Leveling with front tires off the ground

[RKins]

I remember seeing some Baystars with their front tires off the ground, while at the Newmar rally at RV Supershow, Tampa. The last step off the steps was a doozy.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I am new to this RVing, my third trip out, I was on ground that was not level. I put wooden blocks under my back tires and Jack's. The back was much lower ground than the front. When retracting the jacks they all come up at the same time, I think. When I was retracting the jackets the rig moved forward about an inch, I bent one and broke one off completely. Keep in mind this was all my fault. I had taken the wooden blocks out from under the tires. By doing that the back tires are off the ground and now no emergency break!! I will never have my tires off the ground again. I have Lago blocks and will drive my rig on them along with Lago blocks up the Jack's.

Oh I feel that pain - When we were new to the RV a couple years ago, I did something similar, slightly bending one jack which rendered it unusable. Took a year to get the replacement part, then find someone qualified to do the work, get on the schedule and finally get it fixed. That was an expensive lesson.

Having been through that, we will always keep back tires on ground since they are the brake.

 

[Andre]

Oh I feel that pain - When we were new to the RV a couple years ago, I did something similar, slightly bending one jack which rendered it unusable. Took a year to get the replacement part, then find someone qualified to do the work, get on the schedule and finally get it fixed. That was an expensive lesson.

Having been through that, we will always keep back tires on ground since they are the brake.

I was able to order the Jack's, I removed the back Jack's reinstall them myself within about two weeks. We always keep a large selection of tools, we removed them at the campground. It was just one more lesson I have learned.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

This past May, I saw a Class C in Indian Point Campground jacked up so high and oddly that only one back tire was touching the ground. The front wheels were probably a foot up in the air.

 

[Gizmo]

When I was at Newmar I ask the repair tech about wheels off the ground and he smiled and said company policy says I have to tell you not to do it because it could cause bodily harm to you. Then I ask want has he had seen coaches coming in with damaged jacks. He said what he sees most often is people stacking 2X6 under the jacks and boards shifting and you should always use blocks that lock together. Also, he said the best policy is if you can level it without blocks under the jacks and move to a different site. I ask about the parking brakes on the rear axle and he said if you have air ride you have very little weight on the rear tires when level so the brakes are not very effective.

 

[J&JD]

I ask about the parking brakes on the rear axle and he said if you have air ride you have very little weight on the rear tires when level so the brakes are not very effective.

???

 

[Gizmo]

???

If you have airbags and let the air out before leveling the coach sits down on the stops and then when the jacks to level it lifts the coach off the stops even if only a 1 inch or so the only weight on the rear wheels is the weight of the tires and axles. The entire coach is being supported by the jacks.

 

[J&JD]

I might be mistaken, but if you leave the airbags at ride height and raise the coach with the jacks you still get about the same scenario. Virtually all the weight is transferred to the jacks regardless.

 

[Gizmo]

I might be mistaken, but if you leave the airbags at ride height and raise the coach with the jacks you still get about the same scenario. Virtually all the weight is transferred to the jacks regardless.

True, but you should let the air out of your airbags before leveling. My Discovery had a switch where I could dump the airbags but on the Newmar, the bags are dumped while the jacks are deploying.

 

[RKins]

I guess it depends on the brand of leveling system you have? I have HWH and when I auto level the first thing it does is dump the airbags.

 

[Rich W.]

I am new to this RVing, my third trip out, I was on ground that was not level. I put wooden blocks under my back tires and Jack's. The back was much lower ground than the front. When retracting the jacks they all come up at the same time, I think. When I was retracting the jackets the rig moved forward about an inch, I bent one and broke one off completely. Keep in mind this was all my fault. I had taken the wooden blocks out from under the tires. By doing that the back tires are off the ground and now no emergency break!! I will never have my tires off the ground again. I have Lago blocks and will drive my rig on them along with Lago blocks up the Jack's.

I might be mistaken, but if you leave the airbags at ride height and raise the coach with the jacks you still get about the same scenario. Virtually all the weight is transferred to the jacks regardless.

You are not mistaken - if you leave the air bags inflated, the jacks just have to extend more to do the job so the coach may not be as stable, but still ok. I like to extend the jacks as little as possible so I dump the bags first.

As for blocks, I carry 4x4 and 2x6 blocks but I dont stack them - I use one or the other. I agree that stacking blocks can create issues and most people don’t understand or use safe cribbing methods, so best not to do it. If you need that many blocks you should probably find somewhere else to park, or just live with being a little off level.

When in doubt, chock the wheels that are still on the ground, and even though the load is reduced on the rear axle when using the rear jacks, the rear wheels will still keep the coach from moving as long as they have good contact with the ground AND the parking brake is set; also trans in Park if you have that type of rig.

 

[Mac]

Hello, any advice on having the front tires off the ground after leveling? Is this ok?

I have camped since 1976 and have been on a few forums. one thing I know for sure if you even try to answer anyone there will be someone to say your wrong! so my advice is ask a mechanic, service technician or just another camper just dont ask in a group, everyone is trying to show how much they know. I have had my tires off the ground a more then once, never had a problem, Im on coach number 8 Newell 2010

 

[Rich W.]

I have camped since 1976 and have been on a few forums. one thing I know for sure if you even try to answer anyone there will be someone to say your wrong! so my advice is ask a mechanic, service technician or just another camper just dont ask in a group, everyone is trying to show how much they know. I have had my tires off the ground a more then once, never had a problem, Im on coach number 8 Newell 2010

This is a better forum than all the rest so you’ll probably find the question-and-answer process here much more user friendly. Enjoy!

 

[Jireh Financial]

I have camped since 1976 and have been on a few forums. one thing I know for sure if you even try to answer anyone there will be someone to say your wrong! so my advice is ask a mechanic, service technician or just another camper just dont ask in a group, everyone is trying to show how much they know. I have had my tires off the ground a more then once, never had a problem, Im on coach number 8 Newell 2010

Not really seeing anyone say "you are wrong". Forums are for OPINIONS, help, advise, community and several other good things. I have not seen anyone claim the title of EXPERT. Just like with anything worthwhile (like this forum) opinions can differ. Also things that apply to a Class A pusher are different than a 24ft tow behind. Have fun with the chatter and remember, the RV lifestyle and this forum are meant to be enjoyable not combative.
Let me know how we can help.
Thank you,
Ken

 

[JRS]

And NEVER open slides until you are level. Level first, then slides.
Ken

It depends on the make and model. At factory pickup we were taught to put the slides out (when bags are aired up) then level. When leaving air up the bags, bring the slides in and then lift the jacks. The slides on our rig is set up to work on the air bags.

 

[Jireh Financial]

It depends on the make and model. At factory pickup we were taught to put the slides out (when bags are aired up) then level. When leaving air up the bags, bring the slides in and then lift the jacks. The slides on our rig is set up to work on the air bags.

Good morning,
I said exactly that in my last comment. There is no rule that applies to every model. Our MH is a 2019 HR 35K Vacationer. The dealer and the manual say level first, then out with the slides. We leave the auto level system on until the slides are done coming out. That way anything that changes can be corrected before shutting it off. When we leave, the slides come in first then retract the jacks.
They are all a bit different.
Ken

 

[Gizmo]

It depends on the make and model. At factory pickup we were taught to put the slides out (when bags are aired up) then level. When leaving air up the bags, bring the slides in and then lift the jacks. The slides on our rig is set up to work on the air bags.

Here is Newmar saying how to deploy slides.

 

[Jireh Financial]

My Discovery said to level then deploy sides but my Newmar I have a warning letter from Newmar that states to check the gap on full wall slides then deploy slides and the last step is to level the coach. I always say to follow your manufacture's recommendation on deploying slides before or after leveling.

I leave my level system on until the slides are done. Any final needed adjustment is done after slides. Manufacturer for me said level first so that is what I do. As temperamental as those things can be, it makes sense (TO ME - NOT EVERYONE) that opening something with additional stress on one side over the other or uphill could add an issue. Before we leave, I bring slides in first, then retract the jacks.
Not all built the same I guess.
Ken

 

[Prucrew]

My Discovery said to level then deploy sides but my Newmar I have a warning letter from Newmar that states to check the gap on full wall slides then deploy slides and the last step is to level the coach. I always say to follow your manufacture's recommendation on deploying slides before or after leveling.

 

[Prucrew]

I agree…. My manual with my Holiday Rambler says slides first, level second.