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Hoppin Blocks
After watching Mr. Hawkins teach us about the do’s and dont’s of towing busses, I thought I needed a set of these. They will make it easier for a little skinny fella like me to get my jacks and stands under the bus.
The boards are 36″ long, 16″ wide and 3.5″ tall. The handles will help with moving and positioning them. Sanded all the rough sharp edges down smooth, no sharp corners or splinters. Now I have a big mess to clean up!!
Just a nice little afternoon project.
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36 Replies
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Steve, Nice job! Do you use the blocks for leveling also?
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Hey Tim,
I have never had to use anything for that.. I hope most of my camping spots are not that far out of level!!Steve
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How heavy are these? Is 3.5″ high enough with the bus “aired down” to get underneath it? 3.5″ is about what … same as a 2×4 on edge?
I recall Jeff having some ramps in his shop. Are those 2×4’s or 2×6′ on edge? I think he has spacers on his which probably make them lighter.
I wonder what other guys have done for ramps. I think this will be the “show us your ramps” thead!
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John Hawkins used two 2″x12″ stacked on top of each other for his towing demo. Enough width to cover the entire tread.
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Tim wrote: “John Hawkins used two 2″x12″ stacked on top of each other for his towing demo. Enough width to cover the entire tread”
I saw that, explained why NOT to use a 2×4 or probably 2×6 as it would likely damage the tire.
So we’re back to being about 3.75″ thick. I suppose if the coach is “aired up” and the jacks installed properly, that there is enough room to get under the coach.
With a single 2×12 in the back won’t 100% of the rear coach weight be carried by only two tires versus 4 or 6 tires?
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Hey Dick how are ya!
They are heavy, 40 lbs or so. They were made out of a gluelam beam over a garage door. It is a plywood type product. I intended to have my bus aired up and sitting on the boards giving me more room to get under it to set my jacks and stands.
Steve
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I have spent some time beneath my buses and have raised them on just the air bags and supported the chassis with hardwood blocking. I have driven them up on ramps. I have raised them with bottle jacks.
The most versatile way of raising a coach and supporting it has been the air over hydraulic 20 ton bottle jacks such as sold by Harbor Freight or Northern Tool. (Item #95553 at Harbor Freight) With the jacks all the way down, but the center threaded post extended it is a safe support because you are not relying on a hydraulic lift. I have four and I can use one set to lift and the second set to put beneath chassis support points for safety.
I now have a pit and even with the pit it is my practice to raise the coach fully, and support the chassis so I have no possibility of getting under the coach to work on it, and being caught in a pinch point if the coach should drop. Be safe under there.
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My ramps are 8′ in length, 2′ wide and 6″ high.
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Tom can you share a picture or two? Any idea of how heavy they are?
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Brady sent me these photos. Really nice looking ramps………..
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Now… That is a nice set of ramps!!! There is also some money invested in them also.
Jon, I am not sure how you put the picture on my previous post!!!
I think I am going to build mine out of steel. I think they might be a little lighter .Steve
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If I put the picture on the original post it was an accident. I was not even into your original post.
At one time we made steel ramps sold by Sporty’s that would support the entire bus. They were made of 3/16 tread plate and 11 Ga vertical sides. I still have 4. The slope is shallow enough my Z06 will go up them.
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Jon,
How long were those ramps? Could you send me a picture? And yes I might steal your idea!!!Steve
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Steve:
These ramps are 6′ long, 2′ wide and 8″ tall…. Jon, thanks for posting as they wouldn’t upload for me….
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Nice job Brady! I bet you had a ton of time in those!!
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