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Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Yahoo Message Number: 86367
We try to be very careful every time we have to go in or out a driveway but sometimes there is little recourse but to navigate a steep driveway very slowly and at an angle to prevent or minimize dragging the rear end. We have a 2002 Intrigue 36-foot and twice now in the past 8 years we have severely scraped the bottom of the engine oil pan. A couple of years ago we had the pan replaced because it was crushed far enough to be considered risky. Since then we have been even more diligent about avoiding situations that would cause dragging but somehow we again have a badly scraped oil pan. The mechanic at Colton Truck felt it necessary to replace the drain plug that was badly damaged but integrity of the pan is still intact despite the current scrapes.
A low-profile pan was suggested and I have seen such a pan on a "sister" coach but when I called Cummins and provided them with my engine serial number, they said that if it was an 8.3 liter engine I could get away with the oil volume of the low-profile pan but my ISL 370 engine is 8.9 liter and they strongly recommended against switching over to a low-profile pan because of the 4-quart reduction in oil volume.
Having a rock pan fabricated has also been suggested but that would just extend down further than the current oil pan and would certainly get crushed under similar situations. Sooooo ... I am considering installing skid wheels and have found an area on the rear-most frame (just forward of the hitch) where such wheels could be mounted. My concern is getting wheels that will carry the load of the rear of the coach during a slow speed drag and even if the wheels were strong enough, would I be doing any damage to the rear frame of the coach? The only wheels that are recommended for a Class A coach over 34 feet are 6-inch in diameter and 2-inch wide and it is questionable whether they are really strong enough for a Class A with the weight of a rear diesel engine. A set of 2 of these swivel skid wheels would extend down about 7-1/2 inches. These heavy duty wheels are also pretty pricy!
So that is the homework that I have done so far. Does anyone have comments or inputs that may be of help?

Thanks, Steve B (2002 Intrigue #11382)

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86368
I didn't see anywhere in your post that you were using the lift feature on your air ride. If not, try that as you can lift the coach usually about 3" from standard ride height. I usually stop at the curb and hit the raise button on the air ride allowing time for the rig to raise to full height then proceed at an angle slowly into the driveway. If you have not tried this, it will help give you additional ground clearance - may not be enough since I don't know your area, but may do it for you.

How this helps.
Pete

03 Allure #30916

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86371
Pete,

I thought about building something similar to what you are talking about but on my 42" Affinity I was thinking of locating it closer to the rear motor mounts. I had considered using steel wheels on pivoting / spring loaded arm that would pickup the ground before it was truly needed and depress a switch that I could tie into my HWH air ride so it could start raising the coach if needed.
Kevin Burns

2000 Affinity #5865

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86372
You can make up for the 4-qt reduction in oil volume by installing something like the Gulf Coast Filter - it adds 6 quarts to the overall volume and provides an additional degree of filtration - if you want to get into that sort of thing. There are other brands, but the GCF is the one I am familiar with.

Mike Cebula
Magna #5266

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86376
Steve, Hi, I had a capable friend mount "Skid Wheels" on the rear engine mount frame many years ago on my 2003 40' Allure. This after cracking the fiberglass oil pan and replacing.
I've tried in the past to paste my photo's to a reply post without success so I'll send them to you offline. If someone can give me instructions on how to post for the website I'd would do so.

Thanks, Mike 03 allure 1st ave. 40' Tag #30898

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86379
Mike, I would like to see your skid wheel photos too. Thanks

Gary

03 Intrigue 11509

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86420
Pete wrote:

I didn't see anywhere in your post that you were using the lift feature on your air ride. If not, try that as you can lift the coach usually about 3" from standard ride height. I usually stop at the curb and hit the raise button on the air ride allowing time for the rig to raise to full height then proceed at an angle slowly into the driveway. If you have not tried this, it will help give you additional ground clearance - may not be enough since I don't know your area, but may do it for you.
Pete - Thanks for that tip. I had forgotten about that but will keep that in mind. Meanwhile I am still pursuing various skid wheels and have appreciated the comments, inputs, and photos from Mike, Bill, and others. I have been in touch with Ultra-Fab who makes/distributes skid wheels and have found a local vendor in southern California where we currently are. I will post my results when I figure out what I'm going to do.

Thanks all, Steve
2002 Intrigue #11382

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86447
Hi Steve, I replaced our oil pan after a trip to Alaska in 2008 and fabricated fixed skid wheels at the same time. No marks on pan since then, over 50,000 miles. We're in Yuma now and will be in the SoCal area i the next month? Call if intrested, 239-349-0119........Skip 2002 Intrigue #11329

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86544
I was waiting for Skip to respond as I essentially did the same based on his design. I was almost changing my pan on a yearly basis and am now on #4. It is still shinny and the wheels did their job several times as evidenced by the jolt when the wheels make contact with the road. I used 1/4 steel with the 8" wheels cut from 1/4 plate steel. Used 1" axel. Welded the braces to plates that were bolted to the bottom of the frame. Will try to create a picture album labeled dolly wheels.

Ed McManus....02'Intrigue.....11361

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86546
Partial hijack...

Our 04 Allure, has a plate of metal welded below the oil pan for a stout looking skid pan. We're not the 1st owners, so may have been added by him. Or, is this stock, and pans are being ripped anyways?
We'll follow the thread on the wheels, as they could save the rear bottom body from damage.
I also was given the tip from Don Seager to raise front or rear as needed. But to watch the rear's travel limit, or I could bust a rear shock. Straps for that, not yet on.
I've dragged over some dirt a few times so far, and the skid pad took the dirt ride OK. Wondering if anyone else has them too? Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 40'
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Skid Wheels to Protect Oil Pan

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86547
Smitty

The skid plate on your 2004 Allure is a stock item. Mine had one straight off the lot when I bought it new in 2004. The 370 Cummins is mounted very low in the 40 ft 2004 Allure as well as quite a bit forward compared to my 2003. I am short and cannot reach the back of the engine standing outside the access panel.

Don Seager

Former CC Owner

GSmith77_7 wrote:

Partial hijack...

Our 04 Allure, has a plate of metal welded below the oil pan for a stout looking skid pan. We're not the 1st owners, so may have been added by him. Or, is this stock, and pans are being ripped anyways?
We'll follow the thread on the wheels, as they could save the rear bottom body from damage.
I also was given the tip from Don Seager to raise front or rear as needed. But to watch the rear's travel limit, or I could bust a rear shock. Straps for that, not yet on.
I've dragged over some dirt a few times so far, and the skid pad took the dirt ride OK. Wondering if anyone else has them too? Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 40'