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07-04-2016, 08:53 PM
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#1
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Member
Forest River Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 33
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Leveling Jacks - Auto or Manual Retract
Currently I have a Coachmen Cross Country 407FW, it has the LCI hydraulic leveling jacks. This used to happen with my last gasser MH also; when I press the 'retract all' button, the MH comes down fast. Sometimes it's very nerve wrecking the way it comes down harsh.
With my current MH, I have the option to go into manual mode and press and hold the 'retract all' button to bring up the jacks. I haven't tried this yet to see if it brings them up any slower or not.
Not sure if I am just being paranoid and letting the MH come down automatically although harsh at times is just fine, or if I should try manual retract.
Thanks for any opinions.
__________________
RC
2017 Coachmen Cross Country 407FW
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07-05-2016, 12:30 AM
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#2
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,076
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"RC".....Here is a procedure that might help your situation AND save your back. When you arrive at a campground, connect your water, electric and sewer before you do anything else. Pull out any items, like chairs or tables that are located in bays that are under slides.
Once you've done the above, follow your coach's procedure for leveling and slide extending. When you're ready to depart, most coaches will have you bring in the slides, prior to retracting jacks. Retract your slides and then start the coach. Allow it to air up. When you feel the coach starting to lift (airbags inflating), push your jack retraction button. This will prevent that sudden drop because the jacks are already lifting off of the ground. Once done, disconnect your shore connections and you're ready to go.
The above procedure, connecting your power first and disconnecting it last will also provide additional power for slide operation, versus using just the batteries.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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07-05-2016, 12:45 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don
"RC".....Here is a procedure that might help your situation AND save your back. When you arrive at a campground, connect your water, electric and sewer before you do anything else. Pull out any items, like chairs or tables that are located in bays that are under slides.
Once you've done the above, follow your coach's procedure for leveling and slide extending. When you're ready to depart, most coaches will have you bring in the slides, prior to retracting jacks. Retract your slides and then start the coach. Allow it to air up. When you feel the coach starting to lift (airbags inflating), push your jack retraction button. This will prevent that sudden drop because the jacks are already lifting off of the ground. Once done, disconnect your shore connections and you're ready to go.
The above procedure, connecting your power first and disconnecting it last will also provide additional power for slide operation, versus using just the batteries.
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X2, took me a few trips to catch on to airing the coach up before retracting the jacks. No more jostling me around when the jacks come up, as stated above once aired up the jacks are inches off the ground and therefore no longer supporting the weight of the coach.
__________________
US Navy Vet, Liberty Tree Member of Oath Keepers, NRA & VFW Life Member, Alaska EMT.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40 SKQ
2009 Winnebago Chalet 231CR
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07-05-2016, 06:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 3,012
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Good suggestions if you have airbags. We have the same situation as you but no airbags. I find that manually retracting seems a little less harsh, but sometimes harsh too. I don't know any other solution.
__________________
Shell Bleiweiss
2014 1/2 Thor Challenger 37KT
Sedona, AZ
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07-05-2016, 07:17 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Alberta
Posts: 598
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Isn't the manual and auto mode only for extending the jacks? The only button I have is the retract all jacks and once that button is pressed they all retract automatically. I don't think there is a way of bringing it down slowly.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40'
350 HP Cat
2014 Ford Focus
Air Force One
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07-05-2016, 08:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G Schulz
Isn't the manual and auto mode only for extending the jacks? The only button I have is the retract all jacks and once that button is pressed they all retract automatically. I don't think there is a way of bringing it down slowly.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40'
350 HP Cat
2014 Ford Focus
Air Force One
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I believe the poster meant that airing up would take the weight off the jacks, thus retracting without as much, or no, pressure.
Bronk
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07-05-2016, 12:58 PM
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#7
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Member
Forest River Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 33
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Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I wasn't waiting long enough for the bags to air up.
I appreciate the help everyone!!
__________________
RC
2017 Coachmen Cross Country 407FW
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07-09-2016, 12:52 PM
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#8
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Member
Forest River Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 33
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How long does it take to air up? I high idled for 10 minutes and it didn't raise the coach. Once I hit retract all then it finally started to air up. I want it to air up before I retract the jacks so the pressure is off the jacks. I have the LCI electronic system.
__________________
RC
2017 Coachmen Cross Country 407FW
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07-09-2016, 02:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 165
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If you dumped the air bags with the manual button or auto level it will not air up until you push the store button. My coach does not have a manual fill button on the leveling control. Just manual dump or store which inflates the air bags and retracts the jacks. Some coaches will inflate the air suspension if you push the brake button in. Not sure that is safe unless you sit there with your foot on the brakes or chock the wheels. I just push store and go for the ride doesn't seem to hurt anything. You can let the coach down with the manual buttons but it will still go pretty fast just won't be all 4 at once.
__________________
07 Winnebago Vectra 40 TD ISL 400. Tru-balance, centramatics, Koni shocks
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07-14-2016, 09:09 PM
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#10
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Member
Forest River Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don
"RC".....Here is a procedure that might help your situation AND save your back. When you arrive at a campground, connect your water, electric and sewer before you do anything else. Pull out any items, like chairs or tables that are located in bays that are under slides.
Once you've done the above, follow your coach's procedure for leveling and slide extending. When you're ready to depart, most coaches will have you bring in the slides, prior to retracting jacks. Retract your slides and then start the coach. Allow it to air up. When you feel the coach starting to lift (airbags inflating), push your jack retraction button. This will prevent that sudden drop because the jacks are already lifting off of the ground. Once done, disconnect your shore connections and you're ready to go.
The above procedure, connecting your power first and disconnecting it last will also provide additional power for slide operation, versus using just the batteries.
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I talked to Freightliner today and they said that on their chassis, the solenoid to fill the air bags won't open until the jacks are fully retracted. I guess I'll be hitting the retract button and going for the ride. That stinks.
__________________
RC
2017 Coachmen Cross Country 407FW
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