|
|
07-20-2017, 04:32 PM
|
#1
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Leveling Ground / Leveling Bus
(I'm not talking about a completed skoolie)
I'm working with a fairly sloped parking for my conversion, and moving it isn't an option. Any ideas to get some level ground?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-20-2017, 04:38 PM
|
#2
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
|
Something like this: https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jack...hoCGjAQAvD_BwE
Or make your own out of lengths of 2x6. That is what I did.
|
|
|
07-20-2017, 04:59 PM
|
#3
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
|
i suppose driving it onto boards on one side, or jacking n blocking up is out of the question...
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
|
|
|
07-20-2017, 05:06 PM
|
#4
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chev49
i suppose driving it onto boards on one side, or jacking n blocking up is out of the question...
|
I was thinking of using stacks of scrap plywood I have laying around - it's thick, 3/4 I think.
Chev49, I've been toying with the idea... I just don't have too much room to move. I think its ultimately the way to go, whether with my own blocked ramps or purchase some fancy ones
I figured a quick post might entice some interesting ideas too
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-20-2017, 05:50 PM
|
#5
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
|
Have you thought of some heavy duty bottle jacks to lift it and then block it when level? Should be able to rent them if not find some to buy.
John
__________________
Question everything!
|
|
|
07-20-2017, 08:27 PM
|
#6
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
|
Scoot the bus forward 4', dig out about 6" of dirt, form and pour a 4 ft square pad to back up on. Just be sure to get the surface level with the existing driveway and add an "X" of rebar in the center of the pour and you will be good to go. Each pad will use a little less than a cubic yard of concrete if the level of the drive isn't a whole lot higher than the original dirt Jack.
|
|
|
07-20-2017, 11:32 PM
|
#7
|
Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
|
Any railroad ties laying around?
|
|
|
07-21-2017, 06:23 AM
|
#8
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty
Any railroad ties laying around?
|
No railroad ties
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-21-2017, 06:32 AM
|
#9
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 774
Year: 2002
Coachwork: International
Engine: dt466
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
|
Good thread...I'm in the same predicament. Waiting for more suggestions....
I do like the link you posted PNW_Steve.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
|
|
|
07-21-2017, 07:46 AM
|
#10
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 502
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 5.9L
Rated Cap: 77
|
ive had the same problem. easy fix but a hard hour of shoveling. dig under the tires lol. thats what i did. then when i needed to get up i just made the hole into more of a ramp and out it went.
i had to make my front even with the back and dug a good 1' by 2' hole for each front tire and it fits right in. this may not help if you dont have your own property though.
|
|
|
07-21-2017, 10:17 AM
|
#11
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salt Lake City Utah
Posts: 1,635
Year: 2000
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: ISC 8.3
|
If digging a hole isn't an option, maybe the inverse is: make a pile of rocks and gravel. When building such a pile on soil, especially soft soil, start with larger rocks (2+ inches diameter) on the soil and put smaller stuff on top to make it smoother. The site OP pictured looks kind of woodsy; maybe suitable rocks can be found around the yard. Some in the picture looked a bit angular or sharp; it's probably good to minimize use of those to avoid having one get turned pointy end up and puncturing a tire.
|
|
|
07-21-2017, 12:57 PM
|
#12
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BurlKing
ive had the same problem. easy fix but a hard hour of shoveling. dig under the tires lol. thats what i did. then when i needed to get up i just made the hole into more of a ramp and out it went.
i had to make my front even with the back and dug a good 1' by 2' hole for each front tire and it fits right in. this may not help if you dont have your own property though.
|
Unfortunately I'm working with 4 of 6 tires on concrete...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-21-2017, 12:59 PM
|
#13
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by family wagon
If digging a hole isn't an option, maybe the inverse is: make a pile of rocks and gravel. When building such a pile on soil, especially soft soil, start with larger rocks (2+ inches diameter) on the soil and put smaller stuff on top to make it smoother. The site OP pictured looks kind of woodsy; maybe suitable rocks can be found around the yard. Some in the picture looked a bit angular or sharp; it's probably good to minimize use of those to avoid having one get turned pointy end up and puncturing a tire.
|
Great idea! Considering this too. Avoiding sharp sandstone here is no easy feat, but I'm sure I can find something.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-22-2017, 11:45 PM
|
#14
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Kemper County, MS
Posts: 43
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chev49
i suppose driving it onto boards on one side, or jacking n blocking up is out of the question...
|
That would be my first idea too.
__________________
Just starting out. Hope I can help others and learn.
My twitter: @DixieBushcraft
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DixieBushcraft/
|
|
|
07-23-2017, 07:57 AM
|
#15
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
|
Ditto here. Why can't it just be jacked up and cribbed?
|
|
|
07-23-2017, 09:23 AM
|
#16
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
Ditto here. Why can't it just be jacked up and cribbed?
|
My jacks capacity is only 2 ton. Wouldn't I need something heavier duty?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-23-2017, 10:48 AM
|
#17
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
|
Why not just work on it the way it is for now? Many suggestions have come to you and there aren't many more except for a crane, skyhook or a chopper to lift it.
My front end is 2 feet lower than the rear and it doesn't bother me to work on it. Yours should be a piece of cake.
Conversions do cost some $$ to do.
John
__________________
Question everything!
|
|
|
07-23-2017, 11:02 AM
|
#18
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 36
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 83
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackJohn
Why not just work on it the way it is for now? Many suggestions have come to you and there aren't many more except for a crane, skyhook or a chopper to lift it.
My front end is 2 feet lower than the rear and it doesn't bother me to work on it. Yours should be a piece of cake.
Conversions do cost some $$ to do.
John
|
I hear ya John, I'm going to contact my local airport for an available heli
LOL
Seriously though, I've been working with it and it's... ok.
Thank you everyone for sharing suggestions!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
https://www.amelia-bartlett.com/the-skoolie/
|
|
|
07-23-2017, 11:50 AM
|
#19
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hobotang
My jacks capacity is only 2 ton. Wouldn't I need something heavier duty?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
you can buy a 20 ton bottle jack from harbor freight pretty cheap.. or wait.. you are in knoxville right now right? I could bring you mine to borrow to get your bus cribbed.. when im on my way back to florida. (jack it up then crib under it then jack down)..
-Christopher
|
|
|
07-23-2017, 11:51 AM
|
#20
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
|
as far as level.. I think having it level, at least a whole axle makes sense fro ma body flex point of view.. and for sure if its going to get a roof-raise.
-Christopher
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|