how do you work under a MH with air bags?

[dsr27]

I have an older Winnie that sits fairly high on springs. Over the years I've spent a bit of time under there for service and upgrades. Somewhere in our future is a MH riding on air bags. Most of these seem to sit very low. One way that I could imagine working under one would be to drive it up on some blocks, so that with the air all dumped, one could still slide under.

How do you guys do it?

thanks
Gary

[wa8yxm]

Harbor Freight

Run the air bags up as high as possible.. Or the leveling jacks if you have those,, (or both) then install a set of devices slightly heavier than the above (They are offered for reference only) then let the air/jacks down so it sits firmly on the stands. and work away.

NOTE: Motor homes fall into two groups when working under them.

Mine, No need for jacks My 300 pound frame slide around nicely under the beast.

Many need jack stands though.

There are alternatives (NOTE: I am a leveling jack short on this 3-legged rig (Supposed to be 4 but I pretzled one) and am using a jack stand in place of that jack (pick it up with a bottle jack, let it down on the stand) the stand sits on top of a square foot of 4x12 lumber so it does not just sink into the ground.

[et2]

I've been kicking this around for myself. I want to get under the coach to fix some rust. I'm just not comfortable sliding under the MH while raised. Not as thin and flexible as I use to be. It might be nothing to worry about but my wife agrees with me, take it somewhere and let them do the work. So that is my solution.

[dsr27]

cross country wrote:
I'm new to this too, however I have learned that with Foretravels a steel 2x2 x 1/4 inch thick post at a prescribed length is placed in a recommended (by manufacturer)position in all four corners which takes the place of fully inflated air bags. This is the recommended safe way to elevate your Foretravel if your going to get under it.

Interesting... Foretravel is at the top of my list. So how do you safely install this post? Once the rig is up, do you just assume it won't come down in the short time you're putting the post in place?

With the jack stands suggested, it would seem like you could push it into place with a stick and still be safely out from underneath. Is that what you jackstand guys do?

thanks for all the replies and suggestions
Gary

[PortWentworthSa]

frankdamp wrote:
Stacks of wood blocks can slip. The only reasonably safe way is to use big-truck size axle stands. BTW, Chris is correct. "XX-ton axle stands are rated to each support XX/2. I was looking at some Harbor Freight ones a while back and asked the question. They confirmed that each one could support half the rated weight.

Sorry that I wasn't more detailed. Blocks can slip easily. I made a set of 6 just for this purpose. I took 6x6 treated lumber and cut them in 11" lengths bolted 2 together side by side making them 11" x 11" square as a 6x6 isn't really 6". Then I bolted another pair of 6x6 blocks to the topof the first running across. Then another and another until high enough to fit under the mail frame with the wheels off the ground about 2". I also added a 24 x 24 piece of treated 3/4" plywood to the bottom as a base. bolted with 4 bolts.

I added a rope strap to each block set for easy handling and moving around. I space 3 block sets on each side of the coach evenly and centered on the frame. total of 6 block sets.

I used treated lumber so I can store them behind the garage when I'm not using them. They are specifically made for the motor home and there when I need them which is a couple of times a year.

I got this idea from a friend who built 8 sets to put under his coach in storage. He raises the coach using his leveling jacks and puts the block sets under the frame. Raises his jacks and his coach sits on top of the 8 block sets nicely. Tires barely touching the ground.

[frankdamp]

Stacks of wood blocks can slip. The only reasonably safe way is to use big-truck size axle stands. BTW, Chris is correct. "XX-ton axle stands are rated to each support XX/2. I was looking at some Harbor Freight ones a while back and asked the question. They confirmed that each one could support half the rated weight.

[cbeierl]

sjholt wrote:
...
I have two 5 ton jack stands under the rear axle....

Just a reminder to folks that jack stands are typically (always?) rated as a pair--i.e. A pair of 5-ton jack stands will each hold a maximum of 2.5 tons, for a combined total of 5 tons.

[sjholt]

I am currently working on the rear of the MH now.
I have two 5 ton jack stands under the rear axle.
I just cross rotated the tires front to rear. My 22,000 lbs jacks will raise the rear tires of this 23,000 lb MH off the ground and even tho these jacks don't leak- I still won't chance it.
I'm also gonna crawl under it to do the cross bracing. I already did the front.

[Executive45]

My coach sits at 47,800 pounds...I don't crawl under it....of the 10 or so posts so far, only ONE is failsafe....just sayin....Dennis

[PortWentworthSa]

I put blocks under my leveling jacks and raise the coach off the ground....all wheels off ground. Then I block the frame with wood blocks. Slowely lower off the jacks to reliever pressure. I can then rotate all my tires and do whatever service is needed down under.

[Dale_Traveling]

Ivylog wrote:
Most will have automatic safety jacks, often called leveling jacks.

Ivy, be a bit careful saying such. The installed jacks really can't be considered 'safety jacks' in that there is no way to physically lock the jacks in the extended position and prevent inadvertent retraction or other such lowering of the coach due a failure associated with the hydraulic system. The risk of system failure is probably very low but the results can be deadly. Same with an air bag based system.

Myself I use the jacks to get the coach up then place 12 ton jack stands under the chassis before I go underneath.

[gat75]

WARNING,
My neighbor was killed about 30 years ago when his air brakes leaked down & caused his 40' Bluebird to roll forward off of wood ramps. He was in the worst place possible when it rolled forward. He was laying down working under the low-slung steel generator "box."
Wished I could give a solution to op's original question, however, just had hand surgery!

[bluwtr49]

I do a couple of things.

Drive up on some home made ramps...~3.0"
Drop the jacks
Attach the hose from my compressor set at 120 psi.

With the 3" blocks, I'm safe even if the air drops which is unlikely since it's still supported by the jacks and the air compressor keeps the air up unless I do something incredibly stupid (always a possibility)

[Ivylog]

Most will have automatic safety jacks, often called leveling jacks.

[Tom_Barb]

My leveling jacks will raise the front axel off the ground, so I use it as a jack, and then block as required to hold the coach while I do what is necessary.

The back axel jacks will not raise it off the ground, so I simply raise it as far as it will, and place blocking to insure I don't cause it to release the air and lower its self. my blocking is 12"X12"X2' wooden blocks