Wheels off the ground

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by DandS

I stand by my statement......IMO it is unsafe.

Not according to HWH and my experience!

[Jerry J]

What kind of motorhome, jacks?
No problem with HWH off ground, wheels should be blocked if the rear off the ground. Call them to get the facts. Freightliner states (mine anyway) that the shocks are the only thing in front holding the wheels, axles, etc. off the ground so put blocks under the front tires to support them if they must be off the ground.

[heybc]

Spartan says don't leave the front wheels hanging on the IFS front end. Don't know about Freightliner.

[Jerry J]

Freightliner says the same.

(Winnebago Vectra with IFS, 60°)

Originally Posted by heybc

Spartan says don't leave the front wheels hanging on the IFS front end. Don't know about Freightliner.

[John_N_Terry]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Not according to HWH and my experience!

What about your chassis manufacturer? Have you asked them?

[Elkhartjim]

Originally Posted by John_N_Terry

What about your chassis manufacturer? Have you asked them?

Mike Cody, the Camp Freightliner guru spent 30 minutes drilling the class on never, never, ever suspend the front and/or rear wheel(s) by any means. HWH or any other jack mfg's don't have a clue about the chassis design only that their jacks can lift "x" weight. They are called leveling jacks for a reason...not lifting jacks.

["007"]

Which way is appropriate will be born out with bent jack frames at owners expense.
If you think your correct non of us will change that.
Some one brought up the use of wheel chocks they should be used whether on level or slopped site which was the original post question.

[WheelingIt]

I agree with the "don't do it" people. The jacks are for levelling and stabilizing, not for lifting. With wind gusts, water/mud etc. the motorhome could shift and cause excess shear stresses to be put on the jacks.

We carry Lynx blocks and pieces of wood to support the wheels if we need to. They're cheap and easy to use, and I always feel better with all wheels supported.

[Mr_D]

I have a call in to Reyco Granning about this, waiting for a call back.

And the HWH jacks ARE designed and sized to safely lift the entire weight of the RV. I have talked to them about just this scenario. Our rams are rated at 12,000#'s each and we have four of them, our GVWR is 34,600#'s so we're far under the rating.

13 years experience with HWH jacks on three different MH's says it's safe.

Retired engineer and RV'ing since 1957

["007"]

Yes your DP heavier jacks can lift your coach, with all four jacks, off the ground but I would not advise anyone to rely on leaving in that state while people are moving around in coach.
Shifting weights of movement in coach may move coach off jacks.
People with non DP coach's and electric jacks maybe close to their lifting weight limits.
Not all camp sites have concrete pads.

[Mr_D]

I sent an email to Spartan about storing the MH with the front tires off the ground for seven months like I've done for years. Here's the answer I got:

Per your question about the storing the coach with the front wheels off the ground it should not cause a problem.

Thanks

Charlie Fisher
Retail Customer Service Representative
Spartan Chassis, Inc.
1540 Reynolds Road
Charlotte, MI 48813
(800) 543-4277
charles.fisher@spartanchassis.com

So, Spartan says it's OK, and HWH says it's OK. Waiting for an answer from Reyco Granning.

[Perry White]

Sitting on the jacks is the same as putting jack stands under the frame. It ain't gonna move unless it's on soft ground. It will sink in but won't shift with all 4 down. It WILL break the rear shocks from the weight of the rear carrier.. Don't ask how I know.

["007"]

How would the tag axel do that Perry?

[Perry White]

Tag axle won't, the drive axle has the weight. Pulled the stems out of the bielsteins.