Embarrassing Attempt to Level

[LewF]

I take a deep breath to relate something that happened to us recently and hopefully find out what happened or prevent someone else from the same mistake (ultimately this turned out OK to give the bottom line up front). Recently we stayed at a campsite that was quite a bit out of level with the coach leaning to the right. Our HR Endeavor has the three point hydraulic leveling system and I went through the routine of putting slides out, dumping air etc, and then attempting to automatically level, all in the same routine we had followed many times in the past. Well as I thought might happen, the system wouldn't auto level because it was too far off, and it shut down after a time and the control panel blinked indicating too far off to auto level. I then put the 1 1/2" plywood pads I made under the leveling jacks and tried again - same result.

Here is where I think I went astray. A very well meaning neighbor saw my attempts and brought me two, 2 x 8 pads he was going to throw away and said I could have them. I put the two additional pads under the rear leveling jacks and tried again to auto level - the stuff hit the fan at this point. I was on the road side of the rig and noticed it was really leaning in that direction. This was the high side when we started the leveling process, and the leveling system was still pumping away trying to rotate the coach further in that direction. I ran to the other side of the coach to see that the right rear wheels were off the ground, way off the ground, and told my wife to quickly retract all jacks. She did so and things settled out. When she retracted the jacks the systems was still pumping away and continuing to rotate the coach so far over that my road side slide (full side slide) nearly hit the electrical power pedestal. At this point we, both of us still shaking a bit, manually leveled to stabilize and left things alone.

I have no idea why the system didn't recognize it was trying to turn the coach over and didn't shut down as it had the previous two attempts but something about putting the extra block under the rear leveling jacks really messed things up. We used the system in automatic five subsequent nights during this trip, at different campsites, and everything worked fine. Needless to say I will not use more that the 1 1/2" plywood pads in the future.

I cannot describe adequately how much this scared my wife and I; I think had she not retracted the jacks it may have turned the coach over. Anybody got any ideas what happened??

[LewF]

I take a deep breath to relate something that happened to us recently and hopefully find out what happened or prevent someone else from the same mistake (ultimately this turned out OK to give the bottom line up front). Recently we stayed at a campsite that was quite a bit out of level with the coach leaning to the right. Our HR Endeavor has the three point hydraulic leveling system and I went through the routine of putting slides out, dumping air etc, and then attempting to automatically level, all in the same routine we had followed many times in the past. Well as I thought might happen, the system wouldn't auto level because it was too far off, and it shut down after a time and the control panel blinked indicating too far off to auto level. I then put the 1 1/2" plywood pads I made under the leveling jacks and tried again - same result.

Here is where I think I went astray. A very well meaning neighbor saw my attempts and brought me two, 2 x 8 pads he was going to throw away and said I could have them. I put the two additional pads under the rear leveling jacks and tried again to auto level - the stuff hit the fan at this point. I was on the road side of the rig and noticed it was really leaning in that direction. This was the high side when we started the leveling process, and the leveling system was still pumping away trying to rotate the coach further in that direction. I ran to the other side of the coach to see that the right rear wheels were off the ground, way off the ground, and told my wife to quickly retract all jacks. She did so and things settled out. When she retracted the jacks the systems was still pumping away and continuing to rotate the coach so far over that my road side slide (full side slide) nearly hit the electrical power pedestal. At this point we, both of us still shaking a bit, manually leveled to stabilize and left things alone.

I have no idea why the system didn't recognize it was trying to turn the coach over and didn't shut down as it had the previous two attempts but something about putting the extra block under the rear leveling jacks really messed things up. We used the system in automatic five subsequent nights during this trip, at different campsites, and everything worked fine. Needless to say I will not use more that the 1 1/2" plywood pads in the future.

I cannot describe adequately how much this scared my wife and I; I think had she not retracted the jacks it may have turned the coach over. Anybody got any ideas what happened??

[TXiceman]

Is the Monaco different? In every book we have seen and the coaches we have owned, it specifically noted to block and level first then put out the slides. When preparing to leave, pull in the slides and then retract the jacks.

Looks liek to me that with the slides extended first, you could be palceing them in some strange stress as the frame twist while leveling.

When we knew we were going to have a problem leveling, I would place blocks under some of the wheels prior to leveling so that I would not pull any of the wheels off the ground.

Ken

[MonacoMama]

Ken...
Monaco coaches ARE different...
Honest to goodness- Monaco almost demands that you put slides out - dump air- jacks down
(Heck.. I had one Service Advisor yelling at me to stop the very first time I was pulling the slides in with the jacks down!! )


Lew...I don't know what the answer is to your question. I will be curious to read the responses...

MM

[SacsTC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I think had she not retracted the jacks it may have turned the coach over. Anybody got any ideas what happened?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Lew,
I have no idea why it continued, but it sounds like it was doing what was asked of it.
I also have no idea how many inches of dunnage you put under the right rear jack, but even if the jacks were all the way retracted, you cannot put more than about 9-12 inches under there. The jacks have a max extension of no more than 18" (and I don't honestly think they will go that far out). Unless the left one was sinking into the ground, you would still only have about 18" out of level. I guarantee you that monster MH will not even begin to flip without being at least 3 feet up on one side. (Although I grant you that a foot to 18" out of level would definitely have my heart pumping overtime)

And Ken, Yes, Monaco is different. They state that since everything is built while the coach is sitting on its tires and air suspension, including fitting the slides, that "Jacks Down" is the last part of the sequence.

[Ed S]

We have an 06 Endeavor and learned how to level just this year. The three point system is ok but I think there are tricks or maybe just a better way to level than to send the jacks down.
What I do if I am low on one side or front or back is to drive up on blocks to get closer to level then I always put blocks of wood under the jacks. Mine are made out ot 2x6 lumber and are two 2x4's high or about 3.5 inches. If there is a real dip in the ground I will go two high. I never use the auto level any more. I lower the front jack first until it hits the ground and up just a bit, then on to the two reals and then adjust all as needed. I did pick up one of those blinking levels to place on the floor (forget the name but can secure if need be) as I level. End result, less hassle and level. Not sure if my way is the best or even proper but sure works for me.

[LewF]

SacsTC

I am sure you are right regarding the inability to turn the coach over but when you have the right rear wheels substantially off the ground and the road side slide about to smash into the electric pedestal it sure seems like it's going over. I had about 3 1/2" under the two rear leveling jacks. I was very surprised how far the right rear jack had extended - I had never seen it extended even half that amount before this incident. I suspect that somehow the level sensor that the system uses to control its movements somehow lost the ability to sense its position when it was so far out of level and the last command - pump up the left rear - just continued until we shut it down. Needless to say we will watch carefully in the future but all subsequent auto level operations at other campsites have worked well. I will not put more that the 1 1/2 plywood pad under the jacks in the future and if it will not level in auto I will use manual.

I note that you have replied to Ken - yes the Monaco chassis and level procedure is different.

Thanks for the reply SacsTC.

[LewF]

SacsTC

I think the system was following "last order" and somehow the severe angle caused the level sensor to send an erroneous signal, that is all I can think of.

You are right, the coach could probably not be turned over, but with the right rear wheels WAY off the ground and the road side slide about to smash the electrical pedestal, I was probably not able to accurately judge - maybe even exaggerated the situation in our minds a bit. I have to tell you I have not had an adrenaline rush like that since being shot at in my younger days. It will tune you right up quickly.

I had 3.5 in of blocks under the rear jacks. I did note that the right rear jack extended about two times the length I had ever seen it extend in the past and the left rear was actually retracting when we shut it down.

The auto level worked every time we used it at other campsites subsequent to this event but in the future I will only use the 1.5 in pads and level manually if auto level doesn't work on the first attempt.

Thanks for the reply.

I note you answered Ken - Monaco is different - slides movement only with the chassis airbags fully inflated and leveling only when the "house" is down on the frame, i.e. air suspension deflated.

[SacsTC]

Hi Lew,
If the jacks continue to lift one side (or the rear or front) farther than necessary, there is a reset procedure for the controller. I think it is in the owner manual, but it could be part of the individual parts installed packet. Had to be done on ours as the rears would extend all the way every time no matter what. We put up to 5" of blocks under ours if needed depending on the terrain.

[Camelot Camper]

Wow, this makes me glad we have AIR ONLY leveling.
CC

[moisheh]

Camelot Camper:

The Monaco air levelling is great!!. We still carry a selection of 2x8 and 2x10's. No matter what style of levelling system you are using, if the unit is quite far of level then use the boards to get it close and then the jacks. Extreme levelling can crack a windshield. There is no true Park Brake on a DP. If you jack the rear wheels off the ground your MH could roll off the jacks !! It happens.

[Camelot Camper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by moisheh:
Camelot Camper:
We still carry a selection of 2x8 and 2x10's. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I should have added that I still have to use "manual mode" to get the coach in the "ball park" if parking on a bad slope. The "auto mode" is usually able to take it for there for fine final leveling.
CC

[nodine]

Lew,

It sounds to me like you tried to continue an in process level procedure after you placed the blocks under the coach. I believe for the auto level function to operate correctly it must start from the beginning will all the jacks fully retracted. The processor goes through a sequence monitoring the movement of the coach and making adjustments to level the coach. I believe it is imperative to always start the auto level from the all jacks retracted position. If you need to use blocks and do not wish to retract all jacks to the fully retracted position then you should use the manual mode and purchase one of these:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ez-level/35617

By the way, I contract in Oak Ridge and retired from ORNL.

Bob

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LewF:
SacsTC

I am sure you are right regarding the inability to turn the coach over but when you have the right rear wheels substantially off the ground and the road side slide about to smash into the electric pedestal it sure seems like it's going over. I had about 3 1/2" under the two rear leveling jacks. I was very surprised how far the right rear jack had extended - I had never seen it extended even half that amount before this incident. I suspect that somehow the level sensor that the system uses to control its movements somehow lost the ability to sense its position when it was so far out of level and the last command - pump up the left rear - just continued until we shut it down. Needless to say we will watch carefully in the future but all subsequent auto level operations at other campsites have worked well. I will not put more that the 1 1/2 plywood pad under the jacks in the future and if it will not level in auto I will use manual.

I note that you have replied to Ken - yes the Monaco chassis and level procedure is different.

Thanks for the reply SacsTC. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[SacsTC]

Since this problem/question has come up before, and there are quite a few of us that have SFT model Monacos, I thought I would post this link to the Recalibration Procedure.
This procedure is using Touch Pad 500629/140-1226.

For others, go to Powergears website and you can download manuals, order parts etc. The recalibration procedures can be found in the FAQ section.