parking with front wheels off the ground

[anon125]

i have seen many times that in unlevel sites people park on their jacks with the front wheels in the air.

will this buckle the chassis or something?
thanks all

[mikim]

I have done it, but I do not like it. I now carry blocks of wood to drive up on and then I level.

You never want the rear wheels up as this is where your parking brake is.

I have heard that raising the front wheels up well not hurt the frame, but I just do not trust the philosophy. Better safe than sorry.

[j-d]

This illustrates my beef with hydraulic levelers on a Class C, especially a short one. We had a 24-ft C. The jacks are on such a narrow chassis, and the front jacks are close to the rear of the cab (behind the heavy engine). It was not uncommon to have a front wheel off the ground on even a reasonably level site. With the rear jacks so close together side-to-side, we got about half the lift we wanted for one side showing up on the other side. We'd get level needing a stool at the entrance steps and one front wheel off the ground. More often than not, we drive up onto 2*8 blocks. Steadier on blocks too. The kick-down jacks often used on C's allow a lot of wobble.

[dgodinez]

Another note worth mentioning is that the manual for my levelers actually tell me if one or two wheels are off the ground then to manually lower it so that they don't. I hope this helps.

[kalynzoo]

Very seldom will I accept such a site, but when required I raise the front beyond what is needed, insert my Lego like blocks under the wheels, and then lower to level. Makes me more comfortable to know my wheels are secure.

[Twomed]

BAD idea JMHO. Those things people call jacks are levelers, supposed to move suspension to level chassis, not raise the coach off the ground. Just what the leveler manufacturers put in their manuals...but what do they know??

Some folks do it but some folks do lots of stuff. Again JMHO and what the manual says.

[Bill_Satellite]

There's nothing wrong with lifting the front wheels if you have a 2 point jack up front. I am sure someone is going to say that the tripod (single front) is OK too but I don't like the idea and cannot imagine it being stable.
2 jacks on the ground or 2 tires on the ground will have the exact same effect on the chassis. Just don't ever raise the rear wheels off the ground!!!!

[dgodinez]

I try not to do it at all. When we did our walkthrough the guys said it is not good and will cause damage in the long run. I took his word for it and like I said I try to avoid the wheels off at all cost.

[John_Joey]

I've done it, but don't like it.

The good news is I had a F53 that road absolutely terrible. When I had the front end off the ground for a week (I was in a monthly park) I heard a big bang from the front. Then about three days later another big bang.

When I left that park the F53 rode 10 times nicer. Turns out the shackle on the front leaf springs were corroded shut limiting the leaf's flex. Having those heavy tires off the ground broke the rust loose allowing the leaf springs to flatten while on the road.

[travelzoo]

I've been on sites many times where I ended up with one or both fronts off the ground. I see no problem, if the frame is strong enough to suppose the front axle, it's strong enough to hold up with two jacks. Don't raise the rear tires off the ground.

[jmac]

I can't see where it would do any good, I would never do it on my DP. Posssible damage?? Don't know. I would ask for another site or go on down the road.

jmac

[the_bear_II]

No