Community Forums

RonD1 · 08-28-2015, 10:51 PM

On our 05 Dynasty it has two leveling systems, the air bag system is a HWH, the other is the jack system, 2 in the rear, one in the front made by RVA. I have owned it for a few years, the drivers side rear leveling jack sticks and has retraction issues, I knew it when I bought it, I have never had it fixed, we have been using the air bag leveling and it works well, I now have it in the shop getting the sticky jack fixed, I think it will be nice for extended stay stops, less movement inside. My question is what is the best way to level with both systems, I am guessing to level with the air bags like I have been doing, then push the auto level button on the RVA and let the jacks make contact and finish it off, but I really don't know so that's why I am asking, thanks Ron

nodine · 08-29-2015, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonD1

On our 05 Dynasty it has two leveling systems, the air bag system is a HWH, the other is the jack system, 2 in the rear, one in the front made by RVA. I have owned it for a few years, the drivers side rear leveling jack sticks and has retraction issues, I knew it when I bought it, I have never had it fixed, we have been using the air bag leveling and it works well, I now have it in the shop getting the sticky jack fixed, I think it will be nice for extended stay stops, less movement inside. My question is what is the best way to level with both systems, I am guessing to level with the air bags like I have been doing, then push the auto level button on the RVA and let the jacks make contact and finish it off, but I really don't know so that's why I am asking, thanks Ron

Ron,

If it were me I would level with the air bag system and then place the jack system in the manual mode and lower each jack until it just touches. If you put the system in auto I think it will raise the coach higher during the leveling process. The jack system is programmed to place the single front jack down first and raise the front a few inches. That is to make sure that the rear jacks pivot the coach on the front jack as opposed to twisting the frame. This will result in the rear jacks needing to raise the rear of the coach to achieve level.

Bob

Gdawgs · 08-29-2015, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonD1

On our 05 Dynasty it has two leveling systems, the air bag system is a HWH, the other is the jack system, 2 in the rear, one in the front made by RVA. I have owned it for a few years, the drivers side rear leveling jack sticks and has retraction issues, I knew it when I bought it, I have never had it fixed, we have been using the air bag leveling and it works well, I now have it in the shop getting the sticky jack fixed, I think it will be nice for extended stay stops, less movement inside. My question is what is the best way to level with both systems, I am guessing to level with the air bags like I have been doing, then push the auto level button on the RVA and let the jacks make contact and finish it off, but I really don't know so that's why I am asking, thanks Ron

Nodine is correct. My owner's manual warns not to use both systems in auto mode. If jacks are to used first level with the bags then use the jacks in manual mode to firm up the bag position. Monaco warns the two systems will conflict with each other when trying to level in auto mode.

K7JV · 08-29-2015, 07:49 AM

You will want to turn off the HWH system after it finds level, as it checks for level periodically, and will make adjustments if it detects what it thinks has been a change.

Also, I've found that at times that on initially setting up, the HWH will find what it thinks is level, but we will be able to tell from things like the bathroom door, and even our internal biological levels, that we aren't quite there. And sure enough, after a few minutes it will tweak it.

We found that our '06 Dynasty has movement with either system. The only real difference is the frequency and feel of the movement. I will try to be subjective here by saying that on air, (HWH) the coach will ROCK, slightly, when people move around. On the jacks (Power Gear), the coach will JIGGLE, slightly, when people move around. That's because on one system the air bags are the primary absorber of the effects of the movement. On the other, the frame is the primary absorber of the movement. I can see where it might be nice to try and use both.

But I would make sure that I liked the "level" that the HWH sought before I firmed it up with the jacks.

Gdawgs · 08-29-2015, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K7JV

You will want to turn off the HWH system after it finds level, as it checks for level periodically, and will make adjustments if it detects what it thinks has been a change.

Also, I've found that at times that on initially setting up, the HWH will find what it thinks is level, but we will be able to tell from things like the bathroom door, and even our internal biological levels, that we aren't quite there. And sure enough, after a few minutes it will tweak it.

We found that our '06 Dynasty has movement with either system. The only real difference is the frequency and feel of the movement. I will try to be subjective here by saying that on air, (HWH) the coach will ROCK, slightly, when people move around. On the jacks (Power Gear), the coach will JIGGLE, slightly, when people move around. That's because on one system the air bags are the primary absorber of the effects of the movement. On the other, the frame is the primary absorber of the movement. I can see where it might be nice to try and use both.

But I would make sure that I liked the "level" that the HWH sought before I firmed it up with the jacks.

We have the Valid air bag system and Lippert jacks. Generally the only time we feel movement when using only the bags is when the washer goes into the spin cycle. We never use the jacks.

RonD1 · 08-29-2015, 11:51 AM

Great information, so it looks like level with the bags and let it stabilize then turn the system off and drop one jack at a time to contact and that's it, thanks I shall try it

jsmmonaco · 08-30-2015, 01:30 AM

I asked the dealer about the leveling...........they said after you have parked the vehicle, dump the air so the coach sits on "on the frame", then use the auto-leveling feature to level it.......it made sense, but now not sure.................

nodine · 08-30-2015, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

I asked the dealer about the leveling...........they said after you have parked the vehicle, dump the air so the coach sits on "on the frame", then use the auto-leveling feature to level it.......it made sense, but now not sure.................

That would be true with your coach because you do not have air leveling. All these folks that replied to this post except me have dual systems with both the air leveling and the hydraulic jacks. In their case the air should not be dumped.

Bob

Steve Ownby · 08-30-2015, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

I asked the dealer about the leveling...........they said after you have parked the vehicle, dump the air so the coach sits on "on the frame", then use the auto-leveling feature to level it.......it made sense, but now not sure.................

You really need to walk around the coach before you dump air. If the slope of the site puts the door pretty high then dumping some air makes it easier to climb in & out of the coach.

If you dump air, make sure the full width hanging mud flap in the rear is pushed back so it won't get jammed between the ground and chassis. Also check that there isn't a rock or other obstacle that might impact the coach when you air down. Be sure there isn't something in the area of the exterior step that could damage the step when it goes down.

I have air leveling only and I rarely air down.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

bruceisla · 08-30-2015, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

You really need to walk around the coach before you dump air. If the slope of the site puts the door pretty high then dumping some air makes it easier to climb in & out of the coach.

If you dump air, make sure the full width hanging mud flap in the rear is pushed back so it won't get jammed between the ground and chassis. Also check that there isn't a rock or other obstacle that might impact the coach when you air down. Be sure there isn't something in the area of the exterior step that could damage the step when it goes down.

I have air leveling only and I rarely air down.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

jsmmonaco · 08-31-2015, 12:42 AM

i guess I am really confused now............I have an air suspension system but you do not use it for "leveling" the vehicle............three jacks, one front two back, do the leveling..............I think that since I bought the good sam extended warranty, I think I should follow the owners manual.............which for the knight says stop the vehicle at campsite, extend the sides, dump air bag suspension, use the leveling system............doesn't really make sense, but..............thanks everyone

bruceisla · 08-31-2015, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

i guess I am really confused now............I have an air suspension system but you do not use it for "leveling" the vehicle............three jacks, one front two back, do the leveling..............I think that since I bought the good sam extended warranty, I think I should follow the owners manual.............which for the knight says stop the vehicle at campsite, extend the sides, dump air bag suspension, use the leveling system............doesn't really make sense, but..............thanks everyone

Just something to think about ... I prefer to dump the air suspension BEFORE I extend the slides. I do that so I can walk around and visualize where the slides will extend and make sure that any posts/pedestals/fencing will not hit the bottom of any slide.