I've only had TTs and 5th Wheels and am curious what the feel is when living in a fully setup DP? As in, all levelers/jacks and whatever else down and setup like if you are staying in the same place for awhile. Can the person in the bedroom feel it when someone in the front walks across the floor like in a TT? If a TT with the scissor jacks down is a 1 and my house is a 10 where does the DP fall? And I'm really looking for info on a full size 40+ foot DP. I realize this isn't something I'm likely to get much a feel for until I own one and have spent some days/nights in it so I appreciate hearing opinions. Thanks.

With the air bags deflated and the jacks down, most DPs are rock-solid, and you won't feel any rocking. You'll be able to throw away the "If this trailer is rocking, don't come knocking" sign.

I'd rate a DP as an 8 or 9, I've felt some rocking. Not enough to be a bother, but I can tell if someone is moving.Bill

When we had our DP, I could not feel my DH walking around at all, and he weighs about 235. So probably 8-9. Mind you, that was with air dumped and levelers down. Enjoy!

Mtofell1, we have both air leveling and hydraulic jacks. I will usually level on the air bags if the surface is dirt or gravel. I'll use the hydraulic jacks on concrete or asphalt (if allowed).Honestly, we get a little movement from both. I could not tell you which system we are using if I was blind-folded. They feel the same.When the washer goes into a final 1,200 rpm spin, the coach will vibrate a little. So, I would give ours a 7 but the movement is very minimal. I'm not bothered by it.Our new coach will have air only leveling which is what I would prefer if I only had one choice.Good luck,MM.

Our Gulfstream with Jacks only is a 10 to start with, then slips to about an 8-9. If I get to it, another touch on the jacks makes it a 10 again.

How bouncy is a diesel pusher when parked?? | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Peralko
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
If you let all the air out of the bags, you won't have any movement at all. If you leave air in the bags, it depends on how heavy the coach is. If you have a coach that weighs 22k pounds, it will move quite a bit when it is sitting on the air bags and you move inside the coach. If your coach weighs 50k, it won't hardly move at all when you walk inside.
et2
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Compared to our TT & Fivers we've had its a night and day difference. Hardly any. But if the washer is spinning a heavy load - it'll definitely shake.

Also ,if the levelers have to raise a lot to get level it is somewhat noticeable, but nothing like a pull behind. And we had auto levelers on our last fiver. The extra weight of the MH helps.
mdprince
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Trackrig wrote:
I'd rate a DP as an 8 or 9, I've felt some rocking. Not enough to be a bother, but I can tell if someone is moving.

Bill

x2
Johno02
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Anyone notice the holes in asphalt camping pads made by jack pads? If you see those, it is best to use pads under the jacks.
mci7
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
The outside mounted air bags are more stable than the inboard bags no matter if parked or driving, as the driver you do not notice the effect at all, but as a passenger it is more noticeable.
I do not care for hydraulic feet to level or stabilize, but if that is your style, great.
Have the HWH AUTO LEVEL AIR SETUP, A JOY.
DAVE M
ncrowley
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2014
I have jacks that are used with a set of buttons. I do not have automatic leveling but the system I have works just fine. With the jacks down properly, the coach is stable. We carry a set of 4 pads that we put under the jacks unless we are on concrete. This stops the jacks from sinking into the ground.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2014
The 2 I have had both were pretty steady.....One had the automatic jacks and the other had air bags. I like the jacks better but thats just me.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
mtofell1 wrote:
Thanks everyone.... this all sounds great and what I was hoping for.

I am a bit confused as to the various systems though. The airbags are suspension/support but only carry load from the coach to the wheels, right? Then, there are jacks that are put down. Some automatically level (push a button inside and it goes level?) While some you basically have a joystick or different buttons to push inside while you watch a level?

With the weight of these coaches is it ever a problem with the jacks just sinking into the ground?

Sorry for all the questions.... I work with houses for a living and am trying to understand just what is going to be holding me up in my house with wheels when I retire someday :) Thanks!

Our system is a Power Gear/Valid system that automatically levels the coach whether I choose air leveling or hydraulic leveling. I can also hit the manual button and level either manually.

The system will automatically adjust itself at anytime it feels there is a change. It could be that the leveling jacks could have sunk a little and the system will adjust to compensate for the change. We weigh just over 40,000 lbs.

I'm careful now about using the jacks on asphalt. Once, at KOA, I used the hydraulic jacks and the front went right through the pavement and made a one foot deep hole the size of a dinner plate. (Most Monaco's use a three jack system, one in the front and 2 at the rear). I told the office about it and said that I would pay to have it fixed and they said don't worry about it. Some campgrounds require that you use pads under the jacks. That's where air leveling is so handy as we level on our 10 air bags and the tires are the foundation.

You have to be careful not to lift the rear wheels off of the ground when using 'jacks' as the emergency brake is attached to the rear wheels. The coach could roll bending the jacks and/or causing damage.

MM.
John_S_
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2014
My 36 footer would rock slightly but if I leveled by dropping the coach first it did not move much at all. My 42 FT rarely moves even if I do not drop it.
DanTheRVMan
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
I am likely more sensitive to movement as I get motion sickness. The first year I noticed the movement a lot and did not like it at all. But, I guess it is like living near train tracks after a year or two I notice it a lot less.

I still ask my 120 lb wife to walk softly on occasion so expect some movement.