Let's pretend that you had a suspension up-grade and tire change at your local tire shop. And let's say they jacked the coach up by the frame, behind the rear tire. And then let's pretend that after the work was completed, the coachs' front landing gear collapsed and the front of the RV fell to the asphalt. Of course this would cause all the welds up inside the landing gear to break and force the legs up inside the the bedroom floor, causing the floor to have serious damage..........So IF this were to happen, what would you say the best way to jack up a TH, in the future would be?
If'n it was me, I'd have them lift on 4 points. 3-4 feet infront of and 3-4 ft behind the wheels, with 6T or better jacks. But that's me. Been thru one episode of bent axles, don't want to do another.
Lee
2004.5 Dodge 3500 DRW QC, 4x4 LB, CTD 600 ,auto,4.10 , Prodigy, 05 Cedar Creek 36 RLTS w/ lots of bells & whistles .Honda 3000 genset. Mrs Greentow & Missy, Shih Tzu with an attitude. USA(R). 30+ years in the Fire/EMS service. CCRVC #29, GS Life member
Yeah I have a bunch of pics. Not sure how to post them here though. I also worked out a deal with the tire shop. They pay and I don't push the issue any further via small claims. A credit card number was provided to my RV service dept. this afternoon from the tire shop and they are beginning the tear down and repairs as of this reply.
shooters: Hate to read this stuff, but at least the solution is happening as we write. I've been to the Trailair facility in Goshen Indiana and they use a fork-lift with an attachment for the pin of the pin/box to fit into and when they jack the trailer via the frame to drop the running gear off they support the trailer as has been suggested with four big wooden supports that are in sections and they add sections the higher they go while following the height with the fork lift to keep the rig on the level instead of nose down.
You're at that point now where the discussions you'll have with your wife will be "should we trust they've fixed it correctly or should we deal this mother and get another one"! Been there and done that and didn't enjoy the experience so my best wishes are with you folks on this one.
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
'04' International 4400 LoPro 310Hp/950FtLbs 10Spd Harley/RV Toter
'05' Mobile Suites 38RL3
'01' Harley Ultra in the bike barn.
Bruce, thanks for the kind words bud. My dealer is taking pretty good care of us and has our best interest at heart. They have a Master Welder and I've seen the work this guy has done on some race cars. I think it'll all work out ok.
I just want folks to be aware that lifting these monsters, for any reason, can cause enormous damage if done improperly. Not to mention you could kill yourself or someone else if it falls. I didn't want other folks to have their rigs damaged due to someone not knowing the basics of how to lift the coach.
If your rig is sitting on 4 points (front levelers and wheels) and you attempt to lift 1 side there will be either trememdous twist or damage.
There may be 2500-3500 lbs on the front levelers (they are between the pin and wheels and therefore holding more weight than just the pin).
Lifting from 1 side seems it would put tremendous strain on the front levelers on an angle. They are designed to push straight out from their cavity, not from a side.
The only way to avoid twist is change the front supporting points from 2 points to 1...that being the hitch. Whether it is a swivel hitch or not, it will allow enough movement to lift one side without a problem. Just like entering a driveway to a filling station - it will give.
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
shooters wrote: Bruce, thanks for the kind words bud. My dealer is taking pretty good care of us and has our best interest at heart. They have a Master Welder and I've seen the work this guy has done on some race cars. I think it'll all work out ok.
I just want folks to be aware that lifting these monsters, for any reason, can cause enormous damage if done improperly. Not to mention you could kill yourself or someone else if it falls. I didn't want other folks to have their rigs damaged due to someone not knowing the basics of how to lift the coach.
Thanks again.
With an understanding of physics, one can easily understand why the landing gear failed. By jacking at the rear, some of the weight that was carried by the axles, was transferred to the front, overloading the landing gears, causing them to fail. If the RV was attached to the tow vehicle, then that extra weight would have been carried by the truck, and the damaged would have been avoided. Actually, the best place to position a jack is on the frame, FORWARD of the axles. However, care must be exercised because the entire side of the RV is lifted at once, and with a 5th wheel, some extra weight will be transferred to the one landing gear on the opposite side from the jacking point. With a travel trailer, the tongue can actually become free of weight, and the tongue weight is transferred to both sides of the RV frame rail.
If you need more information feel free to PM me.
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edited 08/14/08 03:04pm by an administrator/moderator *
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