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08-10-2017, 08:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 721
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Leveling a tag axle with Ramps
We are moving from a single rear axle to a tag axle. When parked at our house to keep it moderately leveled we back it up onto a ramp made by 2x10's. I have attached a picture. My question is what additional blocking or supports will I need? Do I need to extend it to be under the tag axle or is supporting the drive wheels good enough?
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08-11-2017, 07:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Somewhere On the Road
Posts: 1,213
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Best practice is to block up all the wheels / axles relatively close to each other. You might also consider going to 2X12s to get a better footprint. When you're backing a tag if you're not 'dead-straight' onto the boards one of the axle tire sets may be off to the left or right of the board a bit.
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Steve
2015 Itasca Ellipse QD | 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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08-11-2017, 08:23 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ & Plover, WI
Posts: 6,403
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Most drive and tag axle suspensions are controlled by proportioning valves. What that means is that they will attempt to carry the same percentage of weight on level and uneven ground. If the difference in height of the ramp to the ground does not exceed the distance that the proportioning valves can adjust to, then you would be fine with what you have now. Keep in mind too, that when backing up many tag suspensions dump or reduce the air in the suspension. They will generally re-inflate 15 minutes after shutdown. If you dump the air for storage, then the proportioning valves are out of play and the weight will be mostly on the drive axle anyway.
As another option, why not bring in some road mat gravel and create a level area for the coach to sit on? Then no worries with the boards moving when the tag rolls over them.
Edit: After a second look at your picture, the height is more than the prop valves could adjust to. I would recommend either longer ramps or fill it in and make a solid RV pad.
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2006 Monaco Executive 44 Denali
2013 43 QGP Allegro Bus ( SOLD )
2013 Avalanche
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08-11-2017, 09:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 1,797
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First, I don't know I just think; all six wheels should be supported. It's not good for the suspension to have wheels hang in the air. Also not supporting the inside duals puts a big strain on the axle and outside tires.
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Jeanie, Ed & Slade the GSD(RIP)
Cape Cod, MA
2017 Entegra Aspire RBQ & Silverado Crew or GC
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08-11-2017, 09:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 2,706
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My concern would be for the tires as well. They are designed to distribute the coach's weight over 6 tires in the rear. If only 4 are carrying the load then you just over-rated the tires which could cause a failure.
Comments on strain on the suspension system are also of concern.
I agree with the suggestion of leveling the coach pad, either with stone or a concrete pad, even if just for the rear 6 tires.
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Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
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08-11-2017, 10:42 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 721
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thanks everyone, thats what I suspected but I didn't want to over think it. I will build a ramp to support both sets of tires.
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2011 American Coach, American Eagle 45B with 650hp ISX on a Liberty Chassis K3 with two Vizsla's and two cats.....
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08-11-2017, 10:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Be sure the ramp is wide enough to support the full width of the tire tread. My front and tag tires are 365/70 and are just over 14" wide at the tread.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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08-11-2017, 11:45 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 721
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The ramps I have now are 2x10 staggered with 45 deg cut into the face of each. There is one under each wheel and at the top they are connected with a piece of 3/4" plus wood. I may just put a 18" 4x4 retaining wall in and level off with gravel. I can back up easy enough but trying to stop dead center on the pad is tricky.
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2011 American Coach, American Eagle 45B with 650hp ISX on a Liberty Chassis K3 with two Vizsla's and two cats.....
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08-11-2017, 11:52 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ & Plover, WI
Posts: 6,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark D
The ramps I have now are 2x10 staggered with 45 deg cut into the face of each. There is one under each wheel and at the top they are connected with a piece of 3/4" plus wood. I may just put a 18" 4x4 retaining wall in and level off with gravel. I can back up easy enough but trying to stop dead center on the pad is tricky.
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Good idea. You will be much happier with that plan. Good Luck
__________________
2006 Monaco Executive 44 Denali
2013 43 QGP Allegro Bus ( SOLD )
2013 Avalanche
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