Community Forums

Olroache · 03-13-2019, 01:00 AM

Sometimes when the coach is leveled on the jacks the entrance step is very high. Will it cause any damage if I dumped the air and let the coach sit lower like that for 1-3 days?

Thanks
Orville

2009 DutchAire DP 44ft
Cummins 425hp
Spartan

saddlesore · 03-13-2019, 01:22 AM

I don't think it will harm anything..
We do not have leveling jacks, only air leveling and I dump the air then manually level.

(DW has short legs so gotta keep the entry steps close to the ground.

Miramichi · 03-13-2019, 02:38 AM

You should dump air first to get the coach as low as possible prior to levelling. On your chassis (same as mine) I find the rear air takes a little longer to disperse.

When I was hitting auto level with out manual dump first, the jacks would always go to the front first and level the coach with an increased overall height. Now it sits nice and low, dependent on a nice level lot of course.

Oh and to answer your original question, the coach can sit dumped forever with no issue.

lostinfla · 03-13-2019, 06:39 AM

In quite a few campgrounds I've found the sites to be very close to level. In such case, I just dump the bags and let it sit low rider without the jacks. After we get the active air installed, I shouldn't have to worry about that.

Long Island Mac · 03-13-2019, 06:58 AM

As stated above: I always use the air bags when camping. Lower on manual, then hit Auto. Air bags level couch, and that's it. The air pump may/may not come on and add air as temps drop at night. Occasionally run jacks up n down to exercise them.

twojayhawks · 03-13-2019, 07:15 AM

We also prefer a low sitting coach. After we are settled I'll manually dump air and if everything looks good that's it- no jacks.

C.Martin · 03-13-2019, 07:38 AM

Our 2016 HWH System will dump the air bags when Auto Level is initiated... It appears to be on a timer...and then starts extending jacks in sequence based on lowest side first.

I’m not sure why people are having to manually dump the air???

The jacks have a finite range of motion. The lower the coach is to the ground...not only is it easier for people to reach the first step...it’s easier for the jacks to hit the ground and begin leveling. If I am really on a slope...I put pads under the low side jacks to make sure they have the range to prevent “excessive slope” fault...where they extend fully, and still cannot Level the coach.

C.Martin · 03-13-2019, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twojayhawks

We also prefer a low sitting coach. After we are settled I'll manually dump air and if everything looks good that's it- no jacks.

I look at the Jacks as another level of safety...

If your tanks still have air pressure, transmission in neutral, jacks retracted, and a pet or child accidentally pushes in the parking brake knob...I wonder where the coach might roll???

Jacks Down, or drain the air tanks so the Spring Brakes (Parking) cannot be released... Something to prevent the coach from rolling.

I also put a Guard on my Parking Brake control...so it cannot be released.

Mr_D · 03-13-2019, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostinfla

In quite a few campgrounds I've found the sites to be very close to level. In such case, I just dump the bags and let it sit low rider without the jacks. After we get the active air installed, I shouldn't have to worry about that.

That's what I did with our previous Dutch Star and present CC.
Active Air install is scheduled for late April (next month).

TJ · 03-13-2019, 08:39 AM

We carry one of these for those occasions where a site is not level and the fold-out step it too far off the ground for comfortable access.

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Plat...75218457&psc=1

TJ

winniman · 03-13-2019, 08:39 AM

Good point on draining the air down to prevent the spring brakes from accidentally being released. This can be done by pumping the brake pedal down. Once the air goes under about 45 lbs, the brakes cannot release. Another possible reason for deploying the jacks that I have read, is if a leak in one of the air bags happens, it can twist the rv. This can result in breaking of the windshield due to twisting of the frame. I have only 2nd hand knowledge of this, as it happened to one of the Youtubers I have followed. They had only air bag leveling. If that is all you have, I guess you have no other choice.

TJ · 03-13-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

I look at the Jacks as another level of safety...

If your tanks still have air pressure, transmission in neutral, jacks retracted, and a pet or child accidentally pushes in the parking brake knob...I wonder where the coach might roll???

Jacks Down, or drain the air tanks so the Spring Brakes (Parking) cannot be released... Something to prevent the coach from rolling.

I also put a Guard on my Parking Brake control...so it cannot be released.

Good thoughts, Charlie. I like the parking brake control guard idea.

TJ

lostinfla · 03-13-2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Our 2016 HWH System will dump the air bags when Auto Level is initiated... It appears to be on a timer...and then starts extending jacks in sequence based on lowest side first.

I’m not sure why people are having to manually dump the air???

.

On our coach we have the same system. I still dump the bags first because the coach doesn't have enough time to fully deflate the bags before the jacks start to deploy. I like to start at the lowest possible point.

JMonroe · 03-13-2019, 10:40 AM

I'll pile on with those that tell you to dump the bags before activating the jacks.

We had the exact same experience before I learned to dump the bags first. 90% of the time this will work just fine. For those occasions when the steps are still too high we do carry one of the folding (legs) steps.