MH levelers

[noplace2]

Admittedly, although I owned a MH many years ago, it did not have levelers and I don't have experience otherwise.

We frequently see MH's that are jacked up off the ground via the levelers, sometimes as much as a foot, even supporting the engine. Not attempting in any way to be contentious, just curious. Is that what those jacks are intended to do?

[Dutch_12078]

I don't normally recommend lifting the entire coach off the ground with the leveling jacks, although it is done at times for tire changes. Jack stands should always be used in that situation of course. Lifting the lighter front end off the ground should not cause any problems under most circumstances though.

[capndan77]

My concern would be a sustained strong wind blowing against the coach side and hoping that those four relatively spindly legs would keep me in place. Scary decision.

[John___Angela]

I don't know of any system that suggests lifting the rig off the ground with the levelers. Having said that, like Bumpy mentioned there has been the odd occasion where we took the front off the ground an inch or so. Never the back.

[Dutch_12078]

noplace2 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
The lifting capacity of my leveling jacks far exceeds the weight of the coach, so I'm not concerned when it's necessary to lift one or both front wheels off the ground to get the rig level.

Again, not trying to be argumentative, but how do you know this? I seriously want to know where the lifting capacity of these jacks is stated and whether they are rated for sustained lift. Thanks

Quadra Manufacturing, the maker of my Bigfoot leveling jacks, rates each of the four dual acting cylinders for a 12,275 lb continuous load at 2500 PSI. That's a 49,100 lb total lifting capacity supporting my 18,000 lb coach. They also make 17,600 lb rated cylinders, but that would probably be a tad overkill for my coach. :B

Bigfoot QE1 Series jacks

[noplace2]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
The lifting capacity of my leveling jacks far exceeds the weight of the coach, so I'm not concerned when it's necessary to lift one or both front wheels off the ground to get the rig level.

Again, not trying to be argumentative, but how do you know this? I seriously want to know where the lifting capacity of these jacks is stated and whether they are rated for sustained lift. Thanks

[Dutch_12078]

The lifting capacity of my leveling jacks far exceeds the weight of the coach, so I'm not concerned when it's necessary to lift one or both front wheels off the ground to get the rig level.

[capndan77]

Not usually recommended as they are not designed to exclusively hold the weight of the coach without tire contact. That said, I have, on occasion lifted one tire off the ground to obtain level. Look at the diameter of your Jack legs and consider the weight of your coach, then decide whether you are willing to risk it. I too have seen coaches with ALL four wheels off the ground!

[Johno02]

I am guilty also, but only in rare cases. With manual jacks, I try to extend only enough to level or if the pad is level, just to stabilize. In my drive at home, I have to fully extend the front jacks to level for the fridge, but try to keep the tires on the ground.

[Bumpyroad]

I have on occasion lifted the front tires on my MH off the ground.
bumpy