Community Forums

comanche · 01-01-2016, 08:58 PM

Need to get under my motor home to work
on it. How or most of you doing it.

Paramedic 1 · 01-01-2016, 09:04 PM

Engine OFF....brake SET....wheels CHOCKED....keys OUT of the ignition and in my pocket....I have a set of 3/4 inch thick rubber pads that I can lay down on even when it is wet, cold, gravel, or icy...I got them at Walmart in the fitness section...they even lock together....light and easy to carry and easy to wash off...I used to use cardboard...nasty when wet....
Hope this helps....Safety First

FleetMan · 01-01-2016, 09:14 PM

I have six ramps made from 2x12 lumber, four planks thick which I drive up on. This gives me six inches of clearance which is enough to slide under both axles on a creeper. Makes working underneath a lot more comfortable. Yes, I take all the safety precautions so I am not in danger of anything foolish. An enclosed garage with concrete floor is nice compared to a piece of cardboard on the dirt - which I have done plenty of tomes in the past.

comanche · 01-01-2016, 09:25 PM

The reason I ask I think I can get to my gray water values
I sure can not reach them where you pull the handle out.
When I look under there there is some screws out and a pans
drop out.

KIX · 01-01-2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetMan

I have six ramps made from 2x12 lumber, four planks thick which I drive up on. This gives me six inches of clearance which is enough to slide under both axles on a creeper. Makes working underneath a lot more comfortable. Yes, I take all the safety precautions so I am not in danger of anything foolish. An enclosed garage with concrete floor is nice compared to a piece of cardboard on the dirt - which I have done plenty of tomes in the past.

Same thing here. Mine are full cut 2 x 12's and two thick.

Old-Biscuit · 01-01-2016, 09:27 PM

Credit Card and a chassis shop

Don't crawl under vehicles anymore

BUT when I did......

Transmission in Park/Manual in Reverse, Emergency/parking brake ON, wheels chocked ----one rear and one front opposite side of rear

Ludmilla · 01-02-2016, 06:40 AM

I do not get under a motor home unless I use jack stands.

Mr. Hipster · 01-02-2016, 07:06 AM

Never get under the bus.

palehorse89 · 01-02-2016, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Hipster

Never get under the bus.

Wondering how you service your chassis? Hire it done?

MSHappyCampers · 01-02-2016, 07:09 AM

I use the air bags to raise the MH as high as possible, then I have a pair of 12-ton jack stands that I place under the are where I will be working!

wa8yxm · 01-02-2016, 08:05 AM

Depends on the motor home, Regarding engine, transmission, keys and such. The advice above is excellent and I second it.

On my coach, jacks up, wheels down, I fit. but with jack stands under 4 key points.. I FIT BETTER.. Jack stands, NOT the hydraulics but six ton jack stands (At least in the rear, I use smaller ones in the front due to clearance issues.)

I can also run the wheels up on ramps for a few additional inches of clearance.

Alas. many motor homes you need more than that. Mine has high clearance to start with.

TonyMac · 01-02-2016, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I use the air bags to raise the MH as high as possible, then I have a pair of 12-ton jack stands that I place under the are where I will be working!

ditto

FIRE UP · 01-02-2016, 11:37 AM

Well,
I guess I'm the odd one here. I don't worry about the "Key's in the ignition" and all that. To me, it's simple. I have a specific set of blocks that, when the coach suspension is fully aired up, those blocks, approximately 12"x12"x 11" high that JUST fit under the jacks. Then, I hit the dump valve and that lowers the coach on to those blocks. It only drops about an inch.

Then my jacks will take that coach up as high as I want it, to the point that all 6 are off the ground by 6" or more, if I desire. Everyone has to determine just what a "safe" height, level, situation, work ethic etc. is for each one of us. I've had to have my coach fairly high to work under it for my reasons. But, that's not always the case. Most of the time, it's high enough for me, and my trusty creeper to adequately meander around, under the big beast.

As has been posted, many of us do our own work and, still get down, under the big girl and, do what we need or want to do. And others, drop it off at whatever establishment they choose and, wait for a phone call telling them to come pick it up 'cause it's done. There is no right or wrong way here. If you're one of the ones that chooses to do your own work, an needs to raise that coach, to whatever level you need for a particular work event, then, you gotta do what ya gotta do.
Scott

1ciderdog · 01-02-2016, 05:31 PM

I'm not skinny (6 foot and 195 lbs.) but I can slide under to do the things I want to like change oil, lube the zerk fittings and service the transmission. I do have 2X12's that I can run the RV up on if I need to change the air drier or if I just want more space for whatever I may be doing.