I searched pretty hard and didn't find an answer so...
I am going to Colorado in a couple of weeks to pick up a well used 96 36' U270. One of the questions I have is if I am going to be able to get it into my driveway. I was able to get my 26.5 gas class A in it but I am pretty sure I will have to raise the front and back end of the 36' to deal with the slope at the transition from road to driveway.
Does someone have a good idea of how much angle I can overcome with the air bags?
I have an alternative place to park the coach but it's going to get a bit ugly if I can't get it up the driveway to my house so I can turn around.
It depends on your situation, Regular aprons are no problem and you don't have to raise the coach. Some crowned streets might make it where you have to raise it. A more common problem for me is width of street and width of apron, I have to go over the curb with my left front wheel to enter my driveway. I use some wood to make it a 2 step. Nothing drags though.
Super tough question to answer without actually trying it. My neighbor had the same problem with a fifth wheel. If it's close, a couple of planks might be enough to make the difference. How about a photo? Not saying anyone could give an answer but it might be good for guesses. :) The ten foot difference in lengths is a lot.
Pierce
add picture of drive entry...
If I knew how high off the ground the front and back of the coach will get I can figure it out.
The sloped part of the driveway is about 45' and the elevation change is about 12'.
The attached picture shows the driveway and the old 26.5' gas coach. It is a pretty old shot as none of our landscape work over the last 8 or 9 years is in it.
I need to know how far the back end hangs out past the rear wheels as well.
Give Joe a call, I'm sure he will measure for you
Like others, suggest boards at the transition to lessen the angle.
"I need to know how far the back end hangs out past the rear wheels as well." I think our previous 94/U225 from center of the rear tire to edge of the bumper was 11,5". I had struggled with the same issue. I had to build a ramp. Picture attached.
http://www.foreforums.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=3312
Using 11.5 feet as the overhang and doing some measurements on the driveway I will need to be able to get the lowest point in the back 42" off the ground for it to not rub going in the driveway. My guess is there won't be enough height adjustment to get there though I don't know that yet. I sent my calculations off to an engineer friend to see if he agrees with my math.
Once I know how much I need to add to the height of the rear wheels I will build a stepped ramp to add the extra height to the rear wheels.
So my engineer friend who tends to have a lot of common sense suggested I just build a quick jig to test if the coach would get in the driveway. I got the ride height, and length past the rear wheels from the current owner. The wheel base came from the specifications page.
I put one cement block with enough wood on top to match the ride height in the front and set it on the driveway. I measured off the wheelbase and put another one set to the rear ride height there. Took a string and pulled a straight line past the bottom block as far as the coach hangs over the rear wheels. Not even close to hitting. Checked it in a few other positions with the same result.
Things are starting to line up. Got a good insurance quote today, bought a plane ticket, started making a list of what I need to bring with me. I talked to the local DMV about a temporary plate, they said it was easy
Friday the 26th can't come soon enough.
Long ago i installed heavy duty roller wheels under the rear of most ftx's
I am a new foretravel owner and I need help learning about the coach. The one I just purchased in a 1994. I am responding here i n hopes to get some direction because I am also learning this forum stuff.
Thanks,
Steve
Be careful when turning into a sloped surface you don't get too much of a twist. Front windshields can crack and or pop out. Easy does it.