Safety Stand Placement

Topic: Safety Stand Placement (Read 2527 times) previous topic - next topic

Safety Stand Placement

February 06, 2020, 10:15:23 am

I was searching the Forum trying to find a good clear photo of a safety stand in place, and didn't have any luck. So I am making this post with a couple photos for future reference. Hopefully the next time somebody searches for a safety stand photo, this will pop up.

I recommend (when fully raising the whole coach) the use of 8 stands - one placed near each air bag. Other members may do it differently.

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

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #1 – February 06, 2020, 11:06:57 am

Chuck,
Can you also describe your process for raising coach and do you let it down on the stands so they are actually bearing the weight before you go under? Thanks

I've also struggled removing the rear stands at times.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #2 – February 06, 2020, 11:44:57 am

I also struggle to get the left rear out or in.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #3 – February 06, 2020, 11:49:30 am

That's why I use 11" stands..... to each his own

Nice writeup Chuck ! Good pics

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #4 – February 06, 2020, 11:54:34 am

The rear air bags are usually going to be the last ones up high enough to get stands in. If it is always a problem consider shortening your stands by 1/2" or so. They should all be about the same length but all within 1/4" should be no problem. Mine are all about 11-3/4", cut from 48" receiver tubes which really weren't quite 48". A Sawzall with a metal cutting blade make it pretty easy. By hand, I am pooped just thinking about it.

Be sure you use wheel chocks when your coach is on the stands.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #5 – February 06, 2020, 12:05:43 pm

How I raise our coach:

Start the big engine, let the air compressor reach the point where it unloads (dryer purges) at about 120 psi.

On the HWH panel, push the "AIR' button (turns system on) and then push and hold the "RAISE" button.

As the coach goes up, the dash air pressure gauges drop. I hold the "RAISE" button until the air pressure gauges return to full pressure (120 psi). At that point, all 8 air bags are as fully expanded as they are gonna get.

Still holding the "RAISE" button down, I turn off the ignition, then release the "RAISE" button. The bags should retain pressure and stay inflated.

Then I go around and place the stands in position. I always have at least 1/2" extra space above every 12" stand when they are in position. If it is just a short maintenance job, I leave the bags pressured up. That way when I'm done I can pull the stands back out without starting the engine.

If the coach will be up on the stands for several days/weeks, I release just enough pressure from the bags (using the "DUMP" button) to drop the frame down on the stands. In that case, to remove the stands I go through the same routine as noted above.

This works for me. Other members may do it differently.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #6 – February 06, 2020, 12:17:01 pm

On my 2001 I do as Chuck says but I do not have to hold the raise button. Press once and it goes up. I generally don't let it down on the stands it is a close enough fit that they can not tip over and fall out. Bit if it is up there for a day or so I will. Do what makes you feel comfortable and safe under your coach.

If I am working underneath a common woven plastic patio mat makes sliding around under there pretty easy. I have a plastic boot tray, maybe 16"x20" where I put all of the tools and parts I am taking with me. And they stay there unless I am using them. Sure makes it easier. Planning ahead does too. I hate having to scoot back out to get the one thing I need that I forgot. Don't forget a flashlight and safety glasses.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #7 – February 06, 2020, 12:28:09 pm

There must have been a change between my coach and Roger's as I have to hold the raise button to raise the coach to the extended position.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #8 – February 06, 2020, 12:30:59 pm

I had a metal supplier cut mine from 1/4" x 2" square stock. Painted them bright yellow so I could not forget to remove them. Put a yellow paint mark on the frame so it was easy to show anyone where to put them.

On my coach if you let the raise button go the coach will return to ride height. So use Chuck's procedure mentioned above.

Keith

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #9 – February 06, 2020, 01:19:08 pm

I also used 1/4 inch by 2 inch by 11 and 1/2 inch square tubing and painted them yellow so they won't be forgotten. You definitely do not want to drive around with those in. I bought it from a metal supplier and they cut it for me too. I only use 4, some use 8, and I put them on the inside frame (toward center of coach not on outer part after rear wheels or before front wheels.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #10 – February 06, 2020, 01:32:10 pm

Some coaches (like mine) have "momentary" raise and dump buttons - some have "latching" buttons. I don't know when the change occurred. Link below to the HWH Air Leveling System Text Book. Highly recommended reading for all Foretravel owners.

On page 28 (MI40.028A) and page 29 (MI40.029A) the two different types of raise and dump buttons are described:

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml20635.pdf

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #11 – February 06, 2020, 01:38:15 pm

Jbeem, I think you should use one near each airbag, four on end of the coach to keep from twisting the suspension I carry four with me when traveling and if I had to get under the front end, I raise it up and put all four there and leave it raised until I was done. With only one on each side the coach could come down perhaps 4 inches or more if the air bags went flat.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #12 – February 06, 2020, 02:08:28 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 06, 2020, 01:38:15 pm

Jbeem, I think you should use one near each airbag, four on end of the coach to keep from twisting the suspension

Agree if you are actually going to do work under there. For just crawling under for an inspection, I am OK with a total of 3 placed inboard of bags toward center of coach (behind front wheel, in front of rear wheel).

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #13 – February 06, 2020, 02:36:48 pm

My 98 coach behaves just as Chuck's. I wondered if I had a problem or was doing something wrong. I appreciate the manual link. Bedtime reading. I use 8 stands 11 3/4 inch tall. Have thought about taking a 1/4 inch off the rear stands. 2 inch square tubing purchased at a metal shop. They cut them very square.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #14 – February 06, 2020, 04:32:23 pm

On mine (97) you don't have to press air to turn the system on. Just press and hold the raise button.

Also, if you have an air compressor you can just plug into the system and air it up without starting the engine. You should have one or two air fittings available.
jor

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #15 – February 06, 2020, 05:37:40 pm

Quote from: jor – February 06, 2020, 04:32:23 pm

Also, if you have an air compressor you can just plug into the system and air it up without starting the engine. You should have one or two air fittings available.

If you use an air compressor just be sure to have an air dryer between the compressor and the coach. You don't want wet air in the system.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #16 – February 06, 2020, 06:02:42 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 06, 2020, 01:38:15 pm

Jbeem, I think you should use one near each airbag, four on end of the coach to keep from twisting the suspension I carry four with me when traveling and if I had to get under the front end, I raise it up and put all four there and leave it raised until I was done. With only one on each side the coach could come down perhaps 4 inches or more if the air bags went flat.

Either I don't understand what you mean, or I didn't explain myself well. I put the stands on all four corners but next to the inbound airbag not the outer airbag or in other words on the airbags closer to the center of the coach. When the frame rests on the stands there isn't any twisting of the coach. Would it be better with 8 one next to each airbag, probably, but not necessary for a quick repair or inspection under the coach. If I was doing major repairs that involved the suspension, I would probably get another four, but for the repairs I have done already, 4 on each corner next to the inboard airbag is more than enough.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #17 – February 06, 2020, 06:13:40 pm

I think what Roger is telling you is the same thing I do. Use one stand next to each airbag, but only for working on one end or the other of the coach. Should you have an air failure I don't think it would be a good support on just one side of the linkage. I only have 4 as I can't think of a reason that I would have to work on both ends of the coach at the same time.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #18 – February 06, 2020, 06:20:10 pm

There are 8 air bags, you need a stand at each air bag to support the whole coach. At a minimum, for working on the front end put all four up there. Working on the back? Put all four back there. It is not the coach that gets twisted but the suspension at each corner when you only support one end of the suspension beam. There is an airbag ahead of and behind the axle at each corner supporting a beam running fore and aft that is attached to the axle. With one stand at the rear of the front axle and nothing at the front of the beam, you will twist the front corner suspension.

Four in front or four in the rear if that is all you have or get eight, one for each bag.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #19 – February 06, 2020, 06:41:32 pm

Can you simply just raise the back by itself without raising the front and vice versa the other way? Is their any problem with doing this? I usually raise the entire coach no matter what end I'm working on. I just feel that the coach should be kept level no matter what I'm doing.
John M.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #20 – February 06, 2020, 06:49:49 pm

Quote

Can you simply just raise the back by itself without raising the front and vice versa the other way?

Sure. I do it all the time. I think as long as we are not twisting the rig, we're good.
jor

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #21 – February 06, 2020, 07:07:10 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 06, 2020, 06:20:10 pm

There are 8 air bags, you need a stand at each air bag to support the whole coach. At a minimum, for working on the front end put all four up there. Working on the back? Put all four back there. It is not the coach that gets twisted but the suspension at each corner when you only support one end of the suspension beam. There is an airbag ahead of and behind the axle at each corner supporting a beam running fore and aft that is attached to the axle. With one stand at the rear of the front axle and nothing at the front of the beam, you will twist the front corner suspension.

Four in front or four in the rear if that is all you have or get eight, one for each bag.

OK Roger, I understand what you are saying now. Your thinking more of a situation where you are replacing air bags or the air system is messed up and the airbags are not holding the coach up and you need to hold up one end of the coach. I was thinking more like safety stands for that just in case something goes catastrophically wrong with air system and you don't want it coming down on you when you are working under it, which is how I have been using it. When I put my stands in, I am not using it to hold the entire weight of vehicle, it is there for that just in case situation. If I needed to hold weight of coach for some reason then I do as you suggest and use all four in either the front or back.

Quote from: craneman – February 06, 2020, 06:13:40 pm

I think what Roger is telling you is the same thing I do. Use one stand next to each airbag, but only for working on one end or the other of the coach. Should you have an air failure I don't think it would be a good support on just one side of the linkage. I only have 4 as I can't think of a reason that I would have to work on both ends of the coach at the same time.

Craneman, when I am greasing the chassis or checking for air leaks, I do both ends together, but other than that, I can't see when you would be working on both ends too, but again for something quick like that you would only need one on each corner as a safety measure as long as you don't rest the entire weight of chassis on stands.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #22 – February 06, 2020, 07:58:22 pm

If you are under the coach working on it, chassis lube, air system, anything, and you want both ends up in a safe to work under the coach situation use 8 stands. I did a lot of front end air system work this summer and left the coach out of the barn while doing it. I had both end up on the stands, wheels chocked. It is not much $ for the safety. You won't survive getting squished by your coach.

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #23 – February 06, 2020, 09:50:41 pm

Thanks to all of you for your input on this subject, my coach came with 4 stands, my understanding was this was all that was needed, I used them as JBeem described and thought I was safe. I will be getting four more and until then use the four on one end method. Thanks!!!

Re: Safety Stand Placement

Reply #24 – February 07, 2020, 12:58:38 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – February 06, 2020, 12:05:43 pm

How I raise our coach:

Start the big engine, let the air compressor reach the point where it unloads (dryer purges) at about 120 psi.

On the HWH panel, push the "AIR' button (turns system on) and then push and hold the "RAISE" button.

As the coach goes up, the dash air pressure gauges drop. I hold the "RAISE" button until the air pressure gauges return to full pressure (120 psi). At that point, all 8 air bags are as fully expanded as they are gonna get.

Still holding the "RAISE" button down, I turn off the ignition, then release the "RAISE" button. The bags should retain pressure and stay inflated.

Then I go around and place the stands in position. I always have at least 1/2" extra space above every 12" stand when they are in position. If it is just a short maintenance job, I leave the bags pressured up. That way when I'm done I can pull the stands back out without starting the engine.

If the coach will be up on the stands for several days/weeks, I release just enough pressure from the bags (using the "DUMP" button) to drop the frame down on the stands. In that case, to remove the stands I go through the same routine as noted above.

This works for me. Other members may do it differently.

I just did it your way and it worked perfect, I could lengthen my blocks. Thanks for the great advice.

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