Tires off ground question

AikenRacer wrote:
Every now and then when I level the mh, a tire will end up being off the ground. Keep in mind, this is a tag axle. This has never bothered me until I started seeing others spend a lot of time driving onto wood just to keep tires from being air borne. Just read an article in the new Motorhome magazine page 64 and it says "If any of the tread is unsupported, it can cause internal damage that may not be obvious at the time." At my job I see huge cranes all the time, set up for days, with all their tires off the ground. In fact this is the proper protocol for cranes. So where's the problem? Someone please inform me. If I have to carry lumber with me for this it will greatly add to the aggrivation and time in setting up....but I don't want to tear up my tires. Comments??

Well Sir,
"Aggrivation" in setting up? Well, all I can tell you is, it's not all that hard to get out, open a compartment, bring out what few blocks may be needed, place where they're needed, get back in, drive on them, DONE! Leveling is always a debate on this and other forums. I'm not a fan of having ANY tires off the ground when leveling. We've been in several situations where I used every piece of lumber I carry to keep things safe and stabile.

By driving onto a block, or some, to get it primarily level, you keep from putting too much strain on any ONE portion of the frame, body, windshield and much more. Then, if blocks are needed in the front, then I will put one or, whatever's needed under the front jacks so they too don't have to travel that far and, they don't have to do all the work to get the rig level.

If you think it's too hard to carry a few blocks, boards, pieces of whatever to use in assistance in leveling, that's certainly up to you, it's your rig. Now, as for tire damage, well, it took about 4 or 5 responses for someone (Wolf10) to get the message out about "partially supported tire treads" in this issue.

I've seen many "Stair step" ramps made out there from 2x6s or 2x8s and the way about 95% of the guys use them is, INCORRECT according to the tire manufacturers write ups on tire damage issues. The actual way to use a stair stepped, home made ramp is, UPSIDE DOWN.

That way, there's no sharp edges for the "hot" (just traveled several hundred miles) tread to sit on. The tread is completely supported, side to side, and full front to back. And, your rig is extra stabile due to several touch-points in contact with the ground. (all the tires and, all the jacks)

But, that's way to hard for some folks to grasp so, it's up to the individual and whatever makes them happy.
Scott