Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Join Truck Conversion Today
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-04-2005, 03:18 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Default

Just wondering if anyone has ever tried to use hydraulic rams to level/stabilize their large RVs. Right now the truck seems to sway alot when ever anyone moves around in the box. The truck (before conversion) weighs in at 18000#. Right now it has a lift gate on the back thats coming off but we were thinking about leaving/stabilizing the electric over hydraulic setup on the truck to use for various things. If anyone have any thoughts, comments, or pictures of what they did it would be much appreciated.

~Kirk
__________________

Kirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2005, 06:08 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Canton, GA, USA
Posts: 191
Default

Do a websearch for Bigfoot levelers. They aready make what you're looking for wiht all the controls you'd need.
__________________

__________________
Sean P. Clarke
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing
WERA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2005, 07:41 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Ash Fork AZ
Posts: 127
Default

Kirk; i second WERA`s post

i just got the Bigfoot leveler kit for the "387" Pete that we are building :
very nice and complete kit (everything is there; welding plates, nuts& bolts, manual, wiring harness,....), easy to install (no thick hyd lines to run ; every foot has its own hyd pump/tank)....not bad for under $3000 delivered
all the parts look to be very high quality......im realy impressed
we went with the HD auto leveling setup; 4 of the 26" long rams (20" lift) mounted 10" off the ground (rated to lift the complete conversion clearly off the ground).
the foot pads are very large at 10"x10" (we camp a lot in the sand/desert) but i think i will make some 16"x16"x1" plywood pads to slide under the feets for realy soft areas
i will have pics of the parts/ installation soon
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------
-our Pete "379" Toterhome (Cummins N14/ Super 10 trans) https://sandcentral.net/trucks
-our dune/desert buggies https://sandcentral.net/cars/
-in the shop: Pete "38
spooner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2005, 10:33 AM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Default

Thats basically what I was looking for. Personally I don't mind doing all the plumbing and using 1 central pump. I would with and service heavy equipment ever day so the hydraulic aspect isn't really a problem. From the looks of their website they bolt directly to the frame? Does the provide a wide enough stance when you are out in the desert or soft terrain? I was thinking about trying to build some kind of truss that spaced then 8"-12" off the frame one each side. Also, how do you determine where they are supposed to go?

Thanks,
~Kirk
Kirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2005, 11:35 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: N.E. Ohio
Posts: 768
Default

Save yourself alot of work on the out rigger idea, use a set of Bigfoot levelers and just carry large pads for real soft ground. You will be rock solid stable.

Check with Jason at Big Foot on placement. On both of mine conversions the front jacks where located just behind the fuel tanks up front (on this rig they are slightly staggered). On the back they are just behind the rear wheels. (Single axle)
__________________
2012 Showhauler 28'6" Motorhome on a Columbia w/ 450 Mercedes.
Warpath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2005, 10:00 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,083
Default

....one word...."BIGFOOT"....don't waste your time with anything else....looked at a sign truck an the guy has 3 Hydraulic levelers....$8500 installed....will lift the front of the truck 6' in the air....but for what-we don't do signs do we?....geofkaye
__________________
women-food-money-naps...not necessarly in that order
KAYE RIVERCITY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2005, 12:26 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Default

I'll look into the Bigfoot kits. For me right now 8500 is pretty steep when for about 1000 installed I can have something that works just as well. The main thing I was looking for was ram placement. Does anyone have any close-up detailed pictures of the Bigfoot style jacks? I assume they work similar to a trailer jack on a semi trailer or heavy equipment trailer where there are 2 box beams that slide inside each other. If anyone has any schematics that might have come with their kits that they could scan in it would be greatly appreciated.
Kirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2005, 07:25 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Ash Fork AZ
Posts: 127
Default

Kirk
here are some pics:

one of the hyd rams; something like 3.75"x 26" and frigging heavy...its a two-way cylinder ; no return spring to brake/loose

the 4 tank/pump/solenoid boxes; can be mounted direct onto the ram or remote...gives you a lot of ram placement freedom.

there are heavy weld on brackets included; some guys weld them right to the truck frame upright...i personaly do not like welding on the tempered steel beams and will weld the mounting plate to a base plate that is bolted to existing holes in the frame.
the two front rams will be placed after the front axle (right between the front spring hangers and the battery/toolboxes).
the two rears will be right in front of the rear spring hanger.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------
-our Pete "379" Toterhome (Cummins N14/ Super 10 trans) https://sandcentral.net/trucks
-our dune/desert buggies https://sandcentral.net/cars/
-in the shop: Pete "38
spooner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2005, 01:58 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Default

spooner... how is the ram retained inside the ring (kept from sliding out the top)? This is exactly what I had in mind to do. Thanks for the pictures.

~Kirk
Kirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2005, 04:54 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hanford,CA,USofA
Posts: 786
Default

Hey Kirk-
I think you misunderstood something (maybe not?); the $8500 install Geof mentions was for the sign truck, NOT a Bigfoot install. Spooner (above) mentioned the "kit" was $3000 delivered, and I doubt very much it would take $5500 in labor to put it in. Anyway, just though I might clear up a possible misunderstanding.
Carry on......
Gary
Gary Atsma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2005, 09:28 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,083
Default

....correct elmundo! Gary....the sign truck hydraulic setup is a three point with a hundred foot pole crane/man hoist -it needs to be level to stop tip over side to side and the easiest way to stop side to side tip is with 1 stiff leg in front and 2 outrigger side feet about 8' from each side of the truck in place....neat and safe and compact BUT they cost a bundle....all hydraulic off both a poney engine and PTO unite.....geofkaye
__________________
women-food-money-naps...not necessarly in that order
KAYE RIVERCITY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2005, 09:51 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Default

Yeah... I misunderstood what he was saying. Where did you get yours for under $3k?

~Kirk
Kirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2005, 04:13 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hanford,CA,USofA
Posts: 786
Default

I didn't get them; Spooner did.
Check futher back in this thread for his post.
Gary
Gary Atsma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2006, 09:11 PM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 29
Default

I going to be different. I'm trying the equalizer system. I got the manual control from Jeff at Rvaddons.com http://www.rvaddons.com/default.asp?cmd=home&UrlToken=C...YO7MV5&UrlID=306 0687

$2450 delivered. He knew about all the systems and swears by this system. He claims is has more pressure and only one pump to install. (Requires less room on your truck to install) I hope I'm not going wrong, but have had a great working relation with Jeff. He is on the ball. I'll let you know. They should be here soon.

Before ordering, the cheapest I could find the bigfoot was $4350. However, just recently I found on www.azrvinc.com a full auto bigfoot system delivered for $2995. Not a bad price.

I'll let you know on my levelers.
__________________

RBlack is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×