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Topic: Partial safety block usage (Read 1177 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #25 –
Our 12" spacers fit fine both front and back. When the front stops rising, I put the 4 stands in place, by then the back is usually high enough to insert the stands. When all 8 stands are in place then I'll lower coach onto the stands.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #26 –
But what do you do if you have a large enough bag failure on the road that a plug won't fix it? You can't get full height and or may not be able to have the tire clear the fender well with only one bag to do the heavy lifting.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
I did this with our air/hydraulic jack without lifting the tire off the ground so there may be some additional clearance to be gained.
Where/how did you do this? Was the jack on the ground with some sort of extension running to the frame? I think I'm going to buy this hydraulic jack and it would be nice to not have to lift all 30lbs of it into place between the two frames: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-air-hydraulic-bottle-jack-94487.html
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #28 –
The 20 ton was on sale plus I had a discount coupon so about $60 each so I bought two. 12 ton would be fine. Use coach air to raise.

Yes, the jack is too heavy so just keep it on the ground. You should have an adapter like I made to avoid an accident. I only used the ViceGrip to hold the adapter in place while I brought the jack up. I did unscrew the jack's center part several turns so I got max lift from the jack. I made a couple of adjustable safeties to fit between the 2"x3" tubing. My 18V 1/4" drill/impact spins them to the desired extension.

I did have to cut a slot in the adapter small circular ring to get clearance. I also made a relief in the bottom adapter piece so It can't go sideways for any reason.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #29 –
Quote
My 12" HF specials fit easily, as long as I am patient.

That's my experience too with three coaches. If the coach is aired up it's at about 130psi. I raise until it drops to 75 or so and then do it again. Sometimes twice until that rear end is up high enough. I'm pretty experienced at this as I have to do the same thing to get out of my driveway.

If you're home it's faster to fire up a compressor, plug in an air hose and raise it that way.

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Where/how did you do this? Was the jack on the ground with some sort of extension running to the frame? I think I'm going to buy this hydraulic jack and it would be nice to not have to lift all 30lbs of it into place between the two frames: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-air-hydraulic-bottle-jack-94487.html
Elliott.  Seriously, two ells and two tees?

Lets talk in round numbers here.  Your U320 weighs about 32,000 pounds.  One half of that is 16,000 pounds and we know that in reality one end is heavier than the other. A 12 ton jack lifts 24,000 pounds.  That's 0.75 times the jacks rated capacity.  Me personally  I like to see at least 2X capacity as a safety factor, so for your 16,000 pound half of your RV, 32,000 pounds or 2(16,000).  The 20 ton jack is 40,000 pounds for a safety factor of 2.5.  Much safer for all involved when you go to lift the heavy half of the coach.  I know you're going to load the jack up.  We all do it.

Purchase the 20 ton jacks.  When you change the airbags, you'll forget the cost of the jack.

Take it from someone who has more than once said "If this thing starts to move on its own step back and wait."  Only to see someone with the best of intentions try to stop a (insert large number here) pound machine by pushing with his hands and arms.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
Take it from someone who has more than once said "If this thing starts to move on its own step back and wait."  Only to see someone with the best of intentions try to stop a (insert large number here) pound machine by pushing with his hands and arms.
Reminds me of the time I wanted to replace the aft U-joint on a '72 Cheevy Van with raised suspension.  Van, as usual, was parked in our driveway, which sloped from the garage down to the street.  I knew the auto trans was in (P)ark, and assumed the parking brake was set.  Chocks?  I don't need no stinkin' chocks.  Slid under the van from the passenger side ahead of the rear wheel.  Removed the retaining bolts on the U-joint and tried to drop the end of the drive shaft.  Darn thing was stuck tight and wouldn't move.  HMMmmmm...  Grabbed my MECHANICS hammer and gave the U-joint a mighty whack.  End of drive shaft popped loose with a SPROING noise, and van started to roll slowly down the slope.  I grabbed the axle tube and tried to stop it.  NOPE!  Rear tire was getting close to my body so I skittered sideways out from under the van, which was picking up speed.  Ran around the back of the van to the other side and tried to open the driver door.  LOCKED!  Stood there and watched as the van rolled down the driveway, across the street, jumped the opposite curb, and then stopped in my neighbor's front yard after smashing his mailbox.  Learned a few valuable lessons that day.

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: Partial safety block usage

Reply #32 –
Never lift the coach unless it's flat and don't put the jack on dirt to lift it. Buy two large HF rubber chocks and run a 3 foot line between the two. Never try to use one, use both, one in front of the wheel and one behind the wheel. You can never drive away from the chock that way. Store the two chocks in the step actuator compartment where they are hidden but instantly available.

Utility companies, fire dept, etc always chock the wheels when the vehicle is parked on the street. Get in the habit.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #33 –
Driving across Pennsylvania in the Rockwood I tried to apply the brakes and felt, and heard a brake pad crumble. A brand new riveted brake pad.  We parked at a Loves and I replaced the bad pad with the best of the ones I removed.  I did not strap the wheel chocks to the wheel.  When I went to put the wheels back on, the Rockwood shifted and fell onto the safety blocks.  I went inside and had a cup of coffee.  When I began working to raise the rig again a Loves guy came out to talk to me. He left.  I finished the job.  At the next campground, with the permission of management and some borrowed tools I spent the week changing out the calipers and installing higher quality brake pads.  This time I wrapped a ratchet strap around the wheel chocks.

And Eliot?  Cut some 1/2" weather proof plywood into 1' squares to place under your jacks.  The pavement will thank you and the dirt certainly will do so.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.
 

Re: Partial safety block usage

Reply #34 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
And Eliot?  Cut some 1/2" weather proof plywood into 1' squares to place under your jacks.  The pavement will thank you and the dirt certainly will do so.
I've already got them cut!

Two els and two tees btw, it's more symmetrical.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.