Leveling Jacks & Aluminum Wheels

Biglegmax....that’s the route I intend to take as well. The Alcoa I’m sure are very sharp but I’m not into garage art. I know it’s a big deal too many but I guess I’m more of the minority.

How did you scuff the wheels to prep for paint?

Immediately after picking up our 3100 we purchased Alcoa Dura Bright rims to stop having to deal with the movement of the wheel covers Phoenix used on our unit.  The difference in weight between the steel rims and the aluminum rims was a total of 68 pounds.  You definitely want to go with the Dura Bright finish because the non-Dura Bright finish requires regular polishing to restore their appearance.

As for leveling jacks, we wouldn't own an RV without them.  Ours are not the automatic version, we have to run them manually by pushing a button, but they work great leveling the unit.  We use them every time we stop at a campground.
Gary

Biglegmax....that’s the route I intend to take as well. The Alcoa I’m sure are very sharp but I’m not into garage art. I know it’s a big deal too many but I guess I’m more of the minority.

How did you scuff the wheels to prep for paint?

On another forum, I seen one fellow painted or power-coated his wheels a darker gray color that coordinated with the colors of his non-PC rig.  He bought polished rings that snapped on like standard wheel covers, and did something about the lug nuts.  It was a very nice sporty look.

But I will be investing $1,400 in the Alcoa Dura-Bright package.  I have access to mounting and balancing equipment and free tire disposal, though I will dispose of only 2 of the 6 tires.  The 4 tires on steel rims will get sold.

We are adding the HWH levelers from Stuart’s.  They install all PC levelers and know the PC well. I am tired of leveling the PC and the wobble when we walk around. Looking forward to the install. It is a little pricey but should add to resale some day.  It will be so easy to set up camp with them; plug in, levelers down with one push button, slide out, awning out and we are camping!

I do have a question. When should we be placing pads under the jacks? What kind a pads are best to use?  We have flat pads that look like tire tread. They are flexible which may not bode well on dirt surfaces. I will use them in the driveway to support the jacks though.

Thanks

Ron S

Ron, thank you, I’ll do some search and see if I can locate it. Paint is the route I’d like to give a try. Cost is minimal and almost any color would look better than white.

Sarrz, we use our levelers all the time. I have yet to have the need for any pads under them. I have thought the need may arise if it’s really hot and the pads are asphalt to keep from damaging the asphalt.  That came to me at a Camp with asphalt pads but since then I have yet to come across another place that used asphalt parking.

It sounds like everybody is aware, but do not purchase the uncoated aluminum wheels. They would look nice on your rig for total of one day. Ask me how I know (Jeep, not RV).

I do have a question. When should we be placing pads under the jacks? What kind a pads are best to use?  We have flat pads that look like tire tread. They are flexible which may not bode well on dirt surfaces. I will use them in the driveway to support the jacks though.

Thanks

Ron S

Ron, I can't be of much help on the pads except to say that this is what I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016V2JQWI/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They come in two sizes--I bought the square ones (8.5" X 8.5").  I haven't had much opportunity to use them yet, so can't be more specific on performance.  They are an extremely tough substance, not rigid, but not easily flexible.  Looks like they will hold their shape and support on any surface.  In addition to use on asphalt, as Joseph discusses, I would expect to use them on loose gravel, or if the ground is really wet.

All the best,       Mike

My 2350 came with factory automatic levelers, and I'd give them to you if I could.  I think I've actually used them once since we owned the vehicle (in Yellowstone), and even then it wasn't really necessary.  I guess they'd be helpful when changing a tire, but even then I wouldn't bother.  I'd just call AAA.  The only time you really need them is for back country camping, but then I think you'd want the ground clearance you lose more. I wish for that 4" every time I pull into a gas station.

But there is one situation I can think of where they're helpful -- they keep "the truck from a-rockin'", if you know what I mean. So I guess the answer to your question kind of depends on your love life! <grin>

Would you be able to post a picture please?  RE: the loss of ground clearance?  I was strongly considering adding leveling jacks in my 2350, but this sounds like a serious issue, especially with me lowering it. 

If you are a member of the PC  facebook page message me there.  MUCH easier to post pictures. 

And about the wheel covers... I am fortunate to have the 'old' stainless covers that dont move, look FANTASTIC.  Love the look when they are cleaned up.   Is it all the new ones that have the 'creeping' problem?   

Though we have not had issues with valve stems or simulators, I do plan on getting Alcoa wheels when replacing our tires.  It makes sense they should offer some benefit in the quality of the ride and handling, as well as general appearance.  All our other vehicles have alloy wheels.  Why not our most expensive one that would benefit most from them?

I plan to recover some money through resale-ing the take-offs on Craigslist.

Someone should call dibs!!   Wheelmaster  no longer makes   jam nut type 16”  front wheel covers, which seems really dumb  since they still sell the jam nut type rear wheel liners.

Volkemon, here's that pic of my rear levelers.  I know its a lousy pic, but I was too lazy to pull it out of the barn to get a good one.  I drew a red arrow.   As you can see, they hang down almost as low as the mud flaps, maybe about 2" less.

And I know someone is going to ask... that white thing hanging down is my sewer hose carrier, which I made from a large (5", I think) plastic gutter downspout.

I did not realize levelers take away ground clearance.  Can anyone comment on levelers for a 2551 or 2552 and about clearance from raised leveler to ground.  Could they drag on driveways?

I had enough of that dragging stuff with our travel trailer.

Thanks

Ron Sarz

Ron,

On my 2019 2552, leveler clearance isn't an issue.  The front HWH levelers in raised position clear the ground 8.75", considerably above the transmission mount cross-member which has a clearance of 7" even.

The rear levelers are higher at 10.25"-- noticeably above the black tank and rear end housing clearance.

Mike

Thanks Mike. Our 2551 should be similar. I will call Stuarts to verify.  I can’t wait to get them. It’s one luxury we desire especially in our slanted driveway. 

Ron

Joseph,
I didn't do much prep. I think I wiped them down first with MEK, then alcohol,  then sprayed them with a relatively cheap rattle can of flat Rust Oleum. The paint job has held up better than most things at the 18k mile mark. We have a black and white theme, so flat black worked well for us.
 
I can appreciate nice aluminum wheels, I know how to keep them clean( I owned a car wash for 27 years) and looking nice, but I use my motorhome more as a tool, not garage art like you mention.

The commercial pads like Mike mentions look great, we just use chunks of pressure treated 2x8's. The only time I really screwed up( with pads anyway) and should have used a pad was when we arrived at a campsite in late fall on an afternoon when the temps had melted the snow some, I put the jacks down, during the night they sank somemore, then froze hard into the ground. That required a shovel to dig them out, another lesson learned.
Doug