Community Forums

EngineerMike · 04-17-2010, 03:33 PM

Don- there are rigs whose leveling has a dump feature, but the coach mfgr opted not to buy the separate switch setup that allows you to push a button to release air while moving the coach. This has come up on other forums here on iRV2. Worst case is you could add one of your own. The dump system(s) run by powering solenoid valves (occasionally 4, usually one per axle, sometimes one per coach), so you could add your own momentary switch, relay(s) as needed per solenoid valve, and double tap the OEM wiring to the solenoid valve(s). The switch should be set up where and in a way you won't accidentally activate air dump, but that is easy enough using a spring-loaded rocker mounted out of the way of knees, etc.

Clonetrooper · 04-17-2010, 04:11 PM

Reply to Don's question, I have a 38' Discovery DP and I can dump my air bags and move my coach. I usually leave my air bags aired up because I think they're like tires. Might tend to crack when they are squished down. I have a dump switch/lever and usually dump before leveling. Might be the wrong idea but...
Can't remember what my height is but probably about 12' 3", maybe a little more with sat.
Really am happy with my Discovery, only a few years younger than your Coach if you ever go looking. And Fleetwood is still in business.

Regards
KC

thebings · 04-17-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks for your reply's, this is good news for me. When I bought my Bounder and brought it home, it would not fit into my barn. I raised the door and trusses from 11' to 13' thinking that would be more than sufficient for any future upgrades. However I added a 4" cement floor so now only have 12' 8". I just didn't want to do this all over again. KC, the fleetwood brands are high on my list, so good to hear from you.
Don

Renipladlo · 04-17-2010, 08:53 PM

Although APEX is different from all the other Alpines I think in regards to how it levels, here is the way mine does it. And although on a concrete pad type of site, I don't have to put out a jack blocks but I do, so the Hyd Jacks dont have to extend as far down, just the way I do it.

When we are ready to level the coach, I push a button on the Silverleaf (which is tied into the HWH leveling System-same thing different visual view) it dumps all the air, and as EM said counts 30 seconds elapsed time, then starts to auto-level the coach based on an (electronic level in the HWH control box). Once it's level were done, but we always check with a bubble level on the kitchen counter just to make sure. Sometimes it does not quite get it where I want it, so I usually raise the drivers side up a tad bit more, because I have two slides on that side which will pull the coach down a little if I don't.

Now to the original question, I don't dump when in storage, I leave the bags pumped up, and until my front bags were fixed so they do dump, one used to bleed off. I have not noticed this happening since the repair, but we have been on the road, and it has not been in storage. I will leave them pumped up once we get home so I can see if that bag looses air and if it does, I will spray some soap solution around and see if I can pinpoint where it's leaking. Like the fellow said, it's sitting on a rubber bag (think tire) and that is better than unlevel on the frame bumpers out of level. The air bags would take up some of the unlevelness of the site it sits in storage in I would hope. JMTCW.