Community Forums

kevinbdavis · 07-18-2016, 07:27 PM

Just got this Class A, and we're new to motorhomes. The coach came with some wheel ramps. I'm used to using these with my TT's, but I'm not sure if they are needed with the coach.

I have hydraulic leveling jacks. In my driveway, it's fairly steep where I have it parked now, so I did use the ramps, but I'm wondering, do I need to?

Thanks in advance, just making sure I don't carry these big heavy ramps around for nothing.

vsheetz · 07-18-2016, 07:42 PM

A class A with jacks may still need some help to compensate for very uneven or out of level camp sites.

Most folks carry several pieces of 2x8 or 2x10 lumber. Not uncommon is to lift the front tires off the ground with the jacks, and many will use blocks in such a scenario.

Jack pads are sometimes a good thing as well if the ground is soft - spreads out the weight to minimize jack sinking into the ground.

Don't know how big your ramps are. Maybe they are better utilized just at home for working under the coach.

kevinbdavis · 07-18-2016, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

A class A with jacks may still need some help to compensate for very uneven or out of level camp sites.

Most folks carry several pieces of 2x8 or 2x10 lumber. Not uncommon is to lift the front tires off the ground with the jacks, and many will use blocks in such a scenario.

Jack pads are sometimes a good thing as well if the ground is soft - spreads out the weight to minimize jack sinking into the ground.

Don't know how big your ramps are. Maybe they are better utilized just at home for working under the coach.

Thank you! They are made from 3 sections of 2x10, probably 2' long in total.

I also have some pieces for the jacks on gravel, asphalt, or dirt.

Good to know, I'll put them in the basement so we have them when we need them.

Thanks!

Ray,IN · 07-18-2016, 09:07 PM

Some MH chassis mfgrs state not to raise the front tires off the ground, others state raising the front tires off the ground is OK. Until you know, I'd use the ramps when a campsite is that much off-level to support the front tires.
I assume you know to never attempt to raise the rear tires off the ground or run them up on ramps in an off-level site; that's a great way to ruin your jacks and possibly damage your MH.

530ktm · 07-18-2016, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinbdavis

Just got this Class A, and we're new to motorhomes. The coach came with some wheel ramps. I'm used to using these with my TT's, but I'm not sure if they are needed with the coach.

I have hydraulic leveling jacks. In my driveway, it's fairly steep where I have it parked now, so I did use the ramps, but I'm wondering, do I need to?

Thanks in advance, just making sure I don't carry these big heavy ramps around for nothing.

I always put wood under tires to make coach as level as possible and then use the jacks to fine tune. I also put wood under jacks so they don't have to extend too far to level because in my opinion it helps to stabilize the coach more efficiently. I will never lift front tires off the ground and keep it that way but that is just me, others disagree always. Enjoy your new coach.

Dutch Star Don · 07-18-2016, 09:21 PM

"kevinbdavis"......I've had several RV's over the years and always carried ramps. Once I bought one with jacks, I still carried them, but limited it to just three. Typically, the most you need is two under the front and one under one inside dual, or one under the front and two under the rear.

I also keep two small blocks that are larger in diameter than the front jacks and about 4" tall. You'll need these if you have to run the front up on ramps, to place under front jacks.

Skip the wood, for when the jacks are on gravel or dirt, either buy some heavy cutting boards or the plastic pads made for jacks. They're cleaner, lighter and often easier to store.

kevinbdavis · 07-19-2016, 08:17 AM

Thanks folks!

I appreciate the advice. We'll be staying in commercial campgrounds a good bit of the time, but we will likely also find ourselves in Montana area campgrounds, which can be a bit more rustic.

I'll keep the ramps in my coach.

This is my current situation, just parked temporarily as we get some stuff restored on it and get ready for a trip. The usual spot will be behind that Grand Cherokee.

This seems to be a decent way to do it, and the rear jacks aren't even deployed.

OLYLEN · 07-19-2016, 08:40 AM

For the operation of the jacks the only need for the ramps is not needing to lube the extended rams of the jacks from long term parking. I know many do not clean the rams and I do not also for camping but for long term parking/storage I do not extend the jacks.

LEN

kevinbdavis · 07-19-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

For the operation of the jacks the only need for the ramps is not needing to lube the extended rams of the jacks from long term parking. I know many do not clean the rams and I do not also for camping but for long term parking/storage I do not extend the jacks.

LEN

So you're saying if my coach were to sit in this position where it's parked now, I'd want to use the ramps, but for camping, there's no need? I hate to carry around extra weight, if even small, if I don't have to.

twogypsies · 07-19-2016, 02:14 PM

Carry the ramps. We sometimes had to use them with our 40' MH when in public parks or boondocking. We shutter whenever we see the front tires raised off the ground on motorhomes. That's a lot of stress put on the jacks and a safety hazard if a slippage on a slope.

Your motorhome is quite capable of carrying the weight of the ramps.

Even carrying a full tank of water will make no difference in fuel mileage.