Is my RV nose down?

[pvancil]

I recently bought a older Class-A. I poured a landing pad to park it on. I took extra care to ensure the pad was level front to back and side to side.

When I parked my RV on the pad, my leveling app indicated that I was low in the front. I confirmed this with a bubble level in the frig and several surfaces.

I don't have leveling jacks, so I used ramps to raise the front until the inside was level. It took 3 inches.

Anyone have any ideas why my RV is nose down?

[IggyTech]

Originally Posted by pvancil

I recently bought a older Class-A. I poured a landing pad to park it on. I took extra care to ensure the pad was level front to back and side to side.

When I parked my RV on the pad, my leveling app indicated that I was low in the front. I confirmed this with a bubble level in the frig and several surfaces.

I don't have leveling jacks, so I used ramps to raise the front until the inside was level. It took 3 inches.

Anyone have any ideas why my RV is nose down?

This is typical for the Ford F-53 chassis. V-10 gasser.

[Tha_Rooster]

If it’s a gasser maybe the engine, maybe rear has heavier springs,I doubt not many are level front to back.

[wingnuts]

My old 93 pace arrow on the p30 chassis was nose low

[NCC-1701A]

I've had three RV's on the F-53 V10 chassis spanning from 1999 to 2016. All three sat perfectly level on my level pad. Two were Fleetwood and one was a Newmar. Maybe I got lucky.

[wingnuts]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701A

I've had three RV's on the F-53 V10 chassis spanning from 1999 to 2016. All three sat perfectly level on my level pad. Two were Fleetwood and one was a Newmar. Maybe I got lucky.

Our 2001 itasca sunrise 30w on ford f53 sits perfectly level also

[ThePowells]

Welcome to the forum!

Are the tires the same size as was OE?
Has their been additions to the rear springs either by adding spacers or airbags?

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701A

I've had three RV's on the F-53 V10 chassis spanning from 1999 to 2016. All three sat perfectly level on my level pad. Two were Fleetwood and one was a Newmar. Maybe I got lucky.

Maybe we did too, but our 2017 model sets level on a level pad.

As Tha_Rooster suggested, maybe the rear springs are heavier than stock or something else was done to stiffen the rear.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by pvancil

I recently bought a older Class-A. I poured a landing pad to park it on. I took extra care to ensure the pad was level front to back and side to side.

When I parked my RV on the pad, my leveling app indicated that I was low in the front. I confirmed this with a bubble level in the frig and several surfaces.

I don't have leveling jacks, so I used ramps to raise the front until the inside was level. It took 3 inches.

Anyone have any ideas why my RV is nose down?

Well pvancil,
You say yours is an "Older" class A. You don't say just exactly what year/make/model/chassis/engine etc. As you can read, not all coaches are created equal. Just because any number of ones on here sit level, on a level surface, that does NOT mean that yours or everyone's should. There's all kinds of reasons. Mostly suspension is the governing factor. Just for grins, if yours is a gasser (assumed), does it by any chance, have additional air bags in the rear? Some folks added those to the rear, to bolster up sagging rear leaf springs. Some did it so they could carry more weight and or, be able to cope with some harsh tongue weight of a trailer, who knows?

If there's no additional air bags, then it's quite possible that it's just the rear springs that are strong enough to make that thing have it's rake. Or, it's also possible the front springs are WEAK, causing it to be a bit lower in the front. Again, lots of this is assumption. Let us know what you find out.
Scott

[Fancy Free]

We have a 2011 Tiffin 34TGA gasser on the F53 chassis, about 39K miles. We have noted that in profile, the coach resembles an old Camero I had in high school, tail high, nose down. Our travel buddies with a 2017 Newmar gasser on F53 have similar issues.
If the pad we park on is level, the auto-level system handles it and front tires stay (minimally) in contact with ground. But if the pad is older/unlevel, and adds to our nose-down attitude, we use interlocking blocks under the front tires, about 3”, prior to auto-leveling. This keeps the auto-level from lifting front wheels off the ground.
Not sure why the coach is nose-low; we have considered weakened front suspension parts, just poor weight distribution with front engine, or strong rear springs to allow for more loaded weight to be carried over the rear axel.

[pvancil]

Thanks everyone. I am new to class-As. I assumed all thinks were level. Never thought about thinks like shocks and springs. What everyone says makes sense.

I got a good deal on. 2003 RVision Trail-Lite. It only has 12300 miles. I ran a report and confirmed this. My mechanic gave a thumbs up on the engine, drive train, and under carriage. The only thing that seems funky is the breaks. I think there is a lot of travel in the petal, but my mechanic say everything is fine. Again, it may be that I am just new to something bigger than my F 150 PU.

The RV is built on a GMC Workhorse frame. As far as I know the suspension is stock.

Again, thanks for the information. Anything else will be greatly appreciated.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by pvancil

Thanks everyone. I am new to class-As. I assumed all thinks were level. Never thought about thinks like shocks and springs. What everyone says makes sense.

I got a good deal on. 2003 RVision Trail-Lite. It only has 12300 miles. I ran a report and confirmed this. My mechanic gave a thumbs up on the engine, drive train, and under carriage. The only thing that seems funky is the breaks. I think there is a lot of travel in the petal, but my mechanic say everything is fine. Again, it may be that I am just new to something bigger than my F 150 PU.

The RV is built on a GMC Workhorse frame. As far as I know the suspension is stock.

Again, thanks for the information. Anything else will be greatly appreciated.

Roger that Sir,
Thanks for getting back on here with your pertinent info of your coach. As far as a "LEVEL" pad, yep, we've been at many, many RV resorts, campgrounds etc. that have nice, what appears to be, really level parking pads. But, when either using the auto-leveling system or, doing manually, the coach ends up needing more that some of us think, in order to achieve level, according to coach components, i.e. fridge, LED lights on HWH control pads etc.
It is what it is. Some folks do not like carrying lumber around for additional leveling but, I've found it invaluable for all kinds of camping situations.
Scott

[gozierdt]

I think my rig rides a bit nose low also. Workhorse P32 chassis. But it’s not on a level pad for me to check.

As far as the brakes, the P32 chassis is noted for having weak brakes. The power brake system is driven by a “Hydroboost” system that gets its power from the power steering pump. Long pedal travel seems to be one of the normal operating conditions. I’ve replaced rotors, pads, bled the system twice, and only gotten marginal improvement. I think it’s safe, and I drive very defensively, but there are certainly many rigs out there with better brakes. Just stay as aware as you can of traffic and road conditions. Think like a big rig driver!

[Mudfrog]

It's possible there are air bags inside the front coil springs. The originals on my 03 Workhorse dry rotted/disintegrated after about 6 years. However, their absence only amounted to maybe a 1 inch drop,,, nowhere near 3 inches.