I don’t think it really matters. We have a Bigfoot system on our New Horizons which will auto leve...but I can do it faster manually.  In general, taking the weight off of the wheels with the jacks will result in a more stable rig...but you don’t have to get them off the ground to do that...once the suspension starts unloading as the rig rises the jacks are carrying the weight. If you’ve only got 4 jacks...the rig might bow down a bit in the middle depending on frame stiffness, not an issue with our heavy NH frame but it’s why a lot of rigs have 6 jacks instead of 4. 

I always prefer my wheels to be "grounded."  If necessary, I carry a number of sections of heavy rubber cut from a barn stall mat that I can place under the wheels.  As mentioned earlier, if one also has the wheels "grounded," then there is more stability.  Besides, the more of the hydraulic cylinder ram that is out of the "housing" the more unstable the RV will be, so there are always blocks under our leveling jacks.

As for stability, I think that putting one of those X-type chock things between the tires on each side also increases stability by preventing the wheels from trying to roll.

Terry

Maybe we are putting too many orange squares under the jacks. We usually put 4-5 under each jack so the jacks don’t have to extend so far.

We have had this happen a few times with no issues. We have begun using the Andersen jack blocks (which look like upside-down red paint buckets), and offer about 8" of height. This causes our jack legs to extend less and reduces movement in the rig. While having your wheels off the ground is less than ideal, I have never worried about it, but this is just MO.

-- Edited by RonC on Monday 22nd of October 2018 07:41:14 AM

Cookie Dough wrote:

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We have a motor home, now in our second year of full timing. A year ago we were on a sloped site and our front end was off the ground, it worked. But now we try to have the wheels touch the ground. To us it feels more stable, less shaky. Personally I'm happy to learn that adding multiple blocks is a good thing, as I have begun to do that. Might consider getting some barn mats, like that too.

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With regards to the barn stall mats, below is a picture of my smaller pieces.  The mat itself is 3/4" think, and I cut the smaller pieces to be 8" wide by 1 foot long.  That is what you will see in the picture below.  While it isn't very apparent in the picture, one side of the mat is smooth while the other side is rough.  Since we have a fifth wheel, I also cut 3 pieces to be long enough for each one to be able to be under both wheels on one side.  I don't remember the length on those, and they are too much out of the way to dig out to measure.  Since you have a mobile home, you may not have dual axles, unless you have a good sized Class A.

One other thing is that because they are rubber, they do give some when driven up onto, plus, they might tend to twist a bit when driving up on it.  In my case, I usually use my Level-Up jacks to raise the wheels off the ground and then slip the mat(s) under the wheels and let them down.

Terry

Neil and Connie wrote:

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I don’t think it really matters. We have a Bigfoot system on our New Horizons which will auto leve...but I can do it faster manually.  In general, taking the weight off of the wheels with the jacks will result in a more stable rig...but you don’t have to get them off the ground to do that...once the suspension starts unloading as the rig rises the jacks are carrying the weight. If you’ve only got 4 jacks...the rig might bow down a bit in the middle depending on frame stiffness, not an issue with our heavy NH frame but it’s why a lot of rigs have 6 jacks instead of 4. 

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 X2  We have 4 jacks as the frame doesn't require 6. But we have wheels off the ground all the time.  Just not an issue.   We travel a great deal and it is just not unusual for one side to be much lower then the other an so have all wheels on one side off the ground.

We just have zero concern about having all wheels on one side off the ground.  The rig is sable with one side totally off the ground.  But some of this has to do with the frame and strength of the jacks.

FWIW, with the Big Foots we've changed all 6 tires at the same time without concern.  All within the ratings of the jacks and rig.

That's our report.

Bill

Lippert does NOT recommend (or warranty) their leveling system used to hold the trailer in the air or used in order to change a flat tire.
I just came from a 3 day training class up in Indiana, that was one of the things they taught. Tires are to be grounded.
1st thing I do when setting up in a site after I back in. Go to back of 5th.wh. put a level across to see left- right. If I staying long term I carry 2 2x12x5' boards that I'll put under the tires. Short term an depending how out of level, I carry same size 3/4' plywood to place under (more blocking if needed) low side. Once left-right is level, drop the Trl. an level frt-bck. Stay safe out there.