[Ronald]

Hi Ron

My recommendation being that our coaches are so heavy is a air/hydraulic bottle jack rated at 20 tons you can get them on Ebay for $80. then have at least two Screw Jacks like the Jet SJ-20 part number 441320 also on Ebay for $140. you would use the air bottle jack to lift and then place the screw jacks to support the coach. any hydraulic bottle jack could fail, blowing a seal and falling very quickly which we do not want happen. Screw jacks have been used in raising houses and have a safe record. they might not be pretty but effective.

Darrell

[Will]

Thanks. It is appreciated. I will look into your recommendations.

Ron

[Marius]

When we got our coach almost 30 years ago I carried enough parts, tools and jacks to outfit the average repair shop.

Then I learned a little reality.

First, it is far better to anticipate potential problems and fix them in my garage before they happened and not when we are on the road. But if we had to do repairs they had to be simple and relatively easy, not only because of the danger or trying to do repairs on a road, but because the average RV park goes nuts if you start working on a coach on your site.

Then the reality of exactly what I was prepared to do on the road. Any repair that involves pulling wheels is going to require at the very least a torque multiplier like an X-12. You need a strong back for that.

If you really have to get under the coach you have to have fail safe supports. The air over hydraulic jacks mentioned are ideal as long as the hydraulic portion is all the way down and the screw thread inner adjustment is used to support the coach. Then you have to be certain whatever the support sits on can carry the weight.

I’m sure there are a bunch of reasons you might need to get under the coach, but the only two common ones are to cap air lines going to a brake chamber with a failed diaphragm and to cage the brake, or to replace a relay valve that will not seat. I’m sure there are other reasons but they must be rare because I cannot think of anyone ever discussing them.

The only tool I carry of consequence and the only repair parts are now in the form of a Visa card. And I try my hardest to never have to see how that tool works.

[Archived]

Jon,

After all the great advice I have gotten from PC over the last week I feel compelled to tell you that if you ever have any questions on that Visa tool, I have an Expert with advanced degrees in the family. My Expert’s theory is that like most things the more you use the Visa tool the better and more confident you become in its use. My Expert advises you should consult with Di regarding things to practice use of the Visa tool on before that possible looming emergency. Begin use of the Visa tool at least daily and sharpen your skills before that late night emergency on the side of an Interstate leaves you feeling unprepared.

[Archived]

It’s been said- men are from Mars, women are from Visa.

[Darrell]

Being the Visa is linked to my Amazon account I have developed a considerable degree of proficiency in its use. I’m not happy about the cost of that education but it is a skill that will not have me reading the user’s manual if I have to use it to make repairs on the road.