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Topic: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells (Read 760 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

I know we have talked about this and some have built spacers to avoid this on the frame stops but I have one more question. When I dump or auto level, it will set the rear tires on the upper wheel well shroud. I don't understand how that would be normal for FT to build it that way. Do I have an issue with something else? Ride height is correct at 8.5 inches in travel mode. I just don't want to damage my new panels I placed to repair the previous owners damage again.
Thanks
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #1 –
In my opinion, based on my reading here on this Forum and what my coach does, I would say you are seeing "normal" behavior by your coach.
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: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #2 –
Quote
I don't understand how that would be normal for FT to build it that way.

Me neither. Just seems like a dumb design. The three that I have had all did the same thing.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #3 –
What is above the wheels is a thin piece of plastic, above that foam, above that the plywood floor.  There is also some square metal tube frame below the floor and the foam fills the cavities between the tubes. There is no tubing where the tires touch the plastic. Although the tires touch the plastic when the air springs are fully deflated the weight of the coach is supported by the stops on the suspension.  No need to be concerned about the tires touching the plastic.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #4 –
When Foretravel got rid of the hydraulic jack system, they engineered the coach to sit on the tires. Jacks take the rocking out of the coach as you use it. The coach sitting on the tires replaces this feature. Normal and supposed to be that way. All 4 corners will come down.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #5 –
I try to park with the front on the high side of the area I am parking. Then lower the front to touch tires then hit auto level. Makes it easier to get in and out the door.
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: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #6 –
On extra unlevel surfaces slanted to one side in the front the force from one side tire hitting the floor from underneath and applying the force for an extended period can twist the body shell and move the windshield out of the molding creating a gap causing wind noise.

The 99's and up I understand have a small circle welded on the suspension to eliminate the contact. 

 Mine twists and I have had to have the tension strips removed several times and the windshields  moved back into the moldings

My x Foretravel Line mechanic mentioned he has tied coaches down to floor hooks and hydraulically twisted coaches back to true many times
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
The 99's and up I understand have a small circle welded on the suspension to eliminate the contact. 



Not sure if they are the same circles you are referencing, but our 1997 has small circles welded to the frame near the place where I place the safety blocks.
40ft 1997 U320

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #8 –
"My x Foretravel Line mechanic mentioned he has tied coaches down to floor hooks and hydraulically twisted coaches back to true many times ".   
  Oh terrific,, how do we know if our coach needs that ?
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #9 –
Ok. Super info and now I know what is happening and that it really is a flaw in the design as far as I'm concerned. I will use it accordingly
Thanks again, I was worried
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #10 –
My former U295 had a lot of wheel wheel damage - rubbed completely through - because the previous own didn't wait for the air compressor pop-off before releasing the parking brake and putting it in gear.  Personally, I will never release the brake until I hear it while I'm outside of the coach.

 When the air pressure alarm shuts off, there is NOT enough air to raise it to ride height.

A Freightliner shop in Phoenix released the park brake and moved my U295 the moment the air pressure alert shut off and jammed the driveshaft into the transmission housing and broke the P3 gearset.  As you can probably imagine, that cost me a LOT.

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #11 –
The oem Koni red top  shocks required a half turn adjustment to compensate for its internal wear every 25k Miles and a rebuild at 100k.  Bilsteins were softer to start with. The body roll caused the wheel wheel damage.  The outer area is more worn than the inner.  Body roll.

I twisted many grand villas and  unihomes off road enough to break the glass and/or pop the windshield's out of the molding.

Especially like the manual leveling on the early unihomes.  Could make those coaches do tricks.

I used to leave a coach on my lot in the back row slanted to one side.

Customers used to poke their beady little heads in our office to tell us that our coach was having troubles.

Really?  Well let's go look at it...........trap sprung. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #12 –
The PO replaced with gold Koni's before I bought it?
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
The PO replaced with gold Koni's before I bought it?
Thank him if you haven't already.
 
Just sayin'.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #14 –
My Koni FSD's are fairly soft dampening in rolling rough roads at speed.  Anyone else noticed this.  The Texas road today into Terlingua was full of rolling bumps.  Could have use a little more low speed compression dampening
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: Rear tires set on upper wheel wells

Reply #15 –
After reading this topic I modified our parking pad to almost dead level using horse stall mats cut to various sizes.
Thinking that using the coach to hold the tire covers on vs rolling around on the ground would be awesome.
Parked, placed the tire covers on and dumped the air.

Ours doesn't quite sit on the tires, covers are snug but movable, you could work them off.

Normal for a 93? according to what I read here, no.
Modified by one of the PO's? maybe.
Factory custom? no way to know.
Just another FYI to seemingly similar coaches.
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335