Paul and Jo wrote:

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Was wondering if these were neccessary on a 2011 Montana since it has hydraulic front jacks and powered stabilizers in the rear. Yes, it's not automatic but I think the only other thing I need is a spirit level.

On the changing tires ... can't recall seeing a jack on the Montana so, not quite sure how I'm going to be doing that.


Paul

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Paul:

Excellent point and question: "Necessary" - probably not.  However, "powered stabilizers” are just that – they help keep the rig from “rocking.”   They, however, can’t actually lift the rig, in most cases, enough to level it side to side; especially if you need more than about a inch or so.  We had two sets of “heavy duty” stabilizers on the rig. They wouldn’t “level” the rig; just not strong enough – either by lifting specification or in reality.

Yea, you can change tires with a jack, or by running the "good" tire up on a block thus trying to raise the one with the flat off the ground.  But either way, it isn't very easy or - in some cases if done wrong - safe - even if we've all "done it for years without trouble."

If you didn't travel much, or if physcial issues for someone were not a problem (they're not for me,) you probably wouldn't go to the expense of Big Foots.  But a lot of motorhomes have "real" leveling systems and 5'ers are getting them now - some now OEM provided.

Again, just my 2 cents and experience "depending" on what works best for each RV'er and thier specific situation and desires.

George and Ken:

Yea, you’re kind of proving my point as far as safety is concerned when you change a tire on the side of the road.  MOR-ryde’s Independent Suspension has even more travel than the Trail-Air and MOR-ryde’s rubber between the springs system.  So you have to use a bottle jack, and that means boards, crawling, sort of, under the rig to position the jack, etc.  Just not something I would care to do on the side of the road – especially if the rig where not level.

Safe travels

Bill

mailman01 wrote:

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You can use a bottle jack under the spring hangar?  That would make access a little easier, however, I have been advised that the ONLY acceptable placement for the jack is under the frame.  The hangar location does look very tempting but I am just a little apprehensive about putting the weight of the trailer on that hangar...Just a thought.  Bigfoot would certainly make lifting the unit a lot easier and safer.  

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Right, you “can” put a bottle jack under the spring hanger, but IMO you shouldn’t.  That’s just tempting a bigger problem when the rig somehow slides off the jack – especially if the flat tire is off the lugs.  The frame should always be used.If you understood me to say anything other than a bottle jack under the frame, that was not my intention.

I think we would all agree on this: Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it is particularly safe.

Safe travels

Bill

HI Bill,

I realize this is an old post but hopefully it will still reach you. I was wondering about how your Big Foots are doing with only 4 points supported on your rig?  These Escalades are quite heavy and long.  We do have the 18" frame.  You also mentioned getting them installed by someone who knows the MORryde system.  I will have to check and see who that might be out here in the Seattle area.

We just purchased a beautiful used 2007 40' Escalade REB and although we don't move much I am looking for more stability and a safer way to get the tires off full the full weight load. We are full timers but we won't be moving more than once a year since I don't have a truck and we are not yet retired.

The Level Up System is only installed back east so they are out.

I was thinking of putting some JT Strong Arm Stabilizers on the front and rear but the front underbelly is fully enclosed so I don't see how they would install.  I could put them on the rear which were we get most of our movement.

Anyway, we just love our new Esclade. We are coming from a 33' Itasca Suncruiser which is a great coach but this is like moving from a van into a luxury one bedroom condo.....sweet!

Keith and Elaine -- The Caravellis

Keith:

Yep, I got it, and welcome to the Escalade club.  Too bad these wonderful and extremely well built rigs are no longer available in the same form your 2007 was built.  18” frames indeed; very strong according to the unsolicited comments from the technician at MOR-ryde who works on a lot of trailers.  We took ours to the Arctic Ocean, Inuvik, NWT, Canada actually, and it performed sooo much better than some other rigs.  And we were so glad we had the Big Foot’s. You just don’t know how much easier they made the trip allowing us to level even when still hitched to the truck.  They’ll be just fine on the 40’ REB.

BTW, the comment was not about the installer knowing the MOR-ryde system, it was that MOR-ryde, in Elkhart, as the installer of the Big Foots will, IMO, do a superior job for a number of reasons.  But that’s a long way for you.  I understand.

The “4 point,” lift of the Big Foots, as opposed to “6 point” that some manufactures offer, has somewhat less to do with stability and a bit more to do with warranties; at least according to the factory rep. The control system on the 6 point is limited as to what it can “do” and thus if a ham fisted owner punches the wrong button too long it is harder to bend the frame with the somewhat more limited control system.  There is nothing inherently wrong with the 6 point, far from it. If you want to know more about this please PM me.

As to stabilizing the rig, please remember “stable” is a relative term to different people.  If any weight to speak of is left on the suspension system the rig will move a bit. Also, the frame has to “give” just a little.  They have to or they would break when they run down the road.  If you want a totally rock stable rig you have to do what “Mobile Homes” do.  Support the frame in many places (not just 6) with blocks and get the weight totally off the wheels.

I have changed the tires, all four at once, more than once for various maintenance reasons. Actually, did that just last week.  It is a zero problem with the Big Foots.  Be glad to show you the pictures.

If you install the Big Foots I recommend not removing the front landing gear or the factory “stabilizers” at the rear of the coach. Keeping them gives you 8 points of contact and will improve stability even more.  The Big Foots carry almost all of the weight in this case, but the additional 4 points of contact dampen out additional coach motion. There is plenty of room, even with a generator, to install the Big Foot jacks in the Escalade basement well behind the factory landing gear.  Also the Big Foot system doesn’t have hydraulic lines to run all over the place as they are self contained.  This, IMO, makes for an easier retro fit installation such as on your Escalade.

Keith, if you want some additional information, including about Escalade factory service if ever required, please PM me via this site and we’ll talk.  It is a great rig, well built, and if you take care of it should last a good long time.  Ours has just shy of 60,000 logged miles on it and it is still going strong.  We leave tomorrow for a 5,000 mile trip to Arizona.

Hope this helps a bit.

Bill