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Jacks and Stands .... [message #326810] Wed, 06 December 2017 15:17 Go to next message
Dutch Marc is currently offline  Dutch Marc   United States
Messages: 101
Registered: March 2017
Location: Full TIme Nomad
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Hi Everyone (Wanted to start of Hi Guys, but know there there are ladies here as well)

I am getting my tools in order for my 73 GMC, I have a 4T Bottle Jack, and need some input on a Floor Jack. I have a 2T and a 2.5T low Profile.

Since I like the size and weight of the 2 Ton a lot better, would this be nuf for using on my GMC to get the bottle jack in place. I have used the 2T once when my airbag hose got kinked and didn't want to inflate. I was able to lift the Coach and get the issues solved.

Not sure if there are any other repairs that I might encounter on the road that I would need a 2.5 T or lower profile.

As a Newbie I would also like to know if a pair of 3 Ton Stands are enough to keep the GMC lifted or do I need o go to the bigger and heavier 6 TONS?

Any input is appreciated !

Grtx Marc


1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302) Full Time GMC Nomad ('98 NL 2 USA)
Re: Jacks and Stands .... [message #326811 is a reply to message #326810] Wed, 06 December 2017 15:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
77Royale   United States
Messages: 461
Registered: June 2014
Location: Mid Michigan
Karma: 6
Senior Member
For stuff around the house you cannot go wrong in building a set of ramps. They are awesome once you have them and make life much easier. There are directions on the photo site.

For on the road. I would get a 6 ton two stage bottle jack. Jim K sells them, or Menards.com on line have have it shipped. Torin Big Red Jacks. The two stage is what you want.

Then get a jack hook Again, Jim K Sells those.

The weight of the bottle jack and hook is less than a floor jack, and Stores well in the coach and will get a corner off the ground even with a flat airbag. I would not want to mess with anything else.

For stuff around the house when the bottle jack is in the coach. Get a 3 ton or more floor jack. Harbor freight has them on sale usually with a 20% off coupon. That will also lift a corner as needed.

Jack Stands. Build them, or go with 6 ton units. Rather have more than enough than be squashed.

I have a heavy Royale and the 3 ton floor jack is working to get a rear corner up. 6 ton bottle, no sweat.


77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy. Mid Michigan
Re: Jacks and Stands .... [message #326813 is a reply to message #326810] Wed, 06 December 2017 17:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

I have had my coach weighed a number of years back at the GMCMI in Pueblo. All six wheels have within a few pounds of 2000# on them. I use an older Craftsman 3.5-ton floor jack to jack it up, the front in the center of the crossmember, and the back under the bogie frames, one side at a time. It is a chore to lift it at those points even though the 6000# rated jack is 'only' lifting 4000# at those points.

I also carry a 6-ton bottle jack and one of these: http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/955 along with one of these: http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1080

I recently had to use the jack hook and the stubby two-stage jack to get the coach up when I blew a hole in an air line, and was glad I had them with me.

For jack stands, I use a pair of 3-ton units for the front and a pair of 6-tons for the rear.

Just what I do.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[Updated on: Wed, 06 December 2017 22:02]

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Re: Jacks and Stands .... [message #326814 is a reply to message #326813] Wed, 06 December 2017 17:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

Carl S. wrote on Wed, 06 December 2017 16:31
I have had my coach weighed a number of years back at the GMCMI in Pueblo. All six wheels have within a few pounds of 2000# on them. I use an older Craftsman 3.5-ton floor jack to jack it up, the front in the center of the crossmember, and the back under the bogie frames, one side at a time. It is a chore to lift it at those points even though the 6000# rated jack is 'only' lifting 4000# at those points.

I also carry a 6-ton bottle jack and one of these: http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/955 along with one of these: http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1080

I recently had to use the jack hook and the stubby two-stage jack to get the coach up when I blew a hole in an air line, and was glad I had them with me.

For jack stands, I use a pair of 3-ton units for the front and a pair of 6-tons for the rear.

Just what I do.


For emailers, that should read: All six wheels have within a few pounds of 2000# on them.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[Updated on: Wed, 06 December 2017 22:03]

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Re: [GMCnet] Jacks and Stands .... [message #326815 is a reply to message #326810] Wed, 06 December 2017 17:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard Denney is currently offline  Richard Denney   United States
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Marc, the whole front weighs 4000-4500 pounds, so 2 tons is not enough for
lifting the front of the coach from the center of the crossmember to put on
jackstands. I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 3-ton jack for that, and
mine is 3-1/2 tons.

A heavy coach is about 4000 pounds per rear corner, but that's only when
the coach is level. As you jack up a rear corner, the front corner on the
same side will come with it, so the load will be greater. Again, I wouldn't
use anything less than a 3-ton jack.

A 6-ton bottle jack and a jack hook is very much the better option for the
rear, and probably cheaper, too. The right kind of jack hook can also work
in the front.

Rick "who needs another two-stage bottle jack" Denney


On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 3:18 PM Dutch Marc wrote:

> Hi Everyone (Wanted to start of Hi Guys, but know there there are ladies
> here as well)
>
> I am getting my tools in order for my 73 GMC, I have a 4T Bottle Jack, and
> need some input on a Floor Jack. I have a 2T and a 2.5T low Profile.
>
> Since I like the size and weight of the 2 Ton a lot better, would this be
> nuf for using on my GMC to get the bottle jack in place. I have used the 2T
> once when my airbag hose got kinked and didn't want to inflate. I was able
> to lift the Coach and get the issues solved.
>
> Not sure if there are any other repairs that I might encounter on the road
> that I would need a 2.5 T or lower profile.
>
> As a Newbie I would also like to know if a pair of 3 Ton Stands are enough
> to keep the GMC lifted or do I need o go to the bigger and heavier 6 TONS?
>
> Any input is appreciated !
>
> Grtx Marc
> --
> 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com
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Re: Jacks and Stands .... [message #326816 is a reply to message #326810] Wed, 06 December 2017 18:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
Messages: 781
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Isn't there a limitation that when jacking up the front end only lift from the center, or equally from the sides to keep level, so not to pop out the windshield?

Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas
Re: [GMCnet] Jacks and Stands .... [message #326820 is a reply to message #326816] Wed, 06 December 2017 18:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Scott,

You can jack up either side enough to allow R&Ring a tire without having to worry about the windshields. You jack up the side just
enough to get the tire off the studs and but the new one on.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808



-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Nutter
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2017 6:03 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Jacks and Stands ....

Isn't there a limitation that when jacking up the front end only lift from the center, or equally from the sides to keep level, so
not to pop out the
windshield?
--
Scott Nutter


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Jacks and Stands .... [message #326821 is a reply to message #326810] Wed, 06 December 2017 18:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Marc,

The 2.5 ton floor jack is OK to use on the front end under the main crossover; while the 2 ton works you are lifting more than you
should with that jack.

Frankly you would be better off getting one of these:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-low-profile-steel-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61282.html

These jack stands are fine as well:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-steel-jack-stands-61196.html

However, there is an advantage to the 6 tons stands - they can go higher.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808



-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Dutch Marc
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2017 3:17 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Jacks and Stands ....

Hi Everyone (Wanted to start of Hi Guys, but know there there are ladies here as well)

I am getting my tools in order for my 73 GMC, I have a 4T Bottle Jack, and need some input on a Floor Jack. I have a 2T and a 2.5T
low Profile.

Since I like the size and weight of the 2 Ton a lot better, would this be nuf for using on my GMC to get the bottle jack in place.
I have used the 2T once when my airbag hose got kinked and didn't want to inflate. I was able to lift the Coach and get the issues
solved.

Not sure if there are any other repairs that I might encounter on the road that I would need a 2.5 T or lower profile.

As a Newbie I would also like to know if a pair of 3 Ton Stands are enough to keep the GMC lifted or do I need o go to the bigger
and heavier 6 TONS?

Any input is appreciated !

Grtx Marc


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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: Jacks and Stands .... [message #327004 is a reply to message #326810] Mon, 11 December 2017 10:41 Go to previous message
Dutch Marc is currently offline  Dutch Marc   United States
Messages: 101
Registered: March 2017
Location: Full TIme Nomad
Karma: 1
Senior Member
O, hi there again. Great input from all of you guys.

I like the idea of having some ramps at home. ... But ... Since I am a full timer in my Coach I wont have the storage space for it.... Love my GMC so ... Sold my home and took off Smile

I checked again and my Jack is a 4 Ton bottle jack, Seems to have 1 stage .... Since I have this I would like to keep using it instead of replacing ot for a 6 T.

I understand that the 6T stands might be a better option for using them on the back and be able to lift the coach higher. Even these a bigger in size to store, I think I get me some of those.

About the hook .... Since I got a 2,5 Floor jack, (pretty low profile) I was thinking about using this to get into low spaces when needed and the using the bottle jack to go further up is needed...

I like the small size of the 2.5T floor jack, I am wondering if I should replace the 2.5T floor jack with a hook instead.

Just try to make sure that I have the right tools needed to get under the coach when needed....

Thanks & Grtx Dutch Marc Cool





1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302) Full Time GMC Nomad ('98 NL 2 USA)
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