Jacking up the coach

I like the "Up Scotch Creek without a paddle" word play...

The standard to get the coach up safely to change tires is logically a lower standard than to leave the coach for an extended period that includes you
actually being under it. The temptation is to "just take a look at X..." Don't do it - especially on an unknown coach!

You asked for clarification on jacking the rear in such a way to then put something under the bogies...the frame around the rear wheels area looks
plenty solid from the curb view of it - it is not strong enough to jack directly on the frame, or put a single jack stand under it. If you distribute
some weight it does fine - that's why I said I use a 4x4 (at least two feet long) between my 3 ton jack and the frame. There are cross members every
four feet or so that go side to side
Here are some pics of a frame by itself
http://www.gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com/stuckey/
Ideally, you want to catch one of these "T"s in the frame, with a distributing block on your jack. Lift only enough to take the weight, reduce air bag
pressure to not overextend the shocks, then continue lifting enough to then place stout wood blocks under the bogie.
Alternately, you can jack under the bogie directly, and then crib up the frame for safety.

--
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC
 
You should put a piece of plywood over the grass or at least a pice of 2x10 a foot long. This should prevent your jack from sinking down into the dirt or grass.

Emery Stora
emerystora

>
> Quote:
>> So, there are 6 jack stands total. 4 in the rear, two in the front.
>> This is in an enclosed, heated, well lighted shop with a concrete floor.
>> I didn't get to be 80 years old by being stupid about jacking heavy
>> stuff off the ground. Safety first.
>> Jim Hupy
>> Salem, Oregon
>
> Sounds great James but I will not have the luxury of having the concrete floor and workshop. She's sitting outdoors, 300 miles away in a storage yard
> on grass with temps in my pick up window (late March) just above freezing. No power and the only tools and cribbing available will be what I drive out
> there with. Despite the less than optimal conditions, I have to change the 10+ year old tires one way or another.
>
> I don't think I'll attempt to raise up the entire coach but I would like to do the rears in one go if possible.
> Some of my apprehension and need for advice is due to TOTAL unfamiliarity with the GMC regarding everyday stuff like the frame, bogeys, front A-arms,
> stringers etc. I have not yet seen the underbody of any GMC coach, not just mine!
>
> All I have to go on to prep for the work is the advice from the forum and what images I can find on the net.
>
> The coach is located in a small community called "Scotch Creek" and I don't want to be up there "without a paddle"
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach VIN TZE167V101295 - 39,000 miles
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> So, there are 6 jack stands total. 4 in the rear, two in the front.
>
> Sounds great James but I will not have the luxury of having the concrete floor and workshop. She's sitting outdoors, 300 miles away in a storage
> yard on grass with temps in my pick up window (late March) just above freezing. No power and the only tools and cribbing available will be what I
> drive out there with. Despite the less than optimal conditions, I have to change the 10+ year old tires one way or another.
>
> I don't think I'll attempt to raise up the entire coach but I would like to do the rears in one go if possible.
>
> Larry

Can you move it to concrete or pavement? Jacking and working on dirt is a real PITA.
I've hauled around patio stones plus thick plywood to put jacks and such on. Especially bad in spring.

--
Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC, gotta check the VIN
 
:d

Thank you so much for the pictures of this Larry! I have been reading about this over and over and just couldn't quite get my head around
it...eureka! I finally get it!

~Kathy
1976 Eleganza
 
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6509-blaze-orange-bogie-leaf-spring.html

Rob and I are getting a set of these spring bogie supports made up and we need to know the best length.

Some members suggest up to 13-1/2" inches or so but from reading various posts on the use, others think that's too long and would be difficult to
remove. Some say no need to go any longer than 11" ...consensus/opinions?

Oh and after you've finished the job, when do you remove them? Before bringing the coach completely off the jack? When the wheels take the weight?
After you air up the bag?

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 Palm Beach VIN TZE167V101295 - 39,000 miles
 
Mine is 16" x 2.5" x 3/8" thick. Not too long. I would go 7/16" thick next time.

Neil (Elvis)
1977 Kingsley 403 Mostly Stock
Calgary, Alberta

From: "gmclist"
To: "gmclist"
Cc: twlldeen
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 10:45:05 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Jacking up the coach

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6509-blaze-orange-bogie-leaf-spring.html

Rob and I are getting a set of these spring bogie supports made up and we need to know the best length.

Some members suggest up to 13-1/2" inches or so but from reading various posts on the use, others think that's too long and would be difficult to
remove. Some say no need to go any longer than 11" ...consensus/opinions?

Oh and after you've finished the job, when do you remove them? Before bringing the coach completely off the jack? When the wheels take the weight?
After you air up the bag?

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 Palm Beach VIN TZE167V101295 - 39,000 miles

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
You can insert them just when the jack starts to take the weight on the bogie going up. After you lower the jack and the tires start taking the weight of the coach, lower a bit more and feel when the supports are loose. Then wiggle them out. I leave my bags aired up the entire time.

Neil (Elvis)
1977 Kingsley 403 Mostly Stock
Calgary, Alberta

From: "gmclist"
To: "gmclist"
Cc: twlldeen
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 10:45:05 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Jacking up the coach

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6509-blaze-orange-bogie-leaf-spring.html

Rob and I are getting a set of these spring bogie supports made up and we need to know the best length.

Some members suggest up to 13-1/2" inches or so but from reading various posts on the use, others think that's too long and would be difficult to
remove. Some say no need to go any longer than 11" ...consensus/opinions?

Oh and after you've finished the job, when do you remove them? Before bringing the coach completely off the jack? When the wheels take the weight?
After you air up the bag?

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 Palm Beach VIN TZE167V101295 - 39,000 miles

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Mine are 11” x 3” x 7/16”.
They work just fine.

I remove them when the wheels take the weight.

Bob Dunahugh told me that he had quite a bit of spring leafs and that he intended to cut them up to make inserts for jacking up the GMC and make them available for GMCers.
Anyone might want to contact Bob if they need them.

Emery Stora
emerystora

>
> You can insert them just when the jack starts to take the weight on the bogie going up. After you lower the jack and the tires start taking the weight of the coach, lower a bit more and feel when the supports are loose. Then wiggle them out. I leave my bags aired up the entire time.
>
> Neil (Elvis)
> 1977 Kingsley 403 Mostly Stock
> Calgary, Alberta
>
>
> From: "gmclist"
> To: "gmclist"
> Cc: twlldeen
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 10:45:05 AM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Jacking up the coach
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6509-blaze-orange-bogie-leaf-spring.html
>
> Rob and I are getting a set of these spring bogie supports made up and we need to know the best length.
>
> Some members suggest up to 13-1/2" inches or so but from reading various posts on the use, others think that's too long and would be difficult to
> remove. Some say no need to go any longer than 11" ...consensus/opinions?
>
> Oh and after you've finished the job, when do you remove them? Before bringing the coach completely off the jack? When the wheels take the weight?
> After you air up the bag?
>
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach VIN TZE167V101295 - 39,000 miles
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Don't EVEN use jackstands unless they're on concrete. I don't use them at all except for temporary support when I'm not going under the coach. I
like 4x4 or 4x6 cribbing. Lots of it.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
 
Wood will never fail you. A jack stand? Maybe. Even improperly placed wood
usually works fine.

Sully
Bellevue wa

On Sat, Jan 23, 2021 at 5:49 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> Don't EVEN use jackstands unless they're on concrete. I don't use them at
> all except for temporary support when I'm not going under the coach. I
> like 4x4 or 4x6 cribbing. Lots of it.
>
> --johnny
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Larry, I just recently moved 8 wheels and tires off a GMC SUV. I have a Dodge Grand Caravan Mini Van. I definitely
could tell that I had a bunch of weight in the van even though 4 of the wheels were factory steel and 4 were factory
Aluminum. You'll probably be surprised how big each tire and wheel assembly is and how much each one weighs. Make sure you use
at least a decent Mini Van or pick-up truck.
--
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 
I just had a conversation with Bob Dunahugh and while he's not posting, he's watching.
He's working to clean out his garage and has a few bogie bars for jacking up the rear of the coach.
$15 plus shipping till they're gone. If you're interested call him at 31NIne-52One-489ONE.
--
Douglas & Virginia Smith
dsmithy18 at gmail
Lincoln Nebraska
’73 “Canyonlands” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels(finally!)/Sundry other
 
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Applied GMC

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