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Virago-Rider · 06-05-2014, 03:43 PM

Is it bad to have the front wheels off the ground? We were on a site that had a slope to it. To get level we had to raise the front so high the front tires were off the ground. I am thinking this is really hard on the jacks.

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**CLIFFTALL** · 06-05-2014, 03:45 PM

The frame and windshield may not be happy in that position.

Ray,IN · 06-05-2014, 03:55 PM

This condition depends, in one aspect, on your brand of jacks and how they work. HWH jacks work in pairs. The front 2 work as a pair the right or left side work as a pair. This is a specific design to prevent twisting the frame according to my HWH manual. Some MH's onlhy have 3 jacks, 2 back, 1 front. This configuration cannot place undue twist on the frame.
That said, some suspension manufacturers say not to raise the wheels off the ground. Your owners manual will have the information for your MH.

BFlinn181 · 06-05-2014, 04:14 PM

If you're uncomfortable with wheels off the ground or afraid of damage, use blocks to run RV up on to reduce distance the front jacks have to lift. One 2" x 2 x 10 cut into lengths at angle to make tiny 'ramps' for the tires. You can stack as many as needed. I drilled holes through mine to pin them to the ground and each other with a long spike.

USMCRET · 06-05-2014, 05:29 PM

I ran out of jack travel AND boards on this one. Still wasn't level, but I stuck with it for the weekend. The distance from the ground to the first step was something to behold.

Dr4Film · 06-05-2014, 05:36 PM

I won't do it and cannot do it 'cause of my air leveling. I request to move to a more level site or leave and find a RV Park that was built to accommodate our big rigs correctly.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

poppopc · 06-05-2014, 05:49 PM

We use blocks and levalors in that case. Any of the wheels of the ground is not good.
I have come to the conclusion, the jacks are stabilisors. Not for drastic levalors.
.IMHO!!!!!!!

ScottS · 06-05-2014, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCRET

I ran out of jack travel AND boards on this one. Still wasn't level, but I stuck with it for the weekend. The distance from the ground to the first step was something to behold.

Holy cow! The front looks to be 2 to 3 feet off the ground, while the rear is almost touching. Did you need a stepladder the get into the unit?

dvmweb · 06-05-2014, 06:46 PM

Don't do it. You are lifting the coach AND the chassis. If a jack fails, whooo boy. Drive up on blocks and put blocks under the jacks. There is a limit for this too. If this won't work, move. I built some out of wolmanized 2x12s and 3/4 in wolmanized plywood on each side. Glued and screwed. Square pieces for the jacks and 2 foot pcs for the wheels. Drilled a hole to pull them out with the awning rod. Heavy duty and work well. Used mine for over a year with good success. For the increased step height we bought one of these:

http://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Tra...on/PA-100.html

Not from this place, but like this.

Virago-Rider · 06-05-2014, 08:47 PM

Definitely going to be making some things to drive up on. I was worried about jacks loosing their hold. We survived it though. The HWH jacks held. But, I will have some boards with me next time.

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vsheetz · 06-05-2014, 09:25 PM

I do it if I have to, never a problem. Check your manual to he sure.

Virago-Rider · 06-06-2014, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I do it if I have to, never a problem. Check your manual to he sure.

When purchasing a used camper, it doesn't always come with the manual. I emailed Thor, they said they do not currently have any documentation on a unit this old.

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Tha_Rooster · 06-06-2014, 09:53 AM

I really never understood why not that is the front if your jacks are bolted to the frame and making the frame level and square. It seems like if the frame can support the coach it should support the wheel. I'm not meaning 2 feet in the air but just a inch or so.

Lostdog · 06-07-2014, 07:28 AM

We have the Lippert levelers and they are configured so that you cannot bend the frame of the motorhome. The jacks always work in pairs. We have been in sites for three months at a time with the front wheels 8 inches off the ground. I did place a call to Lippert to ask if the jacks are built to do this and the answer was "By all means you can lift the FRONT tires off the ground. The jacks are rated at 8000 lbs each" I will not lift the rear tires off the ground because that defeats the parking brake. I do block the tires but just enough to catch the front end IF the jacks should fail.