RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS

Topic: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT (Read 584 times) previous topic - next topic

RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

April 19, 2016, 01:24:38 am

I broke a main air line fitting on one of the front air tanks when ground debris rocked up from the front tire rolling over it when moving the coach and cracked it.
I could not air up the coach to raise it so I searched for a way to raise the front up high enough and SAFE enough to access the air tank to make repair.
When I looked under the front I spotted 2, what look like receiver hitches mounted on either side of the generator box.
I assume they are for pulling on, or towing.
Is my assumption correct?
If not, what is the purpose of these mounts.
Can these be used as a jacking point?
I would like to raise the front suspension (NOT OFF THE GROUND) high enough to crawl under so I could get my 20 ton jack under the front axle and raise it enough to place jack stands under the front axle so its safe to work on.
I put a 3 ton floor jacks under each receiver (2- 3 ton jacks).
I don't want to go any further till I can verify that these are a GOOD jacking points. REMEMBER, I don't intend to lift the entire front end off the ground, just raise the suspension enough to safely crawl under.

As always, thanks for your advice.

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #1 – April 19, 2016, 08:30:21 am

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – April 19, 2016, 01:24:38 am

When I looked under the front I spotted 2, what look like receiver hitches mounted on either side of the generator box.
I assume they are for pulling on, or towing.
Is my assumption correct?
If not, what is the purpose of these mounts.
Can these be used as a jacking point?

Lon,

Our coach came equipped with two "inserts" that fit into those two front receivers. (see photos) The PO told me he was told that they can be used to PUSH the coach around, in the event it was disabled. Mine are "virgin" - have never been used. I think I have read here on the Forum some posts about the FOT mechanics employing a similar device at their shops. In any case, the factory apparently designed those receivers to be used in a "pushing (or possibly pulling)" horizontal direction, so I'm not sure how strong they would be in a vertical lifting application.

If you can get to the receivers, then perhaps you can also reach the main frame member to which they are attached? I'm guessing that the actual frame would be a stronger (safer) place to lift with your jacks.

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #2 – April 19, 2016, 10:19:54 am

Our coach is a 36' older (much older) model than yours. But, I needed to raise the back end of the coach just a little bit for some reason I cannot recall. I placed a jack under the 2" receiver as far forward as possible. When I started jacking up the bumper and filler piece moved upwards--more than I liked to see.
These hitches are made for horizontal forces and NOT vertical. I think I could have seriously damaged something if I had continued.
I would think that, your coach being much bigger & heavier than ours, would likely bend even more.

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #3 – April 19, 2016, 10:47:29 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – April 19, 2016, 01:24:38 am

I broke a main air line fitting on one of the front air tanks when ground debris rocked up from the front tire rolling over it when moving the coach and cracked it.
I could not air up the coach to raise it so I searched for a way to raise the front up high enough and SAFE enough to access the air tank to make repair.

As always, thanks for your advice.

Lon,
I understand the "high enough"..
I understand that safety implies if/when the coach suddenly loses air in the air bags you won't get crushed when the suspension collapses.

Please explain where the danger is if the air line is damaged and the coach won't air up. Seems to me that the suspension has already dropped as far as it can.

Getting under the coach is another matter and really the thrust of the question.

I would think the floor jacks would break before the suspension, but I don't have to try it on my coach!!!!

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #4 – April 19, 2016, 10:56:23 pm

Can you still drive it up on blocks? Start with 2x's and work up until it is high enough to work on. I had the rear axle 14" up when doing my fuel lines.

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #5 – April 20, 2016, 12:08:22 am

Quote from: TheBrays – April 19, 2016, 10:47:29 pm

Lon,
I understand the "high enough"..
I understand that safety implies if/when the coach suddenly loses air in the air bags you won't get crushed when the suspension collapses.

Please explain where the danger is if the air line is damaged and the coach won't air up. Seems to me that the suspension has already dropped as far as it can.

Getting under the coach is another matter and really the thrust of the question.

I would think the floor jacks would break before the suspension, but I don't have to try it on my coach!!!!

I was referring to the danger of the coach falling if the jacking point fails and the only think holding the coach off me is the jack or jack stand.

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #6 – April 20, 2016, 12:09:54 am

Quote from: craneman – April 19, 2016, 10:56:23 pm

Can you still drive it up on blocks? Start with 2x's and work up until it is high enough to work on. I had the rear axle 14" up when doing my fuel lines.

This is probably the best solution.

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RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

April 19, 2016, 01:24:38 am

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #1 – April 19, 2016, 08:30:21 am

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #2 – April 19, 2016, 10:19:54 am

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #3 – April 19, 2016, 10:47:29 pm

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #4 – April 19, 2016, 10:56:23 pm

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #5 – April 20, 2016, 12:08:22 am

Re: RECIEVER TYPE MOUNTS - UP FRONT

Reply #6 – April 20, 2016, 12:09:54 am

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