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11-29-2015, 05:39 AM
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#1
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northeast
Posts: 99
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Extend jacks for winter storage
Should I extend my jacks to keep the weight off the tires during winter storage.
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Tom n Nancy, 2016 Itasca 40R, 2015 Jeep Wrangler
Chessie and Travis "The Pups"
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11-29-2015, 05:46 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Parsonsfield Maine
Posts: 88
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I have stored my 40ft jacks extended for years without any issues.
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11-29-2015, 05:51 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 177
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I don't like to expose the chrome part of the jacks for a long period of time if I don't have to. Here in Canada for the cold winter months I put 2 X 10 wood boards under tires then I use 6 X6 on ground plus 2 X6 on top till it touches or very close to jack bottom plates then I release air from suspension and the motorhome weight is on the jacks and not on tires. This way all weight is off tires and chrome part of jacks is not expose to elements in winter
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Roger & Lynne
2006 Mandalay 40 F 2232 400 ISL Allison 3000
2007 Toyota Camry SE Toad 4 down
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11-29-2015, 06:25 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oshawa
Posts: 292
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I don't think it would corrode the chrome in a normal climate, but in an area where there is salt in the air, it may. (Sea side, or next to a salted highway) We regularly store chrome outdoors in the elements without a second thought and it survives well. That chrome does not get to hide in a compartment most of it's life or live mostly out of reach from atmospheric fallout either. Of course there is chrome and there is chrome, some may start out with a weak finish. In a Canadian winter, the temperature is low and that is a positive factor which would reduce the reaction. I have heard people say that in long term use the shafts could be sprayed with a corrosion inhibitor. I'm not sure if that's a good idea unless it was just hydraulic fluid.
In any case I have never seen a post from someone who found corroded jacks.
High Ball has the solution for sure!! +1
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11-29-2015, 06:33 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
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The tire makers say yes, to help the tires out. The jack makers say the jack is less vulnerable if retracted, so they prefer it that way. I say both are taking a very narrow viewpoint and it makes little practical difference in the long run. IMO you should do what ever is convenient for YOU. Ours are normally always down, but that's more because we are in and out of the rig during the off-season.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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11-29-2015, 09:22 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 379
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My Mh sits w/jacks up when stored. 13 yrs and no problems.
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11-29-2015, 12:07 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,754
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Jacks down, that's what my manual says for storage and that's what they are there for.
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2014 American Eagle 45T
DD 13, 500 HP
Pulling a Honda CRV
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11-30-2015, 04:53 AM
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#8
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northeast
Posts: 99
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Extend jacks during storage
Thanks to all who responded. I love this forum because I get a wealth of information from the many veterans around the country, I have decided to extend the jacks and keep the weight off the tires during the winter storage.
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Tom n Nancy, 2016 Itasca 40R, 2015 Jeep Wrangler
Chessie and Travis "The Pups"
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11-30-2015, 06:25 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trynforpar
Thanks to all who responded. I love this forum because I get a wealth of information from the many veterans around the country, I have decided to extend the jacks and keep the weight off the tires during the winter storage.
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Just spray the jack legs with silicone to protect them when extended for a long period if time is what my manual says.
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Del & Lori 2007 Diplomat 40PDQ - 2020 Grand Cherokee TrailHawk Hemi Toad, M&G Brake System, Blue Ox.
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11-30-2015, 07:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,593
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Quote:
Originally Posted by High Ball
I don't like to expose the chrome part of the jacks for a long period of time if I don't have to. Here in Canada for the cold winter months I put 2 X 10 wood boards under tires then I use 6 X6 on ground plus 2 X6 on top till it touches or very close to jack bottom plates then I release air from suspension and the motorhome weight is on the jacks and not on tires. This way all weight is off tires and chrome part of jacks is not expose to elements in winter
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If you have HWH jacks the shaft is made from SST and will not rust. HWH says it will not harm them to store for extended periods extended. They do say to wipe them with a rag wetted with WD40, then again with a dry rag, to clean dirt from them.
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2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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11-30-2015, 09:11 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tasmania now, USA/Canada/Alaska in April
Posts: 2,473
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I compromise and achieve both aims.
With the MH fully aired up, pack under the jack pads with blocks leaving a 1/2" gap. Then dump the air. Jacks are fully retracted and there is minimal weight on the tyres. Win-Win.
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Tony Lee - International Grey Nomad. Picasa Album - Travel Map
RVs. USA - Airstream Cutter; in Australia - MC8 40' DIY Coach conversion & OKA 4x4 MH; in Germany - Hobby Class C; in S America - F350 with 2500 10.6 Bigfoot camper
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11-30-2015, 09:15 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,308
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Lee
I compromise and achieve both aims.
With the MH fully aired up, pack under the jack pads with blocks leaving a 1/2" gap. Then dump the air. Jacks are fully retracted and there is minimal weight on the tyres. Win-Win.
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That is exactly how mine is stored over the winter......Just a bit higher right now as I am doing a service on it, and it seems I need a bit more room to work under it these days......
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2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
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11-30-2015, 05:46 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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The Chassis makers recommend it,, here are some guidelines.
In the fall, Place wood blocks (2x 12 by 12 works well) under each jack.. I will explain in a bit.. Extend, Spray or wipe with the lubricant you use.. Come spring, Re-lubricate and retract, Pick up blocks after moving RV.
Now why the blocks..
I have had my jacks freeze to the ground but NEVER to the wood blocks, If you have to move the RV before it thaws for any reason (Say to get gas cause you ahd to use the generator for 3 days.. My RV was "Wired" to power the needed services in the house (Furenace, Fridge, Freezer, Microwave, TV/Radio/Computer and SOME lights) this way you can retract jacks.. The blocks will freeze to the ground but a gentle tap from an 8 pound hammer and they just naturally pop free.
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Home is where I park it!
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11-30-2015, 06:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,666
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A couple of thoughts.
1. If your storage parking space is not flat and hard, your leveling jacks are retracted, and you let all of the air out of the bags, then the frame and the structure of your "house" will be subjected to twisting forces for the duration of the storage time. I understand that this is not supposed to be detrimental to the bags themselves, but they are hardly the most expensive thing to be worrying about. I am more concerned about the chassis twist, however minor, for an extended time period. Last winter, I parked in my back yard on the grass, with sheets of plywood under the tires to keep them from sinking into the mud during the spring thaw. I used my portable compressor to periodically reinflate the suspension bags to keep them at or near ride height. This year, we have a compacted gravel parking pad, and I have learned more about how the jacks work. It's jacks-down for me. The leveling system is designed to prevent the application of twisting forces to the frame and coach body. The suspension bag stops are not.
2. If you build cribbing to allow the retracted jacks to support the sprung weight of the MH, and the frame twists as a result, you're swapping chassis life for (arguable) tire life. I don't believe for one second that those retracted jacks are all in the same plane. I don't know how much torsional force it takes to cause damage, but I'm very sure that zero torsional force won't be detrimental. I have absurd visions of crawling around beneath the coach with lasers, trying to adjust the cribbing to get the frame straight. I'd rather buy new tires than to fix all of the problems caused by prolonged frame twisting. If you really love your tires, you can buy some jack stands, lift the coach and support the axles with the tires off the ground. Careful, no parking brake! Don't forget to inflate the bags or level with jacks, though, because they are protecting the frame.
Way more than my two cents...
Mike
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PBD
Freghtliner XC, CAT 3126B
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Mike
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