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Old 08-04-2017, 09:24 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Leveling Jacks?

Has anyone ever used RV automatic leveling jacks on there bus? I was kicking around the idea for my International IC RE with a full basement. What are the other leveling alternatives?

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Old 08-04-2017, 09:29 AM   #2
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I've seen guys use manual crank scissor Jacks with wood underneath or pulling up or backing onto 2x6s to level the rig out, I would recommend the jack system because it stabilizes the bus if you don't have the thing jacked up in likes to bounce on the suspension a little.
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Old 08-04-2017, 11:39 AM   #3
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I have scissor jacks on the rear bolted to the frame
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Old 08-04-2017, 01:17 PM   #4
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I'm toying with the idea of using semi-trailer landing gear. One in the front and two at the back will avoid twisting the bus on uneven ground, they have plenty of capacity for my bus's weight, they don't need hydraulics and pump and valves and god knows what else, and used ones are not expensive. With drive extensions reaching the outside of the bus I could use my old heavy-duty drill to quickly run them up or down, then use the hand crank just for the last bit down.

Has anyone here done anything like this?

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Old 08-04-2017, 01:50 PM   #5
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So I think you will find it more cumbersome and bulky and 3-400 lb of extra weight that you don't want, there are smaller variations of the semi truck trailer Dolly setup that you can look at, I have seen them on the back of a straight truck that is loaded by a fork truck to endure the weight.
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Old 08-04-2017, 04:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papajoe View Post
Has anyone ever used RV automatic leveling jacks on there bus? I was kicking around the idea for my International IC RE with a full basement. What are the other leveling alternatives?
Howdy PapaJoe!

I have not yet done it but I am looking really hard at the BigFoot Class A leveling system:

Diesel Pusher / Class-A Bus

I had automatic levelers on my last motorhome and miss them. I like the above system from BigFoot as it does not require a bunch of hydraulic hoses to be run everywhere (but does require electric - which I find easier).

Another option, if you have air suspension, is to modify it to level. I considered that but I'm afraid I would really mess up my computer controlled air system.

Just some thoughts....
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Old 08-05-2017, 02:16 AM   #7
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Howdy PapaJoe!

I have not yet done it but I am looking really hard at the BigFoot Class A leveling system:

Diesel Pusher / Class-A Bus
$5G's...ouch. It is easier to run the electrical lines, but hydraulic mechanism would weather the elements better than 4 DC motors, I'd assume.

What we really ought to do is collectively research a system and do a group buy. We get 5 or 6 people on board and have some bargaining power.

My brother-in-law owns an electronics manufacturing facility and one of his products is RV levelers....time for a beer w/ BIL, me thinks.
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Old 08-05-2017, 09:15 AM   #8
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I'm interested in a group buy Rusty. However; I may have requirements that differ a bit from the norm.

I need at least 15,000 lbs jacks (and 17k lb is preferred).
I would really like a 24VDC system - especially the pump(s).
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Old 08-05-2017, 09:34 AM   #9
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I would be interested as well.
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Old 02-14-2019, 01:12 PM   #10
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What happened with this??
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