On the Level

[otto802]

Greetings! Recently new owner of a 1979 MCI-5c Saudi, we were able to go out 3 weekends this fall. I have never owned any vehicles riding on air bags. The previous owner told me that I should park it with jack stands holding it up to preserve the air bags.

What is the best practice? We will be set up for the season at a campground nearby this summer and will be living out of the bus. I know I will need to level it, but should I be attempting to lift all four corners and keep weight off of the bags? When I park it for the winter should I be using jack stands or just let it rest on it own?

To note- there is no built in jacks or leveling on the bus. I am having to use aux jacks and jacks stands to lift it.

[dtcerrato]

We use wood blocking under the bulkheads. No need to jack, just drive it on blocks to level it then block under the bulkheads. When the suspension air leaks down, the bags will be static with only the axle weight on the tires. Been doing it that way for almost 5 decades.

[Dave5Cs]

You could use jack stands in the same way, just don't put them under the body. Make sure they are under the bulkheads because the body itself will bend when the airbag's leak down unless yours is like mine. I have leveling valves but no hoses hooked to them. I have a sealed system and my airbags stay where I put them. Paddle valves up front with one supply air line to them and 4 hoses to each bag set. I can adjust as needed and level as needed. If more than adjustments then I do use blocking or wedges where needed.

[otto802]

We use wood blocking under the bulkheads. No need to jack, just drive it on blocks to level it then block under the bulkheads. When the suspension air leaks down, the bags will be static with only the axle weight on the tires. Been doing it that way for almost 5 decades.

Can you show me a few photos of the blocking at the bulkheads?

[lovetofix]

Here are a few pictures of the wood cribbing under an MCI 102-A3 I'm working on.
You want to put the wood blocks under the part of the bulkhead where the torque rods are attached.

[dtcerrato]

Front & rear blocking on our 4104

[otto802]

Thanks Dan, that's very helpful! Are you jacking it before inserting the blocks or just using the height that the air bags provide?

[lvmci]

On my MCI5A I used wood blocks that were about 1 1/2" to 2" lower than the bus at full air bag height.  When you air up later, you can just pull them out by hand. Large base of wood to distribute the weight, a rope or large handle to put it in or pull it out...

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Leveling Blocks.