Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Supporting the rear for storage
| Supporting the rear for storage [message #97931] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 11:35  |
PETEinLongBeach
Messages: 90
Registered: June 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Karma: 0
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After 3 days in storage, I now notice that the coach has a slow air suspension leak on the left side. So, until I'm able to diagnose and fix it, what is the preferred way to block up the rear? I want to depressurize the bags during storage anyway.
Also, would there be any harm done if one side leaks down completely before I get some supports under it?
Thanks,
Pete.
Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #97933 is a reply to message #97931] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 11:40  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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| PETEinLongBeach wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 10:35 |
After 3 days in storage, I now notice that the coach has a slow air suspension leak on the left side. So, until I'm able to diagnose and fix it, what is the preferred way to block up the rear? I want to depressurize the bags during storage anyway.
Also, would there be any harm done if one side leaks down completely before I get some supports under it?
Thanks,
Pete.
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It won't hurt anything to let it sag all the way down--other than your pride  However, many people place 4X4's or some wooden blocking under the center bogie support. Do not use concrete blocks since they can disintegrate.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #97938 is a reply to message #97931] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 12:28 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| PETEinLongBeach wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 09:35 |
After 3 days in storage, I now notice that the coach has a slow air suspension leak on the left side. So, until I'm able to diagnose and fix it, what is the preferred way to block up the rear? I want to depressurize the bags during storage anyway.
Also, would there be any harm done if one side leaks down completely before I get some supports under it?
Thanks,
Pete.
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Pete,
As someone with damaged wheel-wells....
Depending on the year and maybe tire size, it is possible to do damage by allowing the system to go all the way down. 1973's and 1974's would rest on the PLASTIC wheel-wells and cracking them. Larger tires make it even worse. They changed the wheel-wells and the boogie castings in 1975 making this less of a problem. (I am not sure if larger tires could still damage 1975+ wheel wells.)
I use 2 4x4's about 12 to 18 inches long under each boogie. (Total of 4 for one coach.) Depending on where it is parked, it might need a 2x4 or two to get it level enough to run the propane refer.
As a side note: If you put your coach year and model as well as your location in your signature line, you'll end up with better advice... "odds are" anyway.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #97941 is a reply to message #97938] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 12:52 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""Depending on the year and maybe tire size, it is possible to do damage by allowing the system to go all the way down. 1973's and 1974's would rest on the PLASTIC wheel-wells and cracking them""
Good point--I forgot about that!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #97942 is a reply to message #97938] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 12:55 |
ejuk8em
Messages: 90
Registered: July 2010
Karma: 0
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Pete,
I can attest first hand to what Mike said about the damage that can be done to the plastic wheel wells on a '73. Ours are cracked on both sides, apparently from settling. I had planed to post a question to the group to see what is the best method to repair them. If someone has a suggestion please let me know.
Lyle
Lyle A. Rigdon, Retired Superintendent
'73 Pineapple Yellow Sequoia
Pawnee, IL 62558
Pawnee Pride - Live It!
--- On Tue, 8/31/10, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 12:28 PM
PETEinLongBeach wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 09:35
> After 3 days in storage, I now notice that the coach has a slow air suspension leak on the left side. So, until I'm able to diagnose and fix it, what is the preferred way to block up the rear? I want to depressurize the bags during storage anyway.
>
> Also, would there be any harm done if one side leaks down completely before I get some supports under it?
>
> Thanks,
> Pete.
Pete,
As someone with damaged wheel-wells....
Depending on the year and maybe tire size, it is possible to do damage by allowing the system to go all the way down. 1973's and 1974's would rest on the PLASTIC wheel-wells and cracking them. Larger tires make it even worse. They changed the wheel-wells and the boogie castings in 1975 making this less of a problem. (I am not sure if larger tires could still damage 1975+ wheel wells.)
I use 2 4x4's about 12 to 18 inches long under each boogie. (Total of 4 for one coach.) Depending on where it is parked, it might need a 2x4 or two to get it level enough to run the propane refer.
As a side note: If you put your coach year and model as well as your location in your signature line, you'll end up with better advice... "odds are" anyway.
--
Mike Miller
`73 26' X Painted D.
`78 23' Birchaven
Hillsboro, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #97943 is a reply to message #97942] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 12:59 |
Eddie Pettit
Messages: 71
Registered: May 2009
Karma: 0
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My right side is damaged from past towing. Repair or replace?
Eddie Pettit
Midlothian VA
73 26 CL - The Jolly Roger
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Lyle A. Rigdon
> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 1:55 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage
>
>
> Pete,
> I can attest first hand to what Mike said about the damage
> that can be done to the plastic wheel wells on a '73. Ours
> are cracked on both sides, apparently from settling. I had
> planed to post a question to the group to see what is the
> best method to repair them. If someone has a suggestion
> please let me know.
> Lyle
>
> Lyle A. Rigdon, Retired Superintendent
> '73 Pineapple Yellow Sequoia
> Pawnee, IL 62558
> Pawnee Pride - Live It!
>
> --- On Tue, 8/31/10, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 12:28 PM
>
>
>
>
> PETEinLongBeach wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 09:35
> > After 3 days in storage, I now notice that the coach has a
> slow air suspension leak on the left side. So, until I'm
> able to diagnose and fix it, what is the preferred way to
> block up the rear? I want to depressurize the bags during
> storage anyway.
> >
> > Also, would there be any harm done if one side leaks down
> completely before I get some supports under it?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Pete.
>
>
> Pete,
>
> As someone with damaged wheel-wells....
>
> Depending on the year and maybe tire size, it is possible to
> do damage by allowing the system to go all the way down.
> 1973's and 1974's would rest on the PLASTIC wheel-wells and
> cracking them. Larger tires make it even worse. They
> changed the wheel-wells and the boogie castings in 1975
> making this less of a problem. (I am not sure if larger tires
> could still damage 1975+ wheel wells.)
>
> I use 2 4x4's about 12 to 18 inches long under each boogie.
> (Total of 4 for one coach.) Depending on where it is parked,
> it might need a 2x4 or two to get it level enough to run the
> propane refer.
>
> As a side note: If you put your coach year and model as well
> as your location in your signature line, you'll end up with
> better advice... "odds are" anyway.
> --
> Mike Miller
> `73 26' X Painted D.
> `78 23' Birchaven
> Hillsboro, OR
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #97951 is a reply to message #97943] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 13:50 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Replacement would be difficult unless you have access to the full inside... ie: almost gutting the coach. Repair is the only option for most of us. I tried fiberglass and it doesn't stick to the plastic. I needed to use the coach during the wet time of year (10 or 12 months here in the Great North Wet.) and did a "temporary" repair with "Right Stuff" in the cracks then painted over with black paint. It seems to be holding. (Keep in mind I really do not use that coach right now.)
BUT...
The best repair would be with plastic welding. (I have been learning on the front wheel-wells.) I am thinking I would cut and weld (adding material) to clear the largest tires I have, when all the way down. Kind of line the fiberglass wheel-wells in the newer coaches.
| Eddie Pettit wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 10:59 |
My right side is damaged from past towing. Repair or replace?
> -----Original Message-----
> I can attest first hand to what Mike said about the damage
> that can be done to the plastic wheel wells on a '73. Ours
> are cracked on both sides, apparently from settling. I had
> planed to post a question to the group to see what is the
> best method to repair them. If someone has a suggestion
> please let me know.
|
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #97958 is a reply to message #97951] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 14:18 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I built a platform of 4 x 4 's that is about 4 sq ft. I put this between the rear wheels, and set additional 4 x 4 on top to join this together. I then lower the coach until it rests on the wooden platform. My goal was not to support the coach, but to spread the weight of the rear of the coach over a greater surface area. This is intended to keep my asphalt parking pad from "denting." Coach is rock steady lowered onto the platform.
Takes just a few minutes to inflate the bags and lift from the resting place.
Tom Phipps
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #97969 is a reply to message #97931] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 15:14 |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 12:35 PM, Pete <peteinlb@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> After 3 days in storage, I now notice that the coach has a slow air
> suspension leak on the left side. So, until I'm able to diagnose and fix
> it, what is the preferred way to block up the rear? I want to depressurize
> the bags during storage anyway.
>
>
A 4x6 pressure-treated post from Home Depot, which is made for building
decks, will work fine. Stand it so that the 6" dimension is vertical. It
will slide under the bogie frame at normal ride height, but it will not let
the coach down to the point where the tires will rub the fender wells.
> Also, would there be any harm done if one side leaks down completely before
> I get some supports under it?
>
Only if you have an early coach. If the tire touches the wheel well,
cracking the plastic is only one possible issue. It will also lift the wheel
well off the floor, creating a leak that will allow water to enter the coach
at floor level when you drive in the rain.
I replaced the top of one wheel well with galvanized sheet metal. I glued it
in place with 3M 5200 and screwed it to the plastic every two inches with
self-tapping screws.
The other one isn't in such bad condition.
If you have a '75 or newer coach, it couldn't be a problem.
Rick "whose wheel wells were chewed to bits when the coach was acquired"
Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #97988 is a reply to message #97969] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 17:48 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""
Rick "whose wheel wells were chewed to bits when the coach was acquired"
Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
""
Jeeze Rick--what did you do? get a job--Ha Ha We hardly hear from you anymore.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #98000 is a reply to message #97999] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 19:48 |
PETEinLongBeach
Messages: 90
Registered: June 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Karma: 0
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Thanks everyone. I'll head over to Home Depot this evening to get a couple of 4X6 posts. Even though the '77 won't be damaged if it sits down, I still want to keep weight off the bags while in storage. Not sure what arrangements the PO had for storage, but when I asked he claimed it "stays up forever..."
Ha.
Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
[Updated on: Tue, 31 August 2010 19:48] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #98016 is a reply to message #98000] |
Tue, 31 August 2010 22:25 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| PETEinLongBeach wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 18:48 |
Thanks everyone. I'll head over to Home Depot this evening to get a couple of 4X6 posts. Even though the '77 won't be damaged if it sits down, I still want to keep weight off the bags while in storage. Not sure what arrangements the PO had for storage, but when I asked he claimed it "stays up forever..."
Ha.
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Well frankly Pete, knowing your coach is a 77, I'd just let it settle. There will be no adverse effects on the bag at all.Propping it up won't do or help it in any way.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #98019 is a reply to message #97931] |
Wed, 01 September 2010 00:22 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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I use a jack stand under the receiver hitch as a "tail stand". Actually any time I get out for more than a few hours, I stick in the tail stand just in case a bag lets go I got something to catch it and have some hope of jacking it up. I've gotten under there to see what the hitch is connected to and it doesn't seem to hurt it.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Supporting the rear for storage [message #98023 is a reply to message #98016] |
Wed, 01 September 2010 01:56 |
PETEinLongBeach
Messages: 90
Registered: June 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Karma: 0
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| Bob de Kruyff wrote on Tue, 31 August 2010 20:25 |
Well frankly Pete, knowing your coach is a 77, I'd just let it settle. There will be no adverse effects on the bag at all.Propping it up won't do or help it in any way.
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Yeah, that's what I was thinking later. My main concern was that it didn't lean over against the garage wall (it's pretty tight in there currently), or overstress any other components. I'll let both bags down tomorrow - gonna be a couple weeks before I get around to dealing with it.
Thanks again.
Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
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| Re: [GMCnet] Supporting the rear for storage [message #98063 is a reply to message #98025] |
Wed, 01 September 2010 12:18 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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| Mr ERFisher wrote on Wed, 01 September 2010 04:15 |
>
>I am surprised that the hitch will hold 8,000 pounds.
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Me too, but it has for almost 3 years. The load seems to get spread throughout the hitch assembly. so maybe that makes a difference.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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