Auto Level System on MotorHome Tires off the ground - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Travelin Duo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Auto Level System on MotorHome Tires off the ground

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

Geeze, you sure are on some uneven pavement...

Not a problem - sometimes a wheel will be off the ground after leveling.

Make sure to fully close the slides before you retract the jacks.
Likewise, you should level before you open the slides.
Basically, you do not want to alter the leveling of the rig (and possibly torque the slide mechanisms) with a slide extended.

And don't forget to go out and look at each jack after the light says "stowed" and confirm that all are retracted as part of your departure check.

-- Edited by RVDude at 21:13, 2007-08-22

Travelin Duo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jeff
Thanks
You are right...we are on uneven driveway.
It goes down hill and we're so bloody long for the driveway we have both front tires up in the air.
Thanks for the advice on retracting them also.
Was not sure if it was safe or good for the jacks ....to have the tires off the ground like that.
Just needed to pack it up as we go on our maiden voyage this Friday with it.
We have the Brake buddy and the tow hitch all set and picked it up today and towed the VW convertible home.
We were really excited.
Until.......the front tires were up off the ground... weirdface

hee hee
OOPs! Better get on the forum Quick

and see if we're going to do harm.
So many things to learn...
Thanks a bunch.
What a pest I am, but do not know what we'd do without the great people on this forum. We really appreciate all your help.
Arlene aww

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hope you enjoy the trip, Jeff!

One caution about having tires off the ground using the leveling jacks-

It is not advisable to have the rear tires off the ground as the parking brakes only activate the rear brakes, and the coach could be unstable in certain conditions with the rear wheels off the ground.

Enjoy!

Charles

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have this happen when we visit our Son, and park in his driveway.

If you're uncomfortable with the front wheels off of the ground, or the coach seems to move around, drive the front wheels up on some boards before leveling the unit. Even though there will not be a lot of weight on the front tires, it seems to help stabilize the coach.

-- Edited by Jim01 at 06:16, 2007-08-23

Travelin Duo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you again
That reassures me.
Trying to hurry and get things into the coach before our company arrives today.
They will be staying here in our home for over two weeks, and we will not be here for two weekends of that time.
Makes it nice for them as they have two college age boys who will like the time here with some privacy.
They were coming to stay in hotels in our area, and we told them to stay with us, but we would be away on the two weekends for long weekends and that would probably be great for them too.
They were happy for the chance, and that makes it nice.
They are cousins, and have not seen them for two years.
So trying to get things organized for them as well as the motor home for us.
That is why I guess I got stressed with the tires up in the air!
BUT...needless to say ...we are still excited.
Looking forward to both their visit and our weekend get a way in the new MH.
Thanks so much to all of you.
You're the best!
Arlene aww

D and J · RV-Dreams Family Member

Arlene,

One other thing you might need to watch out for when you bring wheels off the ground. depending on the quality of the driveway, you might actually sink your pads into the pavement.

When my mother used to park her Safari in our (poorly designed) driveway, she used to have to put down 2 pieces of 2 X 10 next to each other to spread out the load on my driveway.

Doug

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good point D&J... Putting jack divets in a driveway can happen easily with a heavy class A even w/o pulling the wheels off the ground. I would suggest never jacking in someone else's driveway and be especially careful about concrete drives as many residential concrete drives can crack just by driving a class A on it. Residential drives are simply not designed for 20,000lbs axle loads.

While using 2x10's will work work they still flex under loads unlike these jack plates which I use anytime I am in doubt and especially at gravel campgrounds. For your heavy class A I'd suggest this style available at
Summit Products or DICA
18x20%20UHMW%20handle%20r2.jpg

And NOT the yellow or orange plastic waffle type commonly available
Cheap%20jack%20pad%202.JPG

-- Edited by RVDude at 10:09, 2007-08-23

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Two extra points:
1) If you do drive up on blocks with your tires make sure the entire width of the tire is supported or you can warp the treads and that is not a good thing.
2) If you need to drive up on blocks in the back wheels you need to block all four tires not just two.

Bill

Travelin Duo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks
I went to the sites you sent Jeff, and saved them in my favorites to look into, and they look great.
We have company, but I just wanted to get back to you and everyone to say thanks.
We've been so hectic like everyone with the company and the MH, and Arlene has been on here getting info from all of you.
Appreciate all the help.

I did bring in my slides and then lifted the jacks and proceeded with the 2x10's
under the front tires, and made sure the tires were centered.
Only for tonight as we leave tomorrow for the weekend.
Hello and goodbye to our company.
Thanks again everyone.
Larry

Travelin Duo · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:

Two extra points:
1) If you do drive up on blocks with your tires make sure the entire width of the tire is supported or you can warp the treads and that is not a good thing.
2) If you need to drive up on blocks in the back wheels you need to block all four tires not just two.

Bill

Bill
Thanks
I am now on the blocks and the entire width is supported.
Larry

Happytrails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Help me out with this topic - we were told to never have our tires off the ground. The jacks are for leveling and not for support. We have not had that problem as of yet but it could come up some time. Please clarify this for us. Thanks so much!!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our chassis manufacturer, Spartan, our motorhome manufacturer, Newmar, and our automatic jacks company, HWH, all say it is OK to raise the wheels off the ground. HWH says the jacks are rated to do it and the chassis and motorhome are stiff enough to not warp. Maybe Monaco/Holiday Rambler isn't so sure.
If you have only a single front jack you can warp the chassis and pop out or loosen your windshield. with tires off the ground.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

A point of clarification. If the AUTO LEVEL lifts the wheels that is fine. The component manufacturers will OK this situation as it is normal and the auto level will keep the frame from twisting. You might call your rig manufacturer and confirm this. You should NOT use the jacks in MANUAL mode to lift a wheel off the ground as that can twist the frame or excessively side load a jack. Most importantly, NEVER EVER use the jacks to lift the vehicle to crawl under it. If you haven't seen how fast a vehicle will come crashing down if a hydraulic line should break you are in for a very big surprise. Note how fast they come down using the controlled "store" mode. Now, multiply that speed if there is a hydraulic failure. Let’s be safe out there.

Happytrails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks BJoyce and RVDude, I have never asked Monaco directly, I am only quoting what another camper told me. We have the four jacks and our system is also HWH. I was camping (first time with this motorhome) and one rear wheel was maybe 2 inches off the ground and this camp host came by and told me I shouldn't have it off the ground and really made a BIG deal about it. I thought I had broken the cardinal rule of parking a motorhome.
Thanks for your information and clarification. We have the Roadmaster chassis, which is a substantial chassis, so I believe your information is more accurate. Thanks!

mikeway · RV-Dreams Family Member

Having your REAR wheels off the ground is never a good thing. When you apply the parking brake, it only works on the rear wheels. So with one rear wheel off the ground and without some serious front wheel blocking, instability is a strong possibility.

I am pretty sure that Newmar or Spartan or Monaco will tell you that. If you have the HWH air and hydraulic system, use the air in those situations since the air will not lift a wheel off the ground.

That being said, I sit in a campground where I am air leveled, all wheels solidly planted and the 2 motor homes down from me have their fronts off the ground. One is blocked, jack and wheel and one is not.

Watch your rear wheels though.

Mike