Brand new with a question on Class A diesel

[dougpaper]

So was going between a 5th wheel and a 34-36' class a pusher. My search is alot of fun we will probably purchase something a couple years old maintained well. i have a large yard and will keep it on my property, i have a tree off the street i have to remove no biggie. The bigger isssue is my driveway goes up hill off the street with a rather steep curb, most of our cars except the suv's scrape.
I can get somewhat of a angle and possibly back it up but more importantly can i get airlifts put onto the diesel pusher that would lift up the back when i need it just for going up the driveway? I want to avoid keeping planks in my yard when i return and also dont want to hold up traffic in my quiet neighborhood thru the back up process. My dad drove a city bus in pittsburgh and they had the kneeler button the buses so that handicap people didnt have a big step up. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Bigd9]

Our driveway is similar as you describe. My 35 foot coach drags the hitch everytime I enter and leave. The UPS truck actually got stuck when a extended hitch on the truck dug in and his rear tires left the ground.

On your question, yes there is a device that will lift the rear air bags a little, but I haven't really looked into it. maybe now is a good time to look into it again.

[Ray,IN]

You will need to find a way to disable the leveling valves on the rear, otherwise they will let air out of the stock rear bags when you attempt to raise the rear with optional air bags.
Thinking out loud; I've seen city driveways with a pipe laid in the gutter and concrete poured over the pipe, making a ramp.

[Bigd9]

Years ago when I looked into it, I remember someone was selling a solenoid that you could mount that would move the leveling valve lever so the airbags would inflate and raise the rear.

[CountryB]

Perhaps look for a Coach with air bag suspension that has "air leveling"(rather than, or in addition to, hyd jack leveling).

My Coach has the HWH air leveling which has a "raise" button to lift up the chassis. It will only will stay raised while you hold down the raise button (when in Travel mode), so you can drive at the raise height, which is great for situations like yours, or crossing railroad tracks, etc.

[Bigd9]

I just did a search and found this. Here is a link to a discussion from back in 2018
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/tem...se-375292.html

[MO Fred]

If, as you say, have a big yard, why not just make a separate entrance for your coach on to your property. You would likely need to hire someone with a bobcat to level it off then put down gravel. This is exactly what I did.

[JohnBoyToo]

Does your existing drive have the strength for a 35-40k lb vehicle ? if only 2 or 3 inches and no rebar, it may not... so research that first...

If the existing is fine, another option, which may help all your guests, is to widen the entrance to your existing driveway and lessen the grade....

but a second circular entrance may be the ticket ! we are like the gooberment, we can spend YOUR money easily
good luck !

(and jealous you can park it at home.. rv storage adds up - I figure @ a cheap $100/mth (with elec. - I know!) times 10 years - $12000 could have built a nice garage !

[rffowler55]

We live on top of a mountain in North Georgia and our driveway is very steep and then makes an abrupt change in angle as you approach the parking area, needless to say a nightmare for parking a 33' coach without scraping. We solved the issue with a set of 'skid-wheels' that attach to the hitch, which fortunately is the low point on the rear. The 'skid-wheels' actually force the rear end to rise and keeps the coach from scraping. I can imagine this setup would not work for everyone depending on how dramatic your change in grade is from the driveway to the parking area.


Our previous class C 'Born-Free' had a set of 'skid-wheels' that were installed at the factory and they were a life saver when pulling into driveways that had a drastic change in grade.

[JohnBoyToo]

glad it's worked out for you but I would be seriously concerned with those...
Ask your mfg and I'll bet they'll say not no, but HELL no

if the grade is too much, the amount of force on the frame COULD be catastrophic!

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

It sounds to me like you need to find a place to store it off-premises!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[TripleGGG]

Where do you live in North GA Mtns. I lived in Hiawassee and Blairsville for years.