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Topic: Safety block length (Read 1263 times) previous topic - next topic

Safety block length

While I have read it here in the past I can't seem to locate it now.  I thought I remembered the standard size being 2" square tubing 12" long.  And you needed 4 to a coach.  One on each corner.
What I am finding today seems to be 11" tall rather than 12".  I dont want to have them cut to 12" to find out they are an inch to long.  Does the year or model coach make a difference in the lenght?
Jerry
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Safety block length

Reply #1 –
Jerry, if you go to the sticky thread about working safely on your Foretravel, page 2, you will find a post from JD Stevens. That post shows the nice safety stands that he had made. Yes, they are more expensive than a block of wood or 11" length of steel, but will work in most situations.

Re: Safety block length

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Green99 –
While I have read it here in the past I cant seem to locate it now.  I thought I remembered the standard size being 2" square tubing 12" long.  And you needed 4 to a coach.  One on each corner.
What I am finding today seems to be 11" tall rather than 12".  I dont want to have them cut to 12" to find out they are an inch to long. 
Jerry
I had originally had mine cut to 11" but I could have fit 12"
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Safety block length

Reply #3 –
11" works great on my '99 U320.

Re: Safety block length

Reply #4 –
I had read many of the posts on the subject and ordered 4 of the 2" x 12" hitch extensions from Harbor Freight.  Their price had just been reduced to $12.99 ea. plus tax and shipping $52/for 4.
This link is not the same part, but should work just fine.
2" to 1-1/4" Hitch Adapter

There should be a photo attached of the ones I bought which were just straight 2" box tubing.
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Safety block length

Reply #5 –
Thanks all for the info.  I like the hitch extensions with the broader base. While it is not alot wider I would think it would still be a help.  Probably buy those as cheap as having squre tubing cut.
This forum is such a great source for information.  It is great that so many people are willing to share their knowledge.
Thanks again.
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Safety block length

Reply #6 –
Jerry,
I would caution you that while one per corner will elevate the coach, one per airbag is a whole lot better. When you have just 4 in the the farthest corners, you are stretching one air bag while compressing the other on the same axle. In the rear, because of the suspension's trailing arms connected to the bulkhead joint area, this tries to pull apart the bulkhead joint when the rear is blocked on the front most corner (conversely, it will push the joint together when the block is in the rear most corner). Simply put, downward force on the "H" frame in front of a rear wheel tries to pull the joint apart. Aft of the rear wheel, the opposite is true. When you have a block next to each airbag, you eliminate the unequal forces acting on the joint as well as on the airbags that you have with just one block per wheel. A healthy bulkhead joint would probably not be adversely affected, but if there are issues... Well, no need to go there! Just my experience...
Don

Quote from: Green99 –
While I have read it here in the past I cant seem to locate it now.  I thought I remembered the standard size being 2" square tubing 12" long.  And you needed 4 to a coach.  One on each corner.
?
Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Safety block length

Reply #7 –
I use structural aluminum pipe, 1.91 OD, 1.61 ID, 6.5 inches long. I place them on the metal donuts that are welded to the lower part of the suspension, inboard of the tires. These aluminum pipes are lighter and shorter then steel square tubes placed close to the airbags. I use a fireplace tool to set them in place. I also use 1/4 inch thick, 2 inch square pieces of aluminum to adjust the length when parked on a slope. My driveway at home has a slope such that when the coach is level, the front airbags are dumped, while the rear airbags are raised to the max. If I put four 6.5 inch pipes in the rear without spacers, all the weight is on the front pipes while the rear pipes are loose.





Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Safety block length

Reply #8 –
OK Don, If I get this correctly...........and actually I 'think' I get it..

If using these steel uprights to support the coach, you recommend using (2) upright steel box tubes per corner in the aft end. Yes?

What if I used a 2" x 4" piece of lumber as the second support back there...?  any problems for short term use?  Or a couple of those wood pieces on end?

This stuff is available anywhere.
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Safety block length

Reply #9 –
I typed a detailed long reply to your question... Tried to attach pictures and post, but the server ate it! I don't have the patience to attempt it again, but I will say that I will only use steel frame blocks and I will always use four per axle or one per air spring. I want to keep the forces of gravity working on the suspension in the same direction the suspension was designed to handle it. That's just me, others may well have other ideas about it.
Don
Quote from: MemoryRoads –
OK Don, If I get this correctly...........and actually I 'think' I get it..

If using these steel uprights to support the coach, you recommend using (2) upright steel box tubes per corner in the aft end. Yes?

What if I used a 2" x 4" piece of lumber as the second support back there...?  any problems for short term use?  Or a couple of those wood pieces on end?

This stuff is available anywhere.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Safety block length

Reply #10 –
 Memory, I would use a piece of 4x4 with the steel pipe each corner if I were you. It is a little bit more stable than a 2x4, and make sure the grain is going the length not across.
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Safety block length

Reply #11 –
I've been using four, 4x4x12" and work fine. Will change to steel sometime in the future.
 Richard B.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Safety block length

Reply #12 –
What is the advantage of using such long barcing versus maybe 6 inches long?
Harold Charlson
1992 U280 4133
Round Top, TX

Re: Safety block length

Reply #13 –
Quote from: hcharlson –
What is the advantage of using such long barcing versus maybe 6 inches long?
I need the the extra room to get my belly under the coach.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Safety block length

Reply #14 –
My short 6.5 inch pipes are easier to store than 12 inch long four by fours. They are more difficult to install because I have to reach way past the tires, rather then just past the airbags. The coach is blocked at the top of the travel with either, 12 inch blocks beside the airbags or my 6.5 inch pipes on the donuts.




Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Safety block length

Reply #15 –
Quote from: rbark –
I've been using four, 4x4x12" and work fine. Will change to steel sometime in the future.
 Richard B.
The compressive strength Douglas fir 4 x 4's is approximately 7000 psi. Enough such that when using four of these may be sufficient to support the coach works even during extended periods. That's 64 times 7000 lbs.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Safety block length

Reply #16 –
It's interesting how something seemingly simple, can have so many viewpoints.  Love it!

Don, I too had written 3 times before the server or ?? stopped 'eating my posts and photos'.  What's with that/really annoying?

I try to read, learn and get on with things, so would rather load my coach less(no 4x4's and would truthfully rather not have heavy steel, etc. but.........)  what Wyatt has..Aluminum tubes with substantial strength, but in 12" lengths is certainly appealing.  However, it's another 'project'.

So... Wyatt.... or another... is there an online site for this Aluminum tubing/cut to length etc. at reasonable cost?  this would be a Time saver and must have item to carry down in the gut of the coach for who knows when. 

Until then, my steel box tubes, bought with the click of my thumb/online/ shipped to my door/already cut, painted and boxed.

I'm learning to love simplicity.            :)

Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Safety block length

Reply #17 –
I purchased the aluminum pipe from a scrap bin at an aluminum boat manufacturer in Sooke, BC (near Victoria).
I cut them to 6.5 inches on a compound miter saw with a carbide blade (very similar to cutting fir 2x4).


Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada
 

Re: Safety block length

Reply #18 –
A 12" long piece of 2.125" x 2.125" x .125" wall structural steel tubing will support a load of 36,000 LBS.A 12" long piece  of 2" OD SCH 40 seamless carbon steel pipe will support a load of just over 28,000 LBS.SO 4 12" sections of pipe will hold a load of over 56 tons. 4 of the 12" long trailer hitch extension will support a load of 280,000 LBS.It is hard to do the loads on aluminum pipe because of the many alloys.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'