Community Forums

Nadge · 12-28-2016, 07:27 AM

Storing my newmar ventana over NJ winter, in the open.
Should jacks be down to take some weight off the tires resting on plywood, which has stone base underneath?
Jack feet have 2" X 12" blocks to rest on.

slapfoot · 12-28-2016, 07:42 AM

I store mine inside and put the jacks down to take some weight off the tires. I don't see any difference between jacks down in storage and jacks down while snowbirding for long periods.

wnytaxman · 12-28-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapfoot

I store mine inside and put the jacks down to take some weight off the tires. I don't see any difference between jacks down in storage and jacks down while snowbirding for long periods.

The suggested way to go is to put blocks under the jacks and then deflate the air bags. This takes much of the weight off the tires but also puts quite a bit of the weight on the blocks. It gives you an extra four points of weight distribution.

This is the method suggested by Freightliner at Camp Freightliner.

Unplanned Tourist · 12-28-2016, 09:11 AM

Bad idea to leave jacks down, good idea to have blocks under them and weight off the tires.

**TonyDi** · 12-28-2016, 11:35 AM

Leaving jacks down for extended time is not a good idea. You will be leaving the cylinders exposed (possible rusting issues). Block under the jacks and dump the air instead.

Nadge · 12-28-2016, 01:27 PM

Just bought this Diesel Ventana. Only had gasoline engines.
Working my way through manuals.

If I use the suggested block method under the jacks, how do I dump the air bags and how many inches do I gain for taking pressure off the tires and not extend the jacks at all?

Kiawah · 12-28-2016, 08:55 PM

My leveling control panel, has a number of buttons on them.
- One button is autolevel, when pressed it dumps the air first, then starts to extend the jacks to level out the coach.
- Another button is manual dump, when pressed will just dump the air from the suspension.

I cut blocks which fit just under the jacks, about an inch from the jack pad. When you press the manual dump button, it will release the air from the suspension. As the coach starts to squat the jack pads will lower onto the blocks, taking the bulk of the weight of the coach.

The weight is off the tires, jacks don't have any metal cylinder exposed and are holding the weight. Very stable.

(Actually my driveway has a little slope to it, so I cut the blocks so that when my coach squats it ends up level. That way I can move my slides in and out if I want or need to with no worries).

When you want to move, you need to air up the suspension, then you can pull the blocks of wood out before moving.

Cat320 · 12-29-2016, 03:08 PM

My manual says to put the jacks down... that's why they are there. If you get concerned about the jacks, spray them with silicone.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-29-2016, 04:21 PM

The tire manufacturer prefers you to put the jacks down, to ease the load on the tires. The jack manufacturer prefers to have the jacks up, to protect the surface of the hydraulic ram from corrosion and dirt.

Ya pays your money and ya takes your pick!

The safest all-around choice is to jack up the chassis and put blocks underneath the frame rails, then lower it again. That takes weight off the tires and the jacks are still retracted.

Frankly, I wouldn't lose sleep about it whatever you decide to do.

dennis45 · 12-29-2016, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

The tire manufacturer prefers you to put the jacks down, to ease the load on the tires. The jack manufacturer prefers to have the jacks up, to protect the surface of the hydraulic ram from corrosion and dirt.

Ya pays your money and ya takes your pick!

The safest all-around choice is to jack up the chassis and put blocks underneath the frame rails, then lower it again. That takes weight off the tires and the jacks are still retracted.

Frankly, I wouldn't lose sleep about it whatever you decide to do.

Sound advice.

The major manufacturer HWH, claims there is absolutely no harm in leaving the jacks extended. These are hard chrome finished rams an not affected by weather. You may want to crawl under and wipe them off with a spray lube of some sort before retracting them in the spring but leaving them extended is perfectly acceptable.
See attached link below.

1

twinboat · 12-29-2016, 04:45 PM

Over 40 years fixing heavy and construction equipment.

Never saw a rusty hydraulic piston rod. There are many pistons that are stored exposed all of the time.

Look at any backhoe.

AFChap · 12-29-2016, 04:52 PM

I grew up farming, and like twinboat did not see any rusted hydraulic pistons on equipment that sat totally exposed to the weather (not hidden underneath like on a motorhome) for many months at a time.

My HWH jacks have been down virtually all the time since I bought the coach in 2003 except when driving. I have NEVER sprayed anything on the rams, and I have NEVER wiped down the rams. They are in great condition and have never failed to go up or down when prompted.

palehorse89 · 12-29-2016, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

Sound advice.

The major manufacturer HWH, claims there is absolutely no harm in leaving the jacks extended. These are hard chrome finished rams an not affected by weather. You may want to crawl under and wipe them off with a spray lube of some sort before retracting them in the spring but leaving them extended is perfectly acceptable.
See attached link below.

1

X12 on this Dennis! All the jack/tire questions are legible and see why folks ask. As far as the jack cylinder's..........being exposed........Next time you travel, even in your auto around your home, take a look at all the backhoes, dozers, garbage trucks, just about ant type of heavy equipment with hydraulic cylinders on them.........After being bought, they spend their entire life outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions from our east coast to the west coast, north and south also, all around the world for that matter..........
These cylinders are "Under" our Coach's...............And for the most part, protected from most all the elements that all those others I mentioned above are all exposed, and never a problem. They are made for a high grade material and have the finest chroming process done on them. Our one Ford backhoe is a 1967..........with all the OEM cylinders on it! Still works like a champ, and no leaks.............on the cylinders as they still look like new.
I have never put anything on mine as the cylinder by design(As all do) have a special wiper on them, before the seals............so I like mine just to operate as designed, applying nothing to them(Dust will stick, and you can't see it) and let the cylinder/wiper/seals do their job.
Has anyone ever seen a person wiping down the hydraulic cylinders with WD-40 on heavy equipment

I will venture to guess these cylinders will outlast any Coach they are on.
As far as lubing them cause they will not retract or slowly retract........I would be looking at a spring replacement.
(Not saying someone could not get a cylinder finishing with a bad finish job)

dennis45 · 12-29-2016, 05:03 PM

Has anyone ever seen a person wiping down the hydraulic cylinders with WD-40 on heavy equipment
I will venture to guess these cylinders will outlast any Coach they are on.
As far as lubing them cause they will not retract or slowly retract........I would be looking at a spring replacement.

Palehorse, you are right on. When I stated you may want to wipe them off, it was directed at others. You will not catch me crawling under my coach to wipe them off.