Leveling sequence for Holiday Ramblers

[nuckels11]

We just replaced our 1997 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with a 2005 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. There seems to be a difference in the leveling sequence between the two. Our 1997 said to expel the air, lower the jacks and then extend the slide. The 2005 indicates that the slides should be extended with the air bags inflated and then lower the jacks and level. Likewise on retraction of the slides - start the engine to fill the air bags, retract the slides, and then retract the jacks. Having seen several posters with slide problems, we are wondering if the wrong leveling sequence could be partially responsible. Can anyone enlighten us on the correct leveling sequence for this vehicle?

[Our Time]

Monaco procedures are different from any other coach.
Slides Out
Dump Air
Level coach

Departure
Start engine, air up chassis
Retract Jacks
Bring in Slides

[bgholson]

yep - same for my 2003 HR Imperial. Even the guy that gave us our walk thru when we bought it said we could put slides out with airbags full or deflate them and then put out slides. The manual is very clear: slides out with full air and no jacks! So that's the way I do it (most of the time)

[jgard489]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Our Time Monaco procedures are different from any other coach. Slides Out Dump Air Level coach Departure Start engine, air up chassis Retract Jacks Bring in Slides

Yep, that's the we were told, haven't had any problems in the 4 years we had owned the coach.

[Pairajays]

This subject has been beat to death on a lot of forums. It seems to be about 50/50 on the procedure. IMO, it doesn't make a nickel's worth of difference which procedure you use. The problem is the leveling jacks. If your system is automatic, there is no problem. If it is manual then a problem is present. The jacks are connected to the chassis and extend to the ground. With this configuration, it is easy to put your MH "out of square" when leveling manually. If automatic, this want happen. That is one of the reasons most High Line MHs use air bag leveling.

Jim E

[itdave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pairajays This subject has been beat to death on a lot of forums. It seems to be about 50/50 on the procedure. IMO, it doesn't make a nickel's worth of difference which procedure you use. The problem is the leveling jacks. If your system is automatic, there is no problem. If it is manual then a problem is present. The jacks are connected to the chassis and extend to the ground. With this configuration, it is easy to put your MH "out of square" when leveling manually. If automatic, this want happen. That is one of the reasons most High Line MHs use air bag leveling. Jim E

It looks like this info is coming from someone who does not own a Monaco Product, at least he does not state what type of MH he owns. Please follow Monaco recommendation regarding leveling I think they should know best for the coaches they built.

[Robi.1014]

Or for those of us just doing an over-nighter:

Slides out (but not necessarily all slides)
Jacks down (but only if leveling is necessary)
Satellite acquire and/or antenna up.

[JManatee]

I have a question, I have been following this procedure
Arrival:
Slides Out
Dump Air
Level coach

Departure:
Start engine, air up chassis
Retract Jacks
Bring in Slides

But I have to shut down the engine to bring in the slides and then restart to go Does everyone else have to do this?

[jim.smithjr]

Yes, that's exactly what I do as well...

[Pairajays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by itdave It looks like this info is coming from someone who does not own a Monaco Product, at least he does not state what type of MH he owns. Please follow Monaco recommendation regarding leveling I think they should know best for the coaches they built.

My post implies the leveling sequence has nothing to do with the make or model of the MH or what the owner's manual says. There is no "info" there, just my opinion. BTW, I have owned a Country Coach, a Holiday Rambler and a Beaver.

Jim E

[deSanford]

When I arrive at the campground I shut off engine. Connect the power cable, tv cable, sewer, and water. Back into the MH and put out the slides, dump air and then lower jacks. All without restarting the engine. On departure I start engine and while the engine is warming up I disconnect the power cable, water hose, tv cable and sewer is dumped hose put away. Back into the MH bring in the slides (now that I'm aired up) and drive off. Of course a couple of easy mods were made like the wire that detects that the engine is on and won't let you bring in the slides is now connected to the air brake. As long as the air brake is on the slides can now come in. Also I don't have to have the engine on in order to dump the air. I have 12 volts going to the dump valve switch and I removed the "air mufflers" from the dump air solenoids. That way the air goes out much faster and yes I can hear it escape .....which is another way of knowing the air bags are empty. One could also look at the air gauges. Another way to get the air out faster is to hold the air brake release half-way open. I like saving time and wear and tear on my engine and starter. Your situation may be different. deSanford

[jgard489]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JManatee I have a question, I have been following this procedure Arrival: Slides Out Dump Air Level coach Departure: Start engine, air up chassis Retract Jacks Bring in Slides But I have to shut down the engine to bring in the slides and then restart to go Does everyone else have to do this?

That's what I have to do also.

[JimM68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgard489 That's what I have to do also.

I don't follow my manual.
I might if I could move the slides with the engine running...

Even then itsa pain having to shut down the engine, then turn the key back on to dump the air and extend the jacks.

So far, no bad noises from anything, slides work fine, and no differently if I extend them with the air up and jacks down.

Parajays, most reasonably modern Monacos have have 3 jack powergear hydrualics, it's not possible to tweek anything. Also, powergear's automatic function doesn't work very well, and likes the coach 6 inches higher than I can do it manually. It often leves me with tires off the ground, or refuses to function at all on a big slope.

[roscoesdad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Our Time Monaco procedures are different from any other coach. Slides Out Dump Air Level coach Departure Start engine, air up chassis Retract Jacks Bring in Slides

I use this sequence also. I have found I can dump the airbags by turning the ign. switch to accessory (turn the ing. switch to the left). I still have to turn the ign. switch to on so I can extend the jacks. When doing so I have to listen to the low air warnings. Would be nice to have the slides working while the motor is running and the jacks working with the switch in the acc. mode.