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Jacks

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JWW

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Jacks
« on: April 07, 2015, 04:15:36 pm »
As we continue our educational process in pursuit of down sizing, I see that it is not uncommon for P.C.'s to be built without jacks.
I suppose in dealing with not having them you revert back to the method I used with travel trailers years ago........blocks.

Will appreciate input from P.C. owners regarding the pros and cons of jacks on P.C.'s. I can't think of a reason to not have them, but thats what I'm here for.

Also read the opinion of one forum member (from the archives) who stated that having two slides on one side (2910D) made it difficult to level.???
In our 35 years of RV'ing, I will guess that we are able to find level sites 25% of the time. But I suspect I will find that the shorter wheel base of a P.C. will increase the odds of finding a level spot it will fit on, vs. the wheel base of a 43' Class A.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and opinions.
Happy Motoring
Johnny

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TomHanlon

Re: Jacks
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 04:36:40 pm »
I have jacks and have had them on every one of the seven motorhomes I have owned. I would not buy a motorhome without them. I hate having to sleep with my feet higher than my head. On our way home from our last trip that would of been the case if I had not had them. Just my 2 cents worth, as they say.
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GoPhoenix

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 04:50:37 pm »
Get the jacks.  Easy to level, as you know.  No rock-and-roll, as you know.  And you'll get a big chuck of the cost back when you sell.  No good reason to not get them.
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Janey

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2015, 04:59:50 pm »
We had winnebago Rialtas for 20 years without jacks. Used the Lego like blocks and were happy. The moho still bounced when you moved around.

Bought our PC with jacks - LOVE THEM.  No more bouncing when moving around inside. Wouldn't dream of not having them ever again.

j
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Joseph

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2015, 05:28:46 pm »
I doubt you'll get your money back on the jacks anymore than one does on accessories for a motorcycle (10% at best).  I recently bought a used 2011 2552 with 19,000 miles because I hate buying new even though I can. (It's just me. )That being said. the RV I bought had jacks, had  it not I still would have bought it. When buying used you go for as many things as you can on your want list knowing you probably wont get all and go for the deal.  I ended up with more than I had been looking for at just a few grand over wholesale and thousands under the lowest book. When your buying new I would never look at what I might get back out of an option in dollars. I look at what I will get out of an option in enjoyment. If your buying new, go for the jacks, I believe you'll be glad you did, but do not look at what you may get back when your done because that's all speculative.
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GoPhoenix

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2015, 06:07:25 pm »
Joseph, I agree that you shouldn’t buy expecting to get your money back.  That’s not what I said.  Get the jacks for the ease of leveling and stability.  But getting some of your money back is a plus – some people do not buy jacks simply because of the cost.  Getting some of the cost back is a consideration.  And I believe many buyers are like me – I’d never buy a motorhome without jacks.  That eliminates many buyers when selling.
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Joseph

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2015, 07:24:08 pm »
Your probably right for most. I am just one who buys based on what I will enjoy and never consider what I may get back in the end. It's generally so minute anyway. Heck if I was concerned on what I' get back my better half would never get to remodel and she has done that twice on our current home in 4 years.  I almost go into DE fib every time I see a general contractors truck in the neighborhood.
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randallandchris

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2015, 08:11:16 pm »
All but the longest models PC builds for inventory usually don't have jacks and if you plan to tow a car and park the rv for weeks at a time then may do without.  We just ordered a 2400 planning to move it a lot so got the jacks hoping to save the back.
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Joseph

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2015, 08:13:31 pm »
On the subject of jacks, I see many rv's stored with the jacks down. Is that the preferred  method?  If so that would be another reason for having them.
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donc13

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2015, 08:41:59 pm »
Quote from: JWW on April 07, 2015, 04:15:36 pm
As we continue our educational process in pursuit of down sizing, I see that it is not uncommon for P.C.'s to be built without jacks.
I suppose in dealing with not having them you revert back to the method I used with travel trailers years ago........blocks.

Will appreciate input from P.C. owners regarding the pros and cons of jacks on P.C.'s. I can't think of a reason to not have them, but thats what I'm here for.

Also read the opinion of one forum member (from the archives) who stated that having two slides on one side (2910D) made it difficult to level.???
In our 35 years of RV'ing, I will guess that we are able to find level sites 25% of the time. But I suspect I will find that the shorter wheel base of a P.C. will increase the odds of finding a level spot it will fit on, vs. the wheel base of a 43' Class A.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and opinions.
Happy Motoring
Johnny



Obviously at odds with many of the other members, but I believe jacks are just something else to go wrong.   I've been camping for 18 years...first a truck camper, then a 24' Winnebago Minnie, next a 25' Forest River Lexington and now a 27' Phoenix Cruiser 2551.  None of them had jacks except the truck camper (same jacks used to lift the camper off the pickup) and I have never found a need for jacks.  Oh sure, we've stayed at sites (or parked on a street) where things aren't "level" but never had a problem finding a place level enough for us.   I have tried the lego blocks...and they work fine...but take up storage space, so most times, never used them.

Your mileage may vary.
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JWW

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2015, 08:53:18 pm »
 
Many Thanks to all who responded !
I had an opinion, but you folks verified it.

With regards to storing with the jacks down, many opinions vary.
I'll offer mine, and it's worth what your paying for it.......

As an owner of a fleet of medium duty trucks, I have learned that the service life of tires on a Motorhome  is relative, but not limited to, the fact that the tires (in addition to the suspension), are LOADED, in some cases almost to maximum limits, every hour of every day. A medium duty truck is typically only loaded 50% of its service life.
I think it's a good idea to store a coach with the jacks down, at least supporting some of the load.
More important is the surface on which it is stored.....concrete OK, gravel or asphalt require isolation of the tires.....wood, plastic, etc......

Next question, which might be best answered via a call to P.C., can jacks be added, retrofitted, to a unit at the factory?

Happy Motoring
Johnny
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 09:04:41 pm by JWW »
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JWW

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2015, 09:01:28 pm »
Not taken as being at odds Don.
Thank you for your opinion.

Our last coach had a residential fridge........if my memory is correct the RV type fridges need to be relatively level to operate properly???
Happy Motoring
Johnny
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Joseph

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2015, 09:11:08 pm »
JWW, Good info, makes sense as well. Now I do see rvs with the jacks down and their tires on squares of plywood. What is it about asphalt that causes harm? Assuming it has something to do with petroleum make up in asphalt  But I'm using swag at best.

As far as the jacks down are concerned, does anyone know PC's view on this?
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 09:29:06 pm by Joseph »
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JWW

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Re: Jacks
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2015, 09:25:19 pm »
Joseph,
Your assumption is correct based on what I have been told. Not a chemist, but do know a few.
And the best thing is that wood is cheap compared to tires, so if the theory is incorrect no harm no foul.
Happy Motoring
Johnny
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TomHanlon

Re: Jacks
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2015, 07:09:33 am »
"Next question, which might be best answered via a call to P.C., can jacks be added, retrofitted, to a unit at the factory?"

Phoenix sends the unit down the road about two miles to HWH for the jacks to be installed. It does not matter if the unit is new or used. Many RV dealer, including Camping World, can and do install the jacks on most motorhomes.
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