| Blocking the rear bogies... [message #169453] |
Sun, 13 May 2012 17:48  |
Mark of Excellence
Messages: 18
Registered: December 2010
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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I would like keep my coach sitting level while being stored due to a leaky air bag on one side. I want to put oak blocking under the rear of the coach and release the air from the bags and have the coach rest its entire weight on the wood blocks.
Is there any harm in doing this to the coach, and where exactly on the bogies is the proper place to block?
Or is it better for the coach to just completely deflate both bags and let the rear sit as low as it goes?
Benson
76' Birchaven
Florida
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| Re: Blocking the rear bogies... [message #169460 is a reply to message #169453] |
Sun, 13 May 2012 18:12  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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This is almost exactly what I do when my coach is not in use. I built a platform of 4x4, cut to about 18", connected together with metal strapping (just for ease of moving them}. These go between the two rear wheels, with the blocking running from left to right. Then, I place another 4x4 in line with the frame. This one fits between the rear wheels. Then, I use 2x4 pieces to carry the load to the wooden platform. This is placed between the 2 rear tandem wheels on each side. I then jack up the boggies enough to slide the top pieces under the boggies center. Then lower the jack and release the air in the air bags. If I am going to leave it for a long time, I generally release most of the air in the air bags. This takes the load from the air bag system, and places it directly on the ground, carrying the load through the wooden platform.
I did this originally to reduce the weight of the rear end on my asphalt driveway, and I did not want to dent the soft asphalt. I do not use this as a leveling device, but to take the weight of the coach from the air bags. It does produce a fairly level coach, providing the driveway or ground is level.
Tom Phipps, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Blocking the rear bogies... [message #169463 is a reply to message #169460] |
Sun, 13 May 2012 19:48 |
Mark of Excellence
Messages: 18
Registered: December 2010
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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I understand the bottom of the bogie is not a flat surface. Should the wood block be positioned to the outside of the two frame bolts that hang down or should it be to the inside of them, or dead center under the two bolts and let them dig into the wood?
Benson
76' Birchaven
Florida
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| Re: Blocking the rear bogies... [message #169493 is a reply to message #169463] |
Mon, 14 May 2012 01:15 |
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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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| Mark of Excellence wrote on Sun, 13 May 2012 17:48 |
I understand the bottom of the bogie is not a flat surface. Should the wood block be positioned to the outside of the two frame bolts that hang down or should it be to the inside of them, or dead center under the two bolts and let them dig into the wood?
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Center your blocks on the boogie box. There is a slot in the bottom. Have the same amount of wood on each side of the slot.
Other notes:
-- IF you store your coach where it gets a lot of rain, you might want to store it a little low in the back.... it helps the drainage.
-- IF you have an early coach (73/74), you really want to block the rear when stored. The wheel-wells will drop down to the tires before the suspension bottoms out. Effectively resting the rear of the coach on the almost 40 year old, hard, brittle, plastic wheel-wells. This problem is made worse by larger (taller) than OEM tires. Later coaches have different suspensions and wheel-wells... SO, this is much less of a problem.
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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