Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa (Read 924 times) previous topic - next topic

Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa

For whatever reason my rig doesn't have a leveling system but I found what seems to be jack pads on the lower frame cross beam where it crosses the side beam. There is a duplicate pad directly above it on the upper frame. I have been using 4x6 cut to the correct height in all of the 6 places on the frame (4 in rear 2 in front) I found these pads (its about an inch or two diameter circle).
If this sounds familiar I.can use some advice. The 4x6 method works great when I'm stationary for a long time but a PITA for shorter trips.
Does anyone know if I can use bottle jacks or if there is another adjustable jack rated for the weight of the top frame (coach)? Thanks in advance
1989 GV Private Coach. DD Pusher/Allison
Stay Free And Safe
Kennyb

Re: Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #1 –
I guess I don't understand the setup on your coach.

Are you saying your coach does have air bag suspension, but does not have any type of manual or automatic leveling system when parked?  Is that correct?

If that is the case, how do you raise the suspension to insert (or remove) the 4 x 6 blocks that you are using?

One of our members (J. D. Stevens) had a set of adjustable safety stands made up by a welding shop.  Is this what you have in mind?

Working Safely around your Foretravel

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=99

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 Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #2 –
Kenny
Do you have 3 levers to the left of drivers seat ?
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #3 –
Judging from the year in your signature and your profile photo I believe you have a Unihome chassis.  Like Stump stated, there should be three levers mounted in the floor to the left of the driver's seat.  Attached is the instructions for them.  I have the same set up.  Once you figure out how they work you will love the simplicity of them.  I use the term Manual Air Leveling to describe the system.

Posting photos in the forum goes a long way to describing your situation or question.
I'm still not sure what pads you are talking about and where you are placing 4x6's.  Foretravel did different things in different years so maybe my 1991 is different from your 1989 in this regard.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #4 –
Good information and thanks for the instructions. My issue is the air doesn't stay in the airbags so I just assumed they aren't designed to use as levelers. Within 12 hours the air is gone from the bags. Is there a way to keep them up? Does my onboard compressor do that?
1989 GV Private Coach. DD Pusher/Allison
Stay Free And Safe
Kennyb

Re: Leveling Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #5 –
You will need to troubleshoot and stop your air leaks. Could be valves, air lines or even a bag leak. The bags stay inflated when working properly.
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 Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Kennyb –
Within 12 hours the air is gone from the bags. Is there a way to keep them up?
Chasing air leaks is part of the charm of owning a Foretravel coach!  It's not a job- it's an adventure!

You need to study your air system diagram to understand where the air goes.  If you do not have a diagram, your job is much more difficult.

See the thread linked below for some ideas on where to look for leaks.

Air Leak


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 Jacks for Grand Villa

Reply #7 –
So our vintage has a 120VAC air compressor that's under the steps, so you have to be plugged in to maintain air pressure.  I would say you have more leakage than normal.  From my experience the compressor needs to run about once a day.  That taking it from around 75 psi to somewhere near 100 psi.  With more leakage it just means it will need to run more often.

Once place that leaks on our vintage is the check valve on the compressor that ties into the air system.  The check valve has a steel spring that rusts out and allows the air to flow back into the compressor when the compressor stops.  The compressors reed valves will leak back a little which is normal for that type of valve.  The check valve looks like a 1/4" NPT nipple with a wrench hex so it can easily be overlooked as just a regular nipple.  It should be one of the first things the output of the compressor ties into.  This is the kind of leak that will not be detected with soap bubbles.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho