Levelling with wheels off ground

[DonTom]

I had a difficult time getting level at this spot. I tried several areas and if I used the auto level thingy, I would get the "excess slope" error.

I finally used my hand tool level I have with me and then I used the jacks indivually until I got it level. But look at my right wheel below, it is several inches off the ground and I now need even need to take a longer step to get out of this motorhome as the front door is now up extra high above the ground there.

Is it okay to leave it like this for a few days & nights? Look at photo below, right front wheel well off the ground:

-Don- Kofa NWF, AZ

 

[Mr Lars]

I would say no. I have been in those situations, actually a lot worse. Levelers are designed to get the unit level, they are not designed for changing a tire. Get some 2x8 and go up just tad further, then slid at least 2, maybe 3 under your front tires, then ease back down on the boards.

 

[DonTom]

I would say no. I have been in those situations, actually a lot worse. Levelers are designed to get the unit level, they are not designed for changing a tire. Get some 2x8 and go up just tad further, then slid at least 2, maybe 3 under your front tires, then ease back down on the boards.

Yeah, I already thought about putting something under the wheel, but there is nothing around here to use.

I will probaby just have to take my chances for the time I am here.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[Mr Lars]

Didn’t bring anything with you? Kinda ill prepared wouldn’t you say?

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

In lieu of blocks for the front you could always break out a shovel and dig a trench for the rear wheels.

Around here it's an unusual site that one or both front wheels are not off the ground. I don't give it a second thought, the jacks are supporting the frame just a few feet back from where the suspension does. The only effect I observe is the more the jacks are extended after the wheel loses contact the more "wiggly" it can get, as there's some flex to the jack and mount assembly. But in my view, putting a block under the tire is psychological, if it's level there's no twisting or undue weight distribution. I carry a spare step to put under the retractable steps so that last step isn't a doozy, and it's that way for the duration of our stay.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[DonTom]

Didn’t bring anything with you? Kinda ill prepared wouldn’t you say?

I didn't expect to need the boards that I left in my Y2K RV. I figured the levelling jacks in this motorhome would be good enough.

Next time I will bring them even in this motorhome which guarantees I will then never need them.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[Professor David]

Interested in other people experience and knowledge about this matter. My experience is similar to MarkB. Currently, one of our wheels is off the ground after leveling (12 days). We have had this situation with one or two wheels off the ground several times before on sites without a problem…without support blocks. My understanding is that this is acceptable.

 

[DonTom]

the jacks are supporting the frame just a few feet back from where the suspension does.

Kinda what I also thought. I doubt there is a big difference in the weight with the wheels off the ground and not--just the extra weight of the wheels themselves.

I assume we are told not to use it for tire changing for safety reasons. I use the jacks for oil and filter changes on this rig, but I also use a 22- ton jackstand in case something fails.

But I am not sure of anything, that is why I decided to ask here.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[Kirk]

Is it okay to leave it like this for a few days & nights?

It should be fine as many people do that a lot longer, but I wouldn't. The only thing you need to be careful of when you lift it off of the suspension is possibly twisting the frame of the RV. As long as you level on direction then the other that shouldn't happen.

I assume we are told not to use it for tire changing for safety reasons.

I believe that is the main reason and the frame issue is the other.

 

[Larry N.]

I had a difficult time getting level at this spot. I tried several areas and if I used the auto level thingy, I would get the "excess slope" error.

I finally used my hand tool level I have with me and then I used the jacks indivually until I got it level. But look at my right wheel below, it is several inches off the ground and I now need even need to take a longer step to get out of this motorhome as the front door is now up extra high above the ground there.

Is it okay to leave it like this for a few days & nights? Look at photo below, right front wheel well off the ground:
View attachment 178260

-Don- Kofa NWF, AZ

Yes, though I'd make sure the rear wheels are chocked, just in case- movement might bend the jack(s). As for the long step, I've always carried a Camco step like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-43676-Adjustable-Height-Aluminum-Platform-Step/54307409

It makes a big difference when needed.

 

[DonTom]

I found this here in a search.

"I personally agree with Power Gear when they say, never lift the wheels off the ground to level the coach as it can create an unstable condition. In addition to being unstable, I think you increase the possibility of twisting and flexing the frame. To me, it’s not worth risking doors and slide-outs not operating properly, the potential for the RV to move, or having the windshield of a motorhome coming out of the frame."

Above is just one guy's opinion. Reading the entire thing, I will say the jury is still out. This rig feels rock stable this way. And even if I shouldn't be doing this, at least it has nothing to do with my own safety.

Looks like I will gamble on this one for a few days or so.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[Professor David]

Y

Yes, though I'd make sure the rear wheels are chocked, just in case- movement might bend the jack(s). As for the long step, I've always carried a Camco step like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-43676-Adjustable-Height-Aluminum-Platform-Step/54307409

It makes a big difference when needed.

We also have one of these and use it all the time. It also good for cleaning the bottoms of ur shoes before entering the rig…being aluminum, it is fairly light and won’t corrode/rust.

 

[Onyrlef]

The rear wheels are what need to stay on the ground ( brakes ). The front wheels, not a big deal.
The instructions not to depend on the leveling jacks for tire changing is for the same reason you're not to depend on them as the sole means of supporting the chassis while you work underneath. It has nothing to do with frame integrity.

 

[DonTom]

We also have one of these and use it all the time.

I have one of those also, but at my Reno home. I no longer use it for anything. I used to use it a lot for getting to thingies on the roof of my Jeep. I no longer have the Jeep.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Maybe you should camp at home. It's where all your camping stuff is.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[DonTom]

"I think you increase the possibility of twisting and flexing the frame."

That doesn't make sense to me. If wheels are a mile high off the ground but the frame is perfectly level, where will the "twisting and flexing" be?

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[DonTom]

Maybe you should camp at home. It's where all your camping stuff is

Yeah, but not always in the correct home either.

-Don- Kofa, NWR, AZ

 

[Onyrlef]

That doesn't make sense to me. If wheels are a mile high off the ground but the frame is perfectly level, where will the "twisting and flexing" be?

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

There won't be, it's just another plausible RV myth that over time morphs to fact.

 

[Domo]

Front wheel(s) off the ground is perfectly fine. We bought an extra step that has folding legs so it can be 4" or 10" off the ground. We've used it many, many times when the front is too high to step comfortably, including both fronts off the ground.

You might consider adding wheel chocks to your kit for those rare instances where you're nervous about to much weight being off the rear/brake tires (yes, you can get the rear off the ground provided you have chocked both the front and back of both front tires securely.

Some folks report they don't care if the rear/brake tires are off the ground as gravity will keep the MH from rolling away. I'm a little more conservative, knowing a bump from a neighbor car or holding a foot race inside the MH might overcome or stress my levelers too much causing one to fail.

 

[Kirk]

If wheels are a mile high off the ground but the frame is perfectly level, where will the "twisting and flexing" be?

The key is "the frame is perfectly level." Even close to level probably wouldn't twist the frame but in the process of leveling might be possible. I did once see a Foretravel with automatic leveling where something went wrong, and the thing was hunting with jacks going up and down and before the owner got it stopped the windshield was laying on the ground in front of it. I suspect that was caused by twisting, but as an observer I do not know for sure.