Torsilastics and Levelers....ok to leave bus with wheels off the ground?

[basil]

Question - when sitting for extended periods, do folks think it is better for the long term health of torsilastics to leave the full weight of the bus on them, take the full bus weight off and leave the wheel weight on them pulling in the opposite direction, or something in between?

Thanks for your thoughts

[luvrbus]

Basil, take the load off the torsilastics about 3 or 4 inches leave the wheels on the ground the shocks and the jacks are under too much strain with the wheels off the ground has worked years for me.
Did you get the BigFoot levelers


good luck

[JohnEd]

My trailer came with Tor. suspension.  I know it isn't the same as a Iggle.   They wanted the weight off of the suspension when the trailer was not in use....including sitting empty.

John

[rusty]

Basil, Raise the bus 2 or 3 inches and it will help to make the springs last longer. ( as Clifford said). I have had the 05 up when not in use and with the heavy front axle the springs in the front have not moved in 7 years.

Good Luck Wayne

[Van]

Basil how have you been, missed you guys at Quartzsite

[basil]

Thanks guys.

I did get the Bigfoot Quadra levelers, just had Gary at B&B put them on.  Fronts are at the back of the wheel well just outside the torsilastic mounts with some reinforcement in the bay wall.  Passenger rear is behind the wheel well in the battery compartment (batts had been moved to the passenger rear corner of the engine compartment in the AC compressor space).  Driver rear is between the fan and the engine about a foot back from the wheel well.  My air dryer is right behind the wheel well and it did not seem worth moving.  They seem to be working well, with the only problem being at full extension the fronts blow the 80 amp bus breaker.  The Quadras draw 100amps max and I decided to skip running a new cable from the back of the bus.

They will lift the whole bus 6 inches off the ground, but that did not seem like a good way to store it.  I'll take the weight off the wheels but leave them resting on the ground.

We made it most of the way to Quartzite but then diverted to LA last minute given the rain/mud comments we were seeing on the board.  Hopefully we will make it next year.  I am working on a roof deck on the bus with some integrated solar.  Hopefully I'll be finished by then.

Plus you must see my genset mounted in front between the steers.  It took forever for me to get it enclosed and sound proof, but I will say I think the bus rides better with the extra 1000# up front.

We just took the bus to the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite, and we are going to the Grass Valley Festival in a couple weeks.

Van, my brother is having a bachelor party in vegas and wants to use the bus to go to Peach Springs, AZ for a day of white water rafting July 17.  Would you be interested in helping me out with the drive?  I'd be happy to make a contribution to your bus fund.

[JohnEd]

The more weight you can take off the rubber, the longer it will last and the more adj you will have.  I don't agree with Clifford on this.  He says that leaving the wheels hanging on the shock shafts will harm them.  The shocks are designed to safely absorb the "IMPACT" of the suspension springing open while under way and going to the limit.  That seems that it would be far more abusive than a "dangle".  At some time you will have to lift one end or the other off the ground to get level.  Lifting the tires is supposed to be easier on the tires.

I will say tat leaving the shocks at ful extension will xpose te entire shaft to the ar and moisture.  I would et down the shocks with somthing the mr approves and that won't screw up the seals to kep the shafts from oxidizing and that might not be vuisable to the eye.  Less and less is visable to mine, I know.

They will lift the whole bus 6 inches off the ground, but that did not seem like a good way to store it.  I'll take the weight off the wheels but leave them resting on the ground  Good work!!!!

John

[Van]

Basil, Be happy to help c'mon down.