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Topic: Leveling blocks (Read 707 times) previous topic - next topic

Leveling blocks

How many leveling 2 by's do you carry on board to make up for irregular sites. I have no idea of what the hwh system is capable of?

+/- how many inches can it compensate for?

Every coach I understand is different?

Looking for a reasonable starting point +1 after that it it may be prudent to look for another site.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #1 –
I carry 12. 3x 1',2',3'. That gives me 4½" on the rear where I almost always need it. Be sure to put boards under both wheels for your duellys.

Edit: Oops that should be 4x not 3x...

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #2 –
I have never carried lumber in 10 years of full-timing in my 42' coach, and have never had a problem leveling.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #3 –
Phred,

We don't carry any boards - no problems, yet.  We have less camping experience than other members, especially in "unimproved" areas.

I have never measured the total range of adjustment, but it seems pretty generous.  I found one old post on this subject (link below).

Leveling ???'s

The air bags on all Foretravel (air suspension) coaches are the same - they have the same total range of travel from fully deflated to fully inflated.  However, the ability of the coach to adapt to non-level conditions varies with the length (wheelbase).  Shorter coaches fare better than longer ones in extremely sloped conditions.  They are also a bit more maneuverable in "tight" situations.

If a coach has a residential fridge, being perfectly level becomes less critical.  The fridge doesn't mind parking on a slope, so your own physical tolerance becomes the limiting factor.  Personally, if my drink doesn't slide off the table, I'm good!  ^.^d
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: Leveling blocks

Reply #4 –
I carry 4 3" blocks, if that doesn't do it I change sights. We do have to use the blocks quite often.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #5 –
in 4 years and 50K miles, I have only been outside the HWH capabilities once, at Glacier NP.  I found some large flat rocks for the front right corner to raise it about 3 inches.

I don't carry blocks.

I have some at home for getting me higher clearance for working under the coach.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #6 –
Our coach has leaf springs (remember those?) and the HWH kickdown leveling jacks.
We carry (4) 12" square x 1" thick plywood pads and (4) 12" square x 1/2" thick plywood pads.
I have mounted a small level crosswise on the dash for L-R leveling indicator and another level on the HWH console to indicate lever F-R. I first used a 3' construction level sitting on the countertop to get the coach level, then mounted the small levels with--what else?-- Shoe Goo.
If I can't drive the coach level I will get it as level as possible, then try putting plywood pads under the appropriate wheels until levels indicate we are level. Then pad under each leveling jack and traverse downward until coach is solid on the ground--no rocking motion.
Then I verify level---I try the bathroom door. If it stays where I stop it we are good to go--in more ways than one!! >:D  >:D  ^.^d
I do it this way to reduce any chance of twisting the coach and having a windshield crack, come out of its seal, or have the dash reinforcement fiberglass come loose from the front end.
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: Leveling blocks

Reply #7 –
Can't do this with the 99' We have to find less remote spots for it.

leveling
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: Leveling blocks

Reply #8 –
Phred,  Much easier to respond if we know what coach you are talking about.  And while you are at it , please add your name, too.

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #9 –
Phred

This may help.  We carry two 30 inch long 2x8s.  I can either put one under each front or both on one reae dually set.  So far been sufficient except one site we frequent.

In that case, I learned to dig out under the passenger side dually about 1.5 inches of gravel and stack my two carry boards under the driver front.

No point in this arrangement rests on a tire.  However some air springs about one inch below max extension, others near fully down

Hope gives you idea if going to a less improved site.  Ours is 40 ft coach.

Ditto Barry...helps folks help you.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #10 –
Barry, according to his profile he does not own one, click on his Avatar to see.
JohnH
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: Leveling blocks

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Phred,  Much easier to respond if we know what coach you are talking about.  And while you are at it , please add your name, too.
Haven't found The coach yet, but the in-laws driveway is horrible and that will probably be the first trip, and I don't want to look stupid. Plan on using the coach to tour SW Colorado. Phred's a nickname I picked up in HS.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Leveling blocks

Reply #12 –
For the '99 I am building a 7" inch system, as the coach can level that same amount. It will give me a 14" off level ability. If the low end can't raise with the 7 inches I will use 7 inch blocks and start again from there. As the coach can adjust from there I don't need to carry smaller sizes.
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: Leveling blocks

Reply #13 –
I started out with no lumber, and after an experience of sinking, I started carrying 8 2x8 boards about 4' long and 8 about 2' long. If I'm going to be on soft ground I put those out. Over the past couple of years some of those have not survived and became firewood.

Twice I've had to use some of those boards because the site wasn't level enough. In each case I tried leveling with the HWH system and found that I couldn't get level, so I put down a couple of boards and tried again. The worst spot had two boards under each front tire, front raised to the max and the rear sitting on the tires. That's when we bought a small step to carry for when the coach's step was too far up in the air.