| Author | Message | ||
| ron and patti (Hayleyscomet)
Rating: |
Our mechanic is recommending the Kwikee levelling system for our bus. Anyone have any comments on this system? Thanks, Patti | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Where is the mechanic going to mount the hydraulic rams (jacks)? Ordinarily, they're mounted to the vehicle's frame. With a bus, that's an impossibility, and there isn't much room to attach anything to the manufacturer's lift points... Every product has their bad days, including that one: Kwikee Products Company, Inc. Models: Kwikee Level Best 3010? Number Potentially Involved: 2,442 Dates of Manufacture: January 2000 ? May 2004 Defect: On certain hydraulic jacks installed as original equipment on 2000-2004 Alfa Leisure brand "See Ya" and "Gold" motor homes, it is possible that prolonged vibration and/or unusual jack loading will result in the footpad retaining bolt(s) loosening to point the steel footpad may be lost. Using the jack without the footpad could result in personal injury to the operator or others. Remedy: Kwikee will provide replacement of all footpad retaining bolts. Owners can contact the nearest authorized dealer or warranty service center to arrange for the free installation of improved bolts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during June 2004. Owners may contact Kwikee.... [NHTSA Recall No. 04E043] They remedied it quick! | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Rating: N/A |
What bus do you have? As John said, there isn't a lot of room to fit it in or much to attach to. For my bus (it has air bags), I'll fix all of the air leaks and install Pete's leveling system (it uses the stock suspension). I'll spend less than the kwikee. Also if you're planning to use the kwikee system to lift the bus for tire changing..... 'Da Book warns against letting the axle hang from the air bags as it can tear the bag. Good luck! kyle4501 | ||
| ron and patti (Hayleyscomet)
Rating: N/A |
we have a 1996 prevost le mirage and would prefer to use hydralic levelling rather than air | ||
| ron and patti (Hayleyscomet)
Rating: N/A |
we have a 1996 prevost le mirage and would prefer to use hydraulic levelling rather than air | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A |
It is being done on all models Prevost, MCI and Eagle. I know MCI-7, 8, 9 are mounted behind front “jacking” post (where control arm attach to) and rear “jacking” post (behind dual wheel & with extended mounting plate to clear outside of control arm attach point) Call them, they will tell you how it being done for Prevost. Equalizer is two-way hydraulic cylinder that can return out of mud or frozen ground…no springs to fail and most compact unit of all brands to install. http://www.equalizersystems.com/mh.asp The rear hydraulic lifts is to level left & right side as well height. Front two hydraulic lift are connect in series so it freely to “float” as well require lift pressure. FWIW Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Good info Jerry! Thanks! I took great interest in the company's comment: "Auto-Air™ utilizes the same patented sequential leveling process as the standard Auto-Level® hydraulic system. This process results in a more precise level state throughout the entire coach. Auto-Air™ is sold as an upgrade to Auto-Level® allowing the coach to be leveled using either chassis airbags or hydraulic jacks." I would feel safe in assuming the word "upgrade" is to mean that it's better than their hydraulic system. The thought of jacking a hydro jack on hot asphalt, and having the campground owner attempt to charge for damages, sits in the back of my head. It's not some lightweight RV we have, it's an 11+ ton piece of heavy equipment. Pete's (Daytona Beach/RTS) system is the better choice, as far as I'm concerned. | ||
| sylverstone (Sylverstone_pd4501864)
Rating: N/A |
watching what my rig did to the asphalt on the blacktop road in wyoming i parked on for a few hours to take pictures, i can tell you, you better have very very large footpads on those if you're going to jack up a bus with it. took me 3 miles at 65 to throw all the asphalt off my tires. -dd | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A |
Here my friend is solution to stinking. For parking on soft surface such as asphalt, sandy, wet muck soil or thin concrete….always use reinforce foot-pad that at LEAST AS LARGE OR LARGER than coach’s tire rolling surface. If we remember this rule of thumb…we avoid stinking problems…right? Or if tire stinking don't drive into it in the first place. What size foot-pad? Average coach tire is 9x9 inch = 81 sq-in of surface-contact. 1) Front is equal to 9x9 in square footing or larger 2) Rear dual is twice of single equal to 161 sq-in of foot-pad or larger = 12.7 in square footing 3) Rear dual w/tag is 243 sq-in of foot-pad or larger = 15.6 in square footing 4) At least use all above size or larger to correct stinking problem. 5) Adding “still” larger soft layer of wood or aluminum 1/2 “ or thicker plate with 20% larger surface than foot-pad will give longer time standing without serious indentation spot. FWIW Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Not the tires, Jerry.... The jack's ram stinks into the assfault. | ||
| Jon W. Rating: N/A |
I am really curious as to why a completely different system would be added to a coach when the coach already has about 95% of what it takes to use the suspension system for levelling? As a comment, I have seen heavy coaches with hydraulic levelers sunk right into the ground through blacktop. Not exactly the best way to be invited back. | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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I have to agree with you Jon. Just one more system to maintain. Ron | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A |
I loved my hydraulic levelers. Regardless of how uneven the parking spot was, I could get the bus level. Also no movement when walking thru the coach as is common on most air suspension levelers. I carried four pieces of oak 2x8's about 12 inches long to use under the jack feet and never had problem with them sinking into the blacktop. Richard | ||
| Jon W. Rating: N/A |
Richard, with every choice there is definitely a drawback, but there is nothing more satisfying than hitting the "auto" leveling button, while sipping a liquid refreshment. My coach rocks gently as we enter or walk around inside, but we do not notice it, and from time to time it goes out of level, but after having this system I would never consider something that required me to poke around under the coach. I'm not ridiculing your choice, but trying to point out that sometimes simple is a lot better. | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A |
John MC9 quotes “Not the tires, Jerry.... The jack's ram stinks into the assfault.” All hydraulic lift has “foot-pad” on end of 2” or larger shaft. OK……Re-read my post again. Perhaps next time I include above quote to whom not familiar about hydraulic lift system parts. Sorry. About hassle; Everyone I have contacted with since 97, love them. You can by-pass automatic to manual control. Anytime you want to check under carriage…you can but first slipping an metal “U” shape blocking spacer onto ram’s shaft between cylinder & foot-pad…..now craw under to inspect or adjust or lube or rotate to check tire condition or whatever. Once it installed… it a lot less problem than jacking & blocking 4 times if you’re in young & good heath! Another word in the long run you may not want to get your jack out just to do safety check because of hassle……later you wish had not skip safety or wear check to avoid costly break down or worn-out parts. Whether you know it or not…all GOOD NAME CHARTER BUS COMPANY does under carriage preventive maintenance check. To keep them on road for reliable & low operating cost as well safety. I have done 2 years of that with a large meat packing firm in the 60’s. It your safety & money...do whatever you please and wish you well & enjoy. FWIW Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Re: "For parking on soft surface such as asphalt, sandy, wet muck soil or thin concrete….always use reinforce foot-pad that at LEAST AS LARGE OR LARGER than coach’s tire rolling surface. " That's fine, if the front is being lifted by one jack for one wheel. But many of the hydraulic jack systems use only one lift for the front, mounted in the middle of the unit. They do that to prevent chassis twisting! If done that way, all the weight of the front end would be on that one jack on the surface of the pavement. Most normal concrete parking lots are not designed for that much weight to such a small area (asphalt would be out of the question), unless the weight could be distributed evenly across a very large area. That was the reason for my question regarding the way the jacks would be mounted. | ||
| Don Ripley
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I have an 85 Prevost and installed a hydraulic system by Big Foot.It uses a four point jack system and it is one of the best items I ever added to my coach.Im a full timer so it really pays for me to have it.I have had the system for over two years and I have not had any problems using it. | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
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John MC9...Yes that being done on stick-an-staple type but not on heavy bus type. Reason equip 3 points is to save cost to keep selling price completive. They do twist while entering them. No way for me. All 4 units hydraulic is set-up to be 3 points when lifting. Front are tie together via tee for lift (down force) but rear are independent for side lift as well lift. It work like air spring plumbing but no levelers. FWIW Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
Makes sense. Thanks Jerry. | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
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Question for Don Ripley...where on your Prevost is lift unit installed? Thanks. Sojourn For Christ, Jerry | ||
| Russ Barnes (Neoruss)
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Sojourner - That's incorrect! Neoplans tie the rear air suspensions into one and the fronts are independant. And "Bigfoot" hydraulic levelers are built for large vehicles and all four are independent. Just to set the record straight. |
