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Leveling jacks [message #285399] Wed, 19 August 2015 16:18 Go to next message
LarryInSanDiego is currently offline  LarryInSanDiego   United States
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Some time ago I remember reading about someone installing those electric RV leveling jacks on their GMC. I can't locate it via search, so maybe I'm using the wrong search words. My wife doesn't like movement of the GMC when people are going in and out, walking around inside, etc.

I've been using those aluminum WalMart triangle type screw pedestal things that require me to crawl under to ensure they're lifting at appropriate locations. Low cost solutions most welcome! Thanks in advance.



Larry Engelbrecht San Diego, CA '73 26' ex-Glacier TZE063V100319 03/07/73
Re: Leveling jacks [message #285401 is a reply to message #285399] Wed, 19 August 2015 17:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
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LarryInSanDiego wrote on Wed, 19 August 2015 16:18
Some time ago I remember reading about someone installing those electric RV leveling jacks on their GMC. I can't locate it via search, so maybe I'm using the wrong search words. My wife doesn't like movement of the GMC when people are going in and out, walking around inside, etc.

I've been using those aluminum WalMart triangle type screw pedestal things that require me to crawl under to ensure they're lifting at appropriate locations. Low cost solutions most welcome! Thanks in advance.



Larry

I can't pull up the album on my phone -- search the photo site for leveling jacks and view Jim Wagners project.

Dennis


Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: Leveling jacks [message #285403 is a reply to message #285401] Wed, 19 August 2015 17:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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I use a small bottle jack, or screw jack to do the same thing. Slide it under the rear boggie, a little pressure lift and the coach is solid, no rocking.
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: [GMCnet] Leveling jacks [message #285404 is a reply to message #285401] Wed, 19 August 2015 17:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mjbourgon is currently offline  mjbourgon   United States
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When I did my coach one of the main gripes my wife had was the night
time motion of the coach when we used the bathroom. I bought small
electric scissor jacks from northern tool, welded them to an large angle
iron and bolted them to the chassis. I set two small switches in the
rear bumper area and they work great. All told the jacks where about 70$
each and all told this cost less than $ 200.00. No big deal
Marcel

On 8/19/2015 4:19 PM, Dennis Sexton wrote:
> LarryInSanDiego wrote on Wed, 19 August 2015 16:18
>> Some time ago I remember reading about someone installing those electric RV leveling jacks on their GMC. I can't locate it via search, so maybe
>> I'm using the wrong search words. My wife doesn't like movement of the GMC when people are going in and out, walking around inside, etc.
>>
>> I've been using those aluminum WalMart triangle type screw pedestal things that require me to crawl under to ensure they're lifting at appropriate
>> locations. Low cost solutions most welcome! Thanks in advance.
>
> Larry
>
> I can't pull up the album on my phone -- search the photo site for leveling jacks and view Jim Wagners project.
>
> Dennis
>


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Re: Leveling jacks [message #285405 is a reply to message #285399] Wed, 19 August 2015 18:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Wagner is currently offline  Jim Wagner   United States
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Location: Brook Park, Oh
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Larry, Here are my photos showing the jacks I installed. You could also use one of these jacks centered in the front. One of these jack will easily lift the front of the GMC.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4575-rear-jacks-26amp-3b-4-bag.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3593-front-leveling-jacks.html
Jim Wagner
Re: Leveling jacks [message #285406 is a reply to message #285399] Wed, 19 August 2015 20:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
habbyguy is currently offline  habbyguy   United States
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My PO installed a fairly big set of rollers under the rear frame (to keep the frame from bottoming when pulling out of / into parking lots). I just get the tail a little high when I level it at the campground, slide a few bits of wood under the roller (I carry small pieces of 2x8's, 2x4's, and 1x4's). I just stack 'em in until it's close to snug, then let a little air out and voila, the coach is rock-solid. Well, technically it can still move a little if you really hop around up front, but that just never seems to be much of an issue, since I never notice (I really DO notice the back moving without blocks, though that doesn't really bother me too much either).

Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
Re: [GMCnet] Leveling jacks [message #285409 is a reply to message #285399] Wed, 19 August 2015 21:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Larry,

Chuck Aulgur installed these on the rear:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/electric-parking-brake/p28660-new-electric-parking-brake.html

He also had some in front but I don't know where to find photos of his setup.

Ragusa sells these:

http://www.ragusarv.com/

RV-104S Anti Rock Stabilizer Kit $99.00

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic


-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Engelbrecht

Some time ago I remember reading about someone installing those electric RV leveling jacks on their GMC. I can't locate it via
search, so maybe I'm using the wrong search words. My wife doesn't like movement of the GMC when people are going in and out,
walking around inside, etc.

I've been using those aluminum WalMart triangle type screw pedestal things that require me to crawl under to ensure they're lifting
at appropriate locations. Low cost solutions most welcome! Thanks in advance.

Larry


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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: Leveling jacks [message #285439 is a reply to message #285399] Thu, 20 August 2015 09:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chris Tyler is currently offline  Chris Tyler   United States
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Those both look viable for stabilizing. Chucks looks like an adapted tongue jack and workable
Neither would be too useful for true leveling as the capacity and travel is probably insufficient
Both Hydraulic and electric levelers are available, even automatic versions. They are expensive and complex to install.
I have never seen a set on a GMC. In fact , they may be too low to use them without modification... Someone can probably weigh in on that

Those with electric only fridges don't have to worry about level quite so much.

The cheapest solution may be trailer type scissor stabilizers. Again, not so much for leveling but for stabilizing.
They do still require manual crankng, but simple to mount


76 Glenbrook
Re: Leveling jacks [message #285442 is a reply to message #285399] Thu, 20 August 2015 09:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Larry,

I could be wrong (that has happened), but I believe that the coach with the built in jacks was Ted Stinnett. I believe that there is another, but I can't drag that out of the memory just now. Maybe Jim Wagner???

We carry an assortment of wood blocks. If we are going to be someplace for a while (like an international), I will either use the air to lift the coach and set it back down on blocks that I have placed under the bogie or will use the pair of salvaged scissor jacks for the same purpose. I like the blocks better because they won't tip over, but they do take longer to set up.

Matt

LarryInSanDiego wrote on Wed, 19 August 2015 17:18
Some time ago I remember reading about someone installing those electric RV leveling jacks on their GMC. I can't locate it via search, so maybe I'm using the wrong search words. My wife doesn't like movement of the GMC when people are going in and out, walking around inside, etc.

I've been using those aluminum WalMart triangle type screw pedestal things that require me to crawl under to ensure they're lifting at appropriate locations. Low cost solutions most welcome! Thanks in advance.



Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] Leveling jacks [message #285476 is a reply to message #285439] Thu, 20 August 2015 17:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Chris,

I beg to differ with you, I have seen Chuck's GMC in the flesh and it worked. I knew him, he worked for General Dynamics as an
engineer. He WAS a rocket scientist! He's the guy that came up with the reaction arm braking system.

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


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Tyler
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2015 12:13 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Leveling jacks

Those both look viable for stabilizing. Chucks looks like an adapted tongue jack and workable
Neither would be too useful for true leveling as the capacity and travel is probably insufficient
Both Hydraulic and electric levelers are available, even automatic versions. They are expensive and complex to install.
I have never seen a set on a GMC. In fact , they may be too low to use them without modification... Someone can probably weigh in on
that

Those with electric only fridges don't have to worry about level quite so much.

The cheapest solution may be trailer type scissor stabilizers. Again, not so much for leveling but for stabilizing.
They do still require manual crankng, but simple to mount
--
76 Glenbrook



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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: Leveling jacks [message #285521 is a reply to message #285399] Fri, 21 August 2015 07:28 Go to previous message
Chris Tyler is currently offline  Chris Tyler   United States
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Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
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Oh, Im not knocking Chucks design in the least. The wedge brake is pure genius!
What Im wondering is if it is a trailer tongue jack as it looks to be, most of those have about 2K# capacity. If it isnt. Id be curious what it is.
Is it enough to get both wheels on that side off the ground? Would be very useful for tire changes if the brake was not applied
As far as usefulness for leveling as opposed to stabilizing, it occurs that it would depend how far off level the site is in the first place. If it is fairly close you dont need to put the full wt of the coach on the jack.


76 Glenbrook
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