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Topic: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway. (Read 611 times) previous topic - next topic

Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

 Hello to all.

 My driveway slopes down and to one side.
I have built ramps and leveled the front and rear axles.
Coach still slopes down in rear slightly.
Is there a way to block between chassis frame and the coach frame and then dump the air bags.
I have read about using 2x2  1/4 steel tubing for maintenance safety and storage but no info as to where to put it.
Just want to make sure when it is stored the frame or body is not twisted or torqued.
She's a beauty and I want to do the right thing and not cause any damage.
Any help from your experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Robert








Robert
95 U280 Grand Villa

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #1 –
If you block under the tires to get within 7" of level the auto level system will level the rest.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #2 –
Quote from: ROADSTAR04 –
Is there a way to block between chassis frame and the coach frame and then dump the air bags.
I have read about using 2x2  1/4 steel tubing for maintenance safety and storage but no info as to where to put it.
You are referring to what we call "Safety Stands" around the Forum.  They can be made from a variety of materials, but most prefer to use steel tubing.  One source of "already cut and powder coated" steel tubing sections is Harbor Freight.  They sell weld-on receiver tubes that just happen to be the perfect size and length.  You can often find them on sale at your local store for under $10 each.  To support the whole coach evenly, it is generally suggested that you use 1 stand at each air bag (2 per corner, 4 per end, 8 total).

https://www.harborfreight.com/class-iii-12-in-x-2-in-standard-receiver-tube-69879.html

If your air suspension system is working properly, you should be able to raise the coach up high enough to insert 12" long safety stands.  Of course, if you were simply trying to take the weight off the air bags for long term storage, you could make the tubes a shorter length.

Around 8-9 inches long would support the coach at approximately normal ride height.

As far where to place the stands...it's kinda hard to explain.  They go between the suspension member and the frame, just inside where the air bag is mounted.  You essentially want the safety stand to hold up the same weight being supported by the air bag.

My coach is up on the stands right now.  I can post some good photos later today.  It is 12 degrees here this morning, and I'm not going outside until it warms up a bit.

OK, I manned up and stepped outside to snap a couple photos.  They show the stand placed next to the front bag on a front corner, because these are the easiest to see.  All of the safety stands go in the same relative position next to each air bag.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #3 –
And the thing to not run out of level is the absorption refrigerator.  Doing so will quickly kill it and also present a fire hazard.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #4 –
I used a string level and some string to establish the height of my leveling ramp.
I wedged the string under the highest rear tire and then held the string tight up by the center of the lower front tire. Keep the line tight, read the level and kept moving the line until the level bubble was centered. The distance from the tight string to the center of the front tire was the height I needed to make my ramp. I did the same for the other side of the coach.
I back our coach in and our blacktop driveway slopes down and to the driver's side so the coach front is low and tipped to one side so I made my ramps to compensate.
Now, when I put the coach on the (correct) ramps my levels in the coach show perfectly level. ^.^d
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #5 –
To All.

You all are terrific. With the information provided I believe I can accomplish what I set out to do.
Just want to make sure I didn't do something that would keep the coach in a twisted or torqued position.
I sure do appreciate all the info.  Thank you.
Robert
Robert
95 U280 Grand Villa

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #6 –
I made four ramps from 6x6 treated cutoffs.  Use one under each tire. Two in front or all four in the rear.  It gets you an extra 5-1/2" of lift.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #7 –
If I recall correctly, because of our driveway slope, I made the passenger side ramp 4.25" and the driver's side ramp 4.56" high.
Sets kind of level, huh?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Storing my U280 on sloping driveway.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
And the thing to not run out of level is the absorption refrigerator.  Doing so will quickly kill it and also present a fire hazard.
If you're not running the refrigerator it doesn't need to be level.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.