Leveling

[captpar]

Should the motor be running to lower and retract the levelers?

[captpar]

Should the motor be running to lower and retract the levelers?

[Scratch & Goose]

Hello;
Your choice, just have the key on....
Scratch

[Toby]

There should be no need to have the motor running unless you have weak batteries. The levelers have their own pump, so they do not need any help from the motor. s/Toby

[Alan_Hepburn]

Doesn't it depend on the design? On my Bounder to operate the jacks and the slides the engine needs to be running, the transmission in Park, and the parking brake set.

[Dsouthw524]

ONe can usually level either way (running or not). However, I choose to run the motor for a couple of reasons.
1. less strain on the battery charge.
2. allows the engine and tranny some cool off time from the travel load.

[Dwain]

In our Holiday Rambler, we run out the slides first then drop the jacks and level the coach.
Set the e-brake first.

Monaco rigs will not allow the slides to move in or out with the engine running, so we just have the key turned on for power. Haven't had any problems with our system using this fashion.

[Digital Boy]

You're driving a diesel coach with air bags, I presume. In my experience to level with the engine running means that you're trying to level with the air bags full. Not a good idea.

My procedure is to shut the engine, turn the key to accessory, purge the air from air bags, level the coach (HWH hydraulic jacks)and then extend my one slide.

Hope this helps!

[Pusherman]

As someone else said -- "Depends on the coach". Many diesel coaches with air bags do not have a manual dump valve. The air bags are dumped when you start the leveling process by pressing the level button (on the HWH system).

One thing to keep in mind is that HWH recommends leveling the coach before deploying the slides (so they don't bind if not on the level, I presume).

I agree -- if the batteries are strong, no need to run the engine to level or deploy slides.

[Richard 34A]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dwain:
In our Holiday Rambler, we run out the slides first then drop the jacks and level the coach.
Set the e-brake first.

Monaco rigs will not allow the slides to move in or out with the engine running, so we just have the key turned on for power. Haven't had any problems with our system using this fashion. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Interesting... on my MH, Winnebago recommends just the opposite: leveling first, then putting out the slides. Winnebago recommends bringing in the slides before raising the level jacks too.

They also recommend running the engine in all cases so as not to drain the battery.

[BobD]

I also run the engine while leveling the coach prior to extending the slideouts.
Have not had any problems at all.

[Tom N]

In very close quarters I often put the slides out when parking to make certain I have clearance.

The photo below was take, on the beach, at Myrtle Beach. Sites are tight here.

-Tom

[Izzyblueye]

I like to run the motor while extending the jacks first, then the slide out. I use the motor while retracting the slide, it is just easier on the battery. Also if your are about to leave the c/g it gives the drive line a little warm up. retracting the jacks, no motor is necessary, the springs take care of that. It is a personal thing as long as your batteries are good.

[Digital Boy]

On my Newmar I shut down the engine, turn the key to ACC, purge the air bags, level the coach then open the slide (1).