Community Forums

chuckbear · 01-18-2016, 06:13 PM

Arrived at our spot for our motorhome this afternoon and found the ground not so level. Our front wheels are off the ground by about an inch. I just wonder if there are any issues concerning the suspension, levelers or whatever with the coach sitting for any period of time with the wheels in the air? Thanks for any suggestions. I may get some blocks to put under the wheels but that won't happen for a few days. Chuck

flaresadog · 01-18-2016, 06:42 PM

While it's not fatal I would not encourage it. Consider either purchasing some blocks or if you have a larger class A DP, make some yourself using a stall mat. They can be purchased for about $30 at a farm supply store. Cut them into 2'x1' rectangles. They can be stacked into multiple configurations including using one of them as a ramp to drive onto the others. They will not crush or break and last forever. In addition, if your steps end up too high from the ground they can be placed at the bottom to add a step.

Mr_D · 01-18-2016, 06:48 PM

On our previous rig, an '02 Dutch Star, I stored it beside the house with the front wheels off the ground by 6" or so for 6 months at a time over a period of 13 years with no trouble.
BUT: I also asked the various tech people
Newmar said no problem.
Spartan said no problem.
Reyco-Granning said no problem
Koni said no problem.

easdsa · 01-18-2016, 06:55 PM

Our Foretravel uses the air bags to level, so no jacks. A couple of times I've been in a place where I had to put some 2x6 planks under one end or the other in order to level. Remember that the entire tire footprint needs to be on whatever you are putting under the tires.

For those who have jacks, remember that if you have 8" diameter pads on four jacks, and your coach weighs 30,000 pounds, you have 150 pounds per square inch. If you are on soft ground you can find yourself just pushing your jacks into the ground if you don't put something under the jacks to spread the weight.

chuckbear · 01-18-2016, 07:18 PM

Thanks Mr D. That kind of information is helpful. If there are reasons NOT to do this, it only helps if I know what those reasons are, and why it may damage something in the process. I suspect a call to Fleetwood might be a good idea. As long as the shocks and suspension will take the stress, I would hope it won't be a problem. I would think it's basically the weight of the wheels and springs. Chuck

Mr_D · 01-18-2016, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckbear

Thanks Mr D. That kind of information is helpful. If there are reasons NOT to do this, it only helps if I know what those reasons are, and why it may damage something in the process. I suspect a call to Fleetwood might be a good idea. As long as the shocks and suspension will take the stress, I would hope it won't be a problem. I would think it's basically the weight of the wheels and springs. Chuck

Sometimes the suspension itself will be the overtravel stop or maybe just the shocks. If it's the shocks they might be damaged by the weight. That's why I checked with everyone concerned with the IFS suspension. Our present rig has air leveling and I wish it had both air and jacks.

Ray,IN · 01-19-2016, 05:19 PM

From what I've read on this subject (irv2.com and other RV forums) solid axle front suspension chassis should not lift the wheels off the ground. IFS says OK, as Mr. D posted.

GA Navigator · 01-19-2016, 06:24 PM

I don't like the idea of it regardless of suspension type, but I would definitely not lift the rear off the ground due to parking brakes only being on the rears.

1994 Holiday Rambler Navigator
Cummins 8.3
Allison MD3060

Mr_D · 01-19-2016, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

From what I've read on this subject (irv2.com and other RV forums) solid axle front suspension chassis should not lift the wheels off the ground. IFS says OK, as Mr. D posted.

I wouldn't take what I posted as a "blanket" statement!!
In my case I checked with all the component manufacturers before I did it. Others may find differently.
If I had had Bilstein shocks it might have been different, I don't know because I didn't need to check with them.
Each owner needs to check with their specific manufacturer.

530ktm · 01-19-2016, 06:39 PM

You are going to get all kinds of answers to this but this is my take. Yes the jacks can handle the weight and no it probably will not damage anything. But, it is not going to damage anything by driving the tires up on some other supporting blocks to take some of the strain off the other components. And, if you are walking around inside then it is going to be more stable with the wheels on the ground as well as the jacks since you now have 2 more contact points for stability. It is like a lot of things, it probably wont hurt anything but it surely isn't going to help anything by hanging your front end out in space.

alpha99 · 01-19-2016, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 530ktm

It probably wont hurt anything but it surely isn't going to help anything by hanging your front end out in space.

530ktm said,

"Like a lot of things, it probably wont hurt anything but it surely isn't going to help anything by hanging your front end out in space."

---—----------—---------—--------

The OP said his front tires were "off the ground about an inch" - now I'd hardly call that "hanging your front end out in space"

LoL

V3600 · 01-19-2016, 07:26 PM

What does your owners manual say?

Dodgey · 01-20-2016, 04:06 AM

Just a thought.

Are you using auto level or manual?

The lci system on our Damon puts 2" -3" of 'pre' lift on as it sets it's self up for auto levelling. Using the manul function I can remove this, I don't like wheels of the ground.

**JohnRR** · 01-20-2016, 05:34 AM

Now why didn't I think of trying that? Must be unconscious laziness on my part

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodgey

Just a thought.

Are you using auto level or manual?

The lci system on our Damon puts 2" -3" of 'pre' lift on as it sets it's self up for auto levelling. Using the manul function I can remove this, I don't like wheels of the ground.