Why?

[67Cutlass]

Not trying to be critical here. But really is this necessary?

I have stayed in the site in the photo and can personally say that this site is almost perfectly level. I really don't understand the need for blocks or having the front wheels in the air. And by the looks of it, those rear tires are barely on the ground.

But then again not my business...

[Pangaea_Ron]

So where does the side loading come from that people are talking about? Gravity is inevitable, and vertical. With the front high, the CG (center of gravity) loading would move a bit aft, but it would be minuscule, and not compromise loading on the levelers.

Lateral loads would be from external forces (earthquake, wind, ??) and would be outside our normal expectations and experience. Although, I do have a friend that experienced significant damage from the Northridge Earthquake in CA while elevated on jacks that collapsed.

I often create drawings from photographs, and the site does seem to slope toward the water, and the MH may indeed be level. I would expect that the owner used the automatic leveling option, and this was it's solution. Is it right, perhaps not, but is probably OK without unusual forces that would not normally be encountered.

I would feel comfortable with this setup, would sleep well, and would very much enjoy the view.

[Lobstah]

I just don't see where this person has done anything wrong. He chalked his rears, they leveled the coach to what THEY felt was correct. Wheels off the ground have been discussed ad nauseum in this forum, and there are obviously different opinions.
I know the rating on my jacks. I challenge you to find a motorhome where the carrying capacity of the jacks don't exceed the weight of the coach.

Happy motoring, and to each their own 🙂

Jim

[RandACampin]

msmith1199 wrote:
... The photo being talked about is the wrong way to set up a motorhome...

Really? According to who or more importantly what specifically says that's the wrong way to do it?

[tatest]

Just because the site looks level to you, does not mean that RV is level on that site. Many ride front low. As do most passenger coaches.

[msmith1199]

CT_WANDERER wrote:
I know when I was working we had mobile cranes. We had to have all wheels of the ground with the jack holding it up, to have a level and stable platform. Why would it be different with the MH, if all the wheels are off the ground and level? I like it when the MH is level and very stable, no rocking when moving around inside. I keep the lift to a minimum to get to this point. My only concern is when the MH gets too high off the ground. Just a different view.

Because jacks on motorhomes are not designed for side loads. Jacks on mobile cranes are designed for side loads and are completely different types of jacks for a completely different purpose.

[CT_WANDERER]

I know when I was working we had mobile cranes. We had to have all wheels of the ground with the jack holding it up, to have a level and stable platform. Why would it be different with the MH, if all the wheels are off the ground and level? I like it when the MH is level and very stable, no rocking when moving around inside. I keep the lift to a minimum to get to this point. My only concern is when the MH gets too high off the ground. Just a different view.

[Mr_Mark1]

Lobstah wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

Lobstah wrote:
Is the owner causing damage to his motorhome?...no
Is the owner causing damage to your motorhome?...no.

And the issue is?

Jim

The issue is this is a forum to discuss issues related to motorhomes and to help educate people about motorhomes and their use. The photo being talked about is the wrong way to set up a motorhome so it is a very good discussion to have. And as to your question about is he damaging his motorhome? The answer is maybe. Jacks are designed for a straight up and down load, not a side load. When you start lifting tires off the ground, especially all four, you increase the potential for side load damage.

I am really not trying to be argumentative here, so please understand my question.
The OP stated the site is nearly level. If all 6 wheels are in the air, where is the side load coming from? On an very unlevel site, I understand your point.

He's on a level site, and he raised his coach higher than some folks THINK is necessary.

Jim

Jim, I understand what you are saying. If the site IS level, then all of his fuel, holding tank and fresh water are pushing the weight backwards.

MM.

[msmith1199]

Lobstah wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

Lobstah wrote:
Is the owner causing damage to his motorhome?...no
Is the owner causing damage to your motorhome?...no.

And the issue is?

Jim

The issue is this is a forum to discuss issues related to motorhomes and to help educate people about motorhomes and their use. The photo being talked about is the wrong way to set up a motorhome so it is a very good discussion to have. And as to your question about is he damaging his motorhome? The answer is maybe. Jacks are designed for a straight up and down load, not a side load. When you start lifting tires off the ground, especially all four, you increase the potential for side load damage.

I am really not trying to be argumentative here, so please understand my question.
The OP stated the site is nearly level. If all 6 wheels are in the air, where is the side load coming from? On an very unlevel site, I understand your point.

He's on a level site, and he raised his coach higher than some folks THINK is necessary.

Jim

The side load could come from the wind? Also the OP says it's level based on simply looking at it. Something that looks level could be off by a degree or two. Is that enough to snap your jacks off? I have no idea. Could the wind blow enough to snap them off or would it require a hurricane? I have no idea. I don't want to find out. The message I would hope people take from this thread is there is no reason to level your motorhome like this person did. Why he did it, I have no idea. If you are on a site where you need to lift the front wheels off the ground, then the rear wheels should be firmly planted on the ground. On a site like that the higher you raise the rear, than the higher you have to raise the front off the ground.

Somebody mentioned the jacks only adjust up and not down. That is how mine are. If I go too high I can't just let them back down a little. If I push the button the drop to the bottom. On more that once occasion I have done that and just started over with the leveling process.

[Lobstah]

msmith1199 wrote:

Lobstah wrote:
Is the owner causing damage to his motorhome?...no
Is the owner causing damage to your motorhome?...no.

And the issue is?

Jim

The issue is this is a forum to discuss issues related to motorhomes and to help educate people about motorhomes and their use. The photo being talked about is the wrong way to set up a motorhome so it is a very good discussion to have. And as to your question about is he damaging his motorhome? The answer is maybe. Jacks are designed for a straight up and down load, not a side load. When you start lifting tires off the ground, especially all four, you increase the potential for side load damage.

I am really not trying to be argumentative here, so please understand my question.
The OP stated the site is nearly level. If all 6 wheels are in the air, where is the side load coming from? On an very unlevel site, I understand your point.

He's on a level site, and he raised his coach higher than some folks THINK is necessary.

Jim

[enblethen]

My HWH has four levelers. It is not possible to lift just one. You must lift either the front or rear.
You can raise front, back or sides separately.
I believe this is to prevent twisting of some frames.
My rig has a drive line parking brake and kick down levelers. If I raise the rear to much and get the weight off the rear it will roll in the direction of the grade. Of course, straight acting jacks will not under normal conditions do this.
By setting the front jacks first and then the rear, the rig is more stable and does not lift rig off the ground.

[msmith1199]

Lobstah wrote:
Is the owner causing damage to his motorhome?...no
Is the owner causing damage to your motorhome?...no.

And the issue is?

Jim

The issue is this is a forum to discuss issues related to motorhomes and to help educate people about motorhomes and their use. The photo being talked about is the wrong way to set up a motorhome so it is a very good discussion to have. And as to your question about is he damaging his motorhome? The answer is maybe. Jacks are designed for a straight up and down load, not a side load. When you start lifting tires off the ground, especially all four, you increase the potential for side load damage.

[Lobstah]

I'd still like someone to explain the physics of how that could be possible.
OP stated that the site is fairly level. If all 6 wheels were hanging in the air, the entire weight of the coach is pushing straight down on the jacks.
That coach isn't going anywhere.

Jim

[Mr_Mark1]

Lobstah wrote:
Is the owner causing damage to his motorhome?...no
Is the owner causing damage to your motorhome?...no.

And the issue is?

Jim

Jim, I think most of us are talking about the 'potential' of damage. Maybe five minutes after the shot the motorhome fell off the stands/blocks. Who knows?

MM.

[Lobstah]

Is the owner causing damage to his motorhome?...no
Is the owner causing damage to your motorhome?...no.

And the issue is?

Jim