time I just pull up on the pads then release air and recenter after coach lowers if needed before setting park brake. I could never lift my front tires off the ground because of the stupid 3 point lift on my coach. I always have to support some weight on my tires.

[vsheetz]

The tires won't move off the blocks when you dump air... If you have the parking brake set....

[ByeTheWay]

How do they change a flat tire with the tires supported?

[777 Driver]

I’m in the “don’t leave wheels hanging” group. There’s one place we’ve stayed several times that’s unlevel enough that my front wheels would be “hanging”. I built ramps out of 2X12’s so that the front tires are supported.

Although my hydraulic leveling system is adequate to support the front, even if the front wheels are off the ground and the coach isn’t going to move when the brakes are parked and the rear tires are in contact with the ground, there could be other forces worthy of consideration.

Without going into all the math, a wind of 20mph exerts a pressure of 1.08 pounds per square foot (30 mph = 2.43 psf). Your Mountain Aire is almost 45’ long and 12’8” high. That’s almost 500 square feet of surface area on a side. A direct side wind of 20mph will exert a little more than 500 pounds of force on the side of your Mountain Aire (30 mph wind = more than 1,200 pounds of force). That’s more force than I care to have exerted only on the jacks.

OK, the wind speed to pounds per square foot conversion is accurate. There are, however, many variables in exactly how much of that force is translated to your jacks (the structural engineers are free to do those computations). There will be some side load on your jack struts. How much is too much? I don’t know. To quote Sergeant Harry Callahan, “Are you feeling lucky?”

Take care,
Stu

[BobKatMsu]

I am in the don't have tires off the ground group. Read your manual. I would assume HWH knows more about their product than we do.

[rlott2k]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

I’m in the “don’t leave wheels hanging” group. There’s one place we’ve stayed several times that’s unlevel enough that my front wheels would be “hanging”. I built ramps out of 2X12’s so that the front tires are supported.

Although my hydraulic leveling system is adequate to support the front, even if the front wheels are off the ground and the coach isn’t going to move when the brakes are parked and the rear tires are in contact with the ground, there could be other forces worthy of consideration.

Without going into all the math, a wind of 20mph exerts a pressure of 1.08 pounds per square foot (30 mph = 2.43 psf). Your Mountain Aire is almost 45’ long and 12’8” high. That’s almost 500 square feet of surface area on a side. A direct side wind of 20mph will exert a little more than 500 pounds of force on the side of your Mountain Aire (30 mph wind = more than 1,200 pounds of force). That’s more force than I care to have exerted only on the jacks.

OK, the wind speed to pounds per square foot conversion is accurate. There are, however, many variables in exactly how much of that force is translated to your jacks (the structural engineers are free to do those computations). There will be some side load on your jack struts. How much is too much? I don’t know. To quote Sergeant Harry Callahan, “Are you feeling lucky?”

Take care,
Stu

Without checking the math, I agree. Carry a couple 2*12 ramps, 2 or 3 boards tall. I don't like to leave my suspension hanging.

[TRebel]

I don't lift my wheels off the ground.

If the rear wheels are off the ground, your parking break is not holding your MH.

If your front wheels are off the ground, you probably have a pretty good climb to get up in your MH.

["007"]

Originally Posted by leesimonson

I am a MH newbie and the newest owner of a beautiful 08 MountainAire. I read through the thread about the wisdom of leaving tires off the ground after leveling. As with most things, it appears there are nearly the same amount of folks on either side of the question. What I did not read is the best process for putting support under tires- other than driving up onto something. I also read that when you dump the air the coach can move 5-6" and thus possibly off what you intended to be under the tires? I am curious if you can use the manual leveling process to raise the coach, insert leveling pads and then re-level after the tires are supported. I am hoping someone has another
quick and easy solution-I already know the "move to a more level spot" suggestion.

Welcome to irv2 and the Newmar forum.
Here is a link to help you get around irv2.
A Link for your coach for all your TSB's, recalls, brochure, owners guide and other info needed for your coach.
There is also a link sticky top of forum with info for you also.
All the links below in my signature have info for your Newmar.
You do not lift your tires off the ground surface to place on blocks than level, your bags will drop coach and than you level to support the chassis frame and stabilize the coach, you may put wood pads under the jack pads if on soft ground for more support.
This link will describe manual leveling in the highlighted area.
Welcome also to the Newmar family and have safe travels.

[joes2901]

My RV sits with the front wheels off the ground for 6-7 months at a time. The sloping driveway makes it necessary; it helps slow front spring sag.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by TRebel

I don't lift my wheels off the ground.



If the rear wheels are off the ground, your parking break is not holding your MH.



If your front wheels are off the ground, you probably have a pretty good climb to get up in your MH.

Both excellent points!