Forum Discussion

way2roll's avatar
way2roll
Navigator II
Jul 19, 2019

To DP or not DP

We are in the preliminary stages of prepping for full time in the next year and a half. I work remote and our son will be going off to college, so we thought we would see a lot more of this great country. We've always had gassers because that's all we needed - mostly weekend trips etc. I am fully versed in the shortcomings of the F53 and I am also fairly convinced that if I am going to Full time - a bigger, nicer, quieter, better handling MH is in order. That said, while I have been in some DP's I have never driven one and I know next to nothing about their mechanics - and frankly it's a little intimidating. Even getting fuel is different. I am sure I would get the hang of driving and "how stuff works". I will say that although we've always had gassers, most engine stuff I always left to the pros. I am more handy when it comes to the house stuff. But I'd hate to trade luxury for being in over my head in terms of handing things when they go wrong and general understanding. I know all of us at one time never did anything we do now- I get it, but am I overthinking this too much? Part of me is thinking a nicer gasser to stay in my comfort zone, but the other part of me is thinking - this is a dream we've talked about for years and want to do it right and in the best MH we can afford with the most comfort.
Class A
  • Bruce_Brown's avatar
    Bruce_Brown
    Moderator
    Jul 23, 2019
    I'll say...

    I hope the OP got the information they were looking for.

    I hope no one does something foolish and ends up hurt or worse.

    This one is done.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    Bruce Brown wrote:


    A hose or fitting failure would drop the jacks in a second.


    Wrong.
  • map40's avatar
    map40
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    map40 wrote:
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    I would bet that when a coach sets a week on the level jacks with out moving, it will set there 15 minutes more while Mike slides under there and changes a brake canister fitting.


    No.... Bad assumption. When you go under you TOUCH stuff. Either a hose, a pipe, a valve, you move a hydraulic line out of the way to see better, next thing you know, coach comes down.

    Do a search for "Rolls Royce Phanthom kills technician". A poor guy had a Rolls on a lift but did not lock it correctly. When he went under and starter looking at a bolt in the exhaust, the car came down.
    It is a really good example on how even when you believe you are safe but you missed a minor safety backup, you could be in trouble.


    When you do not know what you are doing, you don't belong under there.

    But tell me what you could move to cause the jacks to collapse ?
    Remember the air ride system is already drained, when you raise the coach. so it has been on the jacks for week. and jacks must be selected up electrically to lower the coach.
    Changing a brake line fitting isn't going to do that.
    When you don't know the difference between falling off a car lift and a coach on its leveling jacks you shouldn't post.

    Sorry, I did not want to start an argument. I have seen enough industrial accidents for cases like this. Especially when people know what they are doing, because the become complaicent, they forget little things, and that is what kills them. You can have a hose under preasure for a week, and you just went under to check something else, touched it accidentally and it breaks. I learn working in over 50 automotive and aerospace facilities NEVER to trust Hydraulic or air systems.
    That is the thing I love about the Class C we have in the fleet. You drive them on wood stands and you are good to go. Even if a tire blows out, you are still safe.
  • Bruce_Brown's avatar
    Bruce_Brown
    Moderator
    Jul 23, 2019
    Tom/Barb wrote:

    When you do not know what you are doing, you don't belong under there.

    But tell me what you could move to cause the jacks to collapse ?
    Remember the air ride system is already drained, when you raise the coach. so it has been on the jacks for week. and jacks must be selected up electrically to lower the coach.
    Changing a brake line fitting isn't going to do that.
    When you don't know the difference between falling off a car lift and a coach on its leveling jacks you shouldn't post.


    A hose or fitting failure would drop the jacks in a second.

    My real job is industrial sales, and ANYTHING that you're relying on hydraulics to hold absolutely MUST also be mechanically held before any work is started. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate dismissal in every plant I go in.

    Now, can we please get this thread back on track.

    While safety is always a good subject, this thread is about whether to DP or not to DP.
  • Bruce_Brown's avatar
    Bruce_Brown
    Moderator
    Jul 23, 2019
    Tom/Barb wrote:

    When you do not know what you are doing, you don't belong under there.

    But tell me what you could move to cause the jacks to collapse ?
    Remember the air ride system is already drained, when you raise the coach. so it has been on the jacks for week. and jacks must be selected up electrically to lower the coach.
    Changing a brake line fitting isn't going to do that.
    When you don't know the difference between falling off a car lift and a coach on its leveling jacks you shouldn't post.


    A hose or fitting failure would drop the jacks in a second.

    My real job is industrial sales, and ANYTHING that you're relying on hydraulics to hold absolutely MUST also be mechanically held before any work is started. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate dismissal in every plant I go in.

    Now, can we please get this thread back on track.

    While safety is always a good subject, this thread is about whether to DP or not to DP.
  • mike_brez's avatar
    mike_brez
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    Personally I only have air leveling no jacks. If I did have jacks I would raise up and block. I have pretty shity luck.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    map40 wrote:
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    I would bet that when a coach sets a week on the level jacks with out moving, it will set there 15 minutes more while Mike slides under there and changes a brake canister fitting.


    No.... Bad assumption. When you go under you TOUCH stuff. Either a hose, a pipe, a valve, you move a hydraulic line out of the way to see better, next thing you know, coach comes down.

    Do a search for "Rolls Royce Phanthom kills technician". A poor guy had a Rolls on a lift but did not lock it correctly. When he went under and starter looking at a bolt in the exhaust, the car came down.
    It is a really good example on how even when you believe you are safe but you missed a minor safety backup, you could be in trouble.


    When you do not know what you are doing, you don't belong under there.

    But tell me what you could move to cause the jacks to collapse ?
    Remember the air ride system is already drained, when you raise the coach. so it has been on the jacks for week. and jacks must be selected up electrically to lower the coach.
    Changing a brake line fitting isn't going to do that.
    When you don't know the difference between falling off a car lift and a coach on its leveling jacks you shouldn't post.
  • map40's avatar
    map40
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    I would bet that when a coach sets a week on the level jacks with out moving, it will set there 15 minutes more while Mike slides under there and changes a brake canister fitting.


    No.... Bad assumption. When you go under you TOUCH stuff. Either a hose, a pipe, a valve, you move a hydraulic line out of the way to see better, next thing you know, coach comes down.

    Do a search for "Rolls Royce Phanthom kills technician". A poor guy had a Rolls on a lift but did not lock it correctly. When he went under and starter looking at a bolt in the exhaust, the car came down.
    It is a really good example on how even when you believe you are safe but you missed a minor safety backup, you could be in trouble.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2019
    I would bet that when a coach sets a week on the level jacks with out moving, it will set there 15 minutes more while Mike slides under there and changes a brake canister fitting.

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