Dually leveling question

Thanks AnEv942 for posting the illustration from the Michelin tire guide.

It boils down to risk taking. If you choose not to follow the recommended safety practices given by any parts or equipment manufacturer, that's your call.

But to act with authority, giving out false and misleading information to others, that relates to safety, needs to be pointed out.

ryoung

Michelin's answer is the preferred method, but I've never block both tires on our dually. I did have a Michelin tire fail on our truck, but it was a front tire.

Well everyone thank you for all the info, I also use my jacks to stabilize the camper just putting enough weight off the truck to stop the wobble, may be this is not a good idea but so far it has worked, just wanted to know what others do I only block 1 tire on each side so far Thanks for the replies

Dave

ryoung, here's the picture from your quote



Fully supporting entire tire footprint is required IMO, however requiring both duals to be blocked I dont. Few of us are anywhere near capacity weight wise (static load) that a single tire will end up with more load than rated.
I prefer and try to block both- but I only carry so many blocks..
so as often as not, only block one of the duals. If storing long term- Id block both but for few days I dont believe I'm damaging tires.

And that is just another opinion, written by someone whose main objective is to cover their butt in every possible way.
I mean, sure, block ‘em both, but if you find yourself in a spot someday where you want to block up and can only do one, your tire is not going to explode.

As mentioned previously. It's a static load. You're not going to hurt the tire or rim if it's just sitting with additional load on it, over its rated capacity.
Maybe other reasons to block both tires...soft ground, less flex or sway when using the camper, but that's negated by dropping a couple of the camper jacks to stabilize.

The following is copied from Page 124 of the Michelin Truck Tire Service Manual: HERE

"When using blocks to level motorhomes or RVs,
extreme caution must be taken to make sure the tires
are fully supported. The weight on the tire should be
evenly distributed on the block. And in the case of duals,
it should be evenly distributed on blocks for both tires.
If not, the sidewall cables can become fatigued and
damaged, resulting in a sidewall rupture and a complete,
sudden loss of pressure.
Note in the correct method, the blocks are wider
than the tread and longer than the tire’s footprint. This
provides maximum support to the tires and assures that
the load is evenly distributed."

There's also some pictures that illustrate the Correct and Incorrect way to use leveling blocks.

Quite a difference than some of the opinions given in this thread.
Taking proper care of your tires is a major safety factor, that may involve yor life and well being.

ryoung

I just put blocks under the inside rear dual, I use the inside because it's the steel wheel.

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
If you've got one of a pair of dually tires sitting on thin air, then obviously the other tire is carrying ALL the weight.

So do you know how much weight each wheel position is carrying? And do you know how much weight a single wheel is rated to carry, at the air pressure you have in it?

If you can answer those two questions, then the answer to your question should be obvious.

There’s more to it. Tires and wheels can take a whole lot more just sitting still (static load) The weight ratings are for while driving at the max speed the tire is rated for. That’s a completely different dynamic.

If we were always parked none of us would need duallies, even on a triple slide Host Mammoth.

I carry 8 3/4" x 1'x 1' squares of plywood for the rears, also use these as jack pads, and ramps for the front. If I'm on REALLY unlevel ground I just level the TC with as much weight on the truck as possible.

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
If you've got one of a pair of dually tires sitting on thin air, then obviously the other tire is carrying ALL the weight.

So do you know how much weight each wheel position is carrying? And do you know how much weight a single wheel is rated to carry, at the air pressure you have in it?

If you can answer those two questions, then the answer to your question should be obvious.

As mentioned previously. It's a static load. You're not going to hurt the tire or rim if it's just sitting with additional load on it, over its rated capacity.
Maybe other reasons to block both tires...soft ground, less flex or sway when using the camper, but that's negated by dropping a couple of the camper jacks to stabilize.