Front wheels off the ground when using Bigfoot levelers?

[gmacklem]

I have seen this talked about here but don't remember if there was any consensus on the subject or if anyone knows what Bigfoot or Forest River recommends. Is it ok to have the front wheels off the ground after using the Bigfoot levelers? What does Bigfoot and Forest River say about the matter?

I try to use the leveling blocks to keep the wheels from coming off the ground, but there are a lot of times that I don't have enough blocks. I know when these things are jacked up for service the wheels are off the ground, so it doesn't seem like it should hurt to do it while camping, at least for a few days.

I don't let it take the rear off the ground due to the parking brake and transmission being in park holding the coach from rolling.

So, what say the experts?

[DXSMac]

I have asked the question too, and never got any consensus. I have a class C Sunseeker 3170 and I don't like the front wheels off the ground. (And there have been some occasions when I have had one side of the BACK wheels come off the ground......)

If the wheels come off the ground, lower the Big Foot, and put wheel chocks and "lincoln logs" (It's those Orange Lynx Blox, I call them "lincoln logs") down, drive back onto them, and retry the big foot. When your wheels come off the ground, I find it's best to start with two rows of the "lincoln logs" but you have to "stair step" them. It's easy to figure out. If you need more than two rows, then start over again.

I'm not an engineer, but I don't think it's good for the motorhome to have wheels in the air.....

[Boso]

Wheels off the ground won't hurt anything it's just part of leveling the Rv and it is ok with all brands of levelers

[17Racer]

Yep, front wheels being off the ground is fine as long as it auto leveled or you manual level using the pairs technique.

Back wheels are possibly another problem as when the level jacks lift the frame the air bags are pushing down on the axle. So for the wheel to be off the ground the air bags could be stretched out farther than they should be. Probably best to block up the rear tire so that condition does not happen.

[Boso]

Absolutely x2 17racer

[BobHanke]

I no longer use the auto level function. Instead, in manual mode, I first get the jacks to the ground on the opposite side of what the indicator wants just enough for stability. Then I level up as the keypad suggests. Jacks to not extend as far with this method, wheels stay on the ground more often and we are still level and solid.

[Boso]

I normally use the auto and in most cases and I have to manually lift the front end a little higher to level because the front jacks don't extend as far on auto as they sometimes need to be in order to level have never been in situation where rear jacks needed to be off the ground but I'm sure it happens and yes the front jacks are already extended so that the front tires are are off the ground but not quite level

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by BobHanke

Jacks to not extend as far with this method, wheels stay on the ground more often and we are still level and solid.

I have noticed that the auto level will say the front is level, then put the rear up a little more and then have to add more height to the front. Seems it would be a little smarter and quite with the coach as low to the ground as possible.

I will say, it is quite good at getting it back to level. I put some bubble levels on just for a visual after having it auto leveled. Now when I auto level it, the bubbles go right back to center.

[Boso]

Agree if you can keep the wheels on the ground do so I'm talking camping in hilly country not at the beach have had my exhaust on pusher in the ground and wheels in the air with 2x10 under front jacks that was at Martinsville race camping

[youroo]

Wheels off the ground and a 10cent step! Youroo!!

[6inthefamily]

Originally Posted by BobHanke

I no longer use the auto level function. Instead, in manual mode, I first get the jacks to the ground on the opposite side of what the indicator wants just enough for stability. Then I level up as the keypad suggests. Jacks to not extend as far with this method, wheels stay on the ground more often and we are still level and solid.

×2

In my experience the auto leveling feature adds unnecessary height.

[mkekflyers]

I started with the auto level function on my Sunseeker 3050 as well. Found the same thing some others have experienced, front end off the ground & entire unit way high. Like the others, I look over my levels on the floor, run the jacks down manually till they touch, then use the "pair" process. I've found I can level most times with all 4 on the ground and good and solid. Found I prefer this method to the "auto" feature, do it a few times and it becomes natural...

[Bluepill]

Remember with any motorized RV that the rear wheels are what lock with the parking brake and the transmission park lock, so always keep them solidly on the ground.

[wana65stang]

Here is a auto level example!!

[silverback 35ts]

Just level the coach, it is not a Forest river, or bigfoot issue, all MH at one time or another "might" have the ft wheels off the ground in attempt to level the coach, If you have a RV fridge you must level the coach, if you have a residential fridge you will feel much more comfortable if level. So just let the system do it's job and level the coach.
Happy Camping

[gmacklem]

Thanks everyone. I didn't see any reason it would hurt the front wheels. I definitely don't want the back wheels off the ground. I love the levelers but didn't always use them because I was worried about the front coming up. Now I will just use it.

[youroo]

Another Wheels Up and 10 cent step! Youroo!!

[goots]

It's not good to have the front wheel off the ground not safe read your booklet that came with the RV about your Big Foot System you need to reset your Jacks on a level parking lot.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by youroo

Another Wheels Up and 10 cent step! Youroo!!

Youroo, your the last person I would ask. At my house I couldn't put a drink on the table and take my hand off of it in your TT...

[goots]

so don't asks.........