Air Down while backing into shed?

[CaymanPilot]

Hi All,
We are new to irv2 and this is our 1st post. We have a "new to us" 09 Monaco Cayman 35 SBD which we will store in a Morton building. We've measured 12' 6" to the top of the A/C units with the motorhome aired up at ride height. The ladder handrailing is a little taller at 12' 10". The door and rafters in the building also measure 12' 10" from the floor so it's gonna be a tight fit. Is there a way to move the motorhome while it is aired down? It is my understanding that the air brakes will not allow the motorhome to move if there is not sufficient air pressure. Is there a way to dump enough air to lower the motorhome a few inches so it clears the rafters but still have enough air pressure for the brakes to work? I only need a few inches for the ladder to clear. Thanks for any information and/or suggestions.

[Drifter]

With no air the brake is engaged. Try it.

[lostagain]

Yes, I use to do it a lot with our Monaco Diplomat, just don't let to much air out or as you stated the brakes will lock up. If you hear the buzzer go off you let out to much air but it will build right back up.

[Jimmyzw22]

Either way from your measurements your flirting with disaster if your RV airs up after getting it in there. You will be hard pressed to always maintain the air pressure lower than the 12.10 you need to clear the ladder.

[a10koaksfed]

I would be tempted to adjust my ladder permanently. Once accomplished, I have solved the issue.

[FDNYdave]

Not Familiar with your Unit but couldn't you just let some air out of the tires.

[NW Knight]

Use a bypass valve on the air bag lines to dump the just the bag's but keep coach pressurized ..or simply "fool" the ride height adjusters into thinking you are at std height w/ no air in bags. The later might be harder as the "factory" ride height valves may be 100% mechanical. In either case you should be able to continiously control ride height and maintain ability to control the braking application.

[Chuck 1935]

On mine I dump the air bags on the levelers and drive into the garage while the suspension is flat. It is does not effect the air brakes at all.

[CaymanPilot]

Thank you all for the good ideas. I believe I'll try to keep the air at a level where the brakes still work and the ladder clears. If that doesn't work, I may explore ladder modifications. May just do that anyway so I don't have to worry about it. Thanks again for the suggestions.

[Perry White]

Just dump the air from the chassis and go like hell before it airs back up.

[Eric_H_E]

what kind of floor? Gravel, dirt, cement?

Is it possible to lower the floor?

[CaymanPilot]

Floor is pea gravel. I rent space in the building so lowering floor is probably not possible. It will be a challenge to keep the air at a low level using the dump button while steering, watching the mirrors and listening to the walkie talkie. Ladder mods are definitely looking the best right now although that may be a challenge also.

Tried to attach photo that shows ladder from rear of motorhome.

[macadnphyl]

On my Freightliner chassis, I can dump the air bags, thus lowering
the chassis, and it has no effect on the air brakes. You could drive for
miles, but you would decrease your ground clearance !!

[CaymanPilot]

macadnphyl - On the Cayman, there is just a switch marked "Air dump" and when I push it, both the front and rear air pressure gauges show the system loosing air. I don't know if this affects the air brakes or not. Tomorrow I will go to the storage shed and try this out to see what happens.