Ride height adj

[jimbo2013]

Made appointment next Tuesday do have the ride hgt adjusted.

Freightliner says 10" in front, (there are two in front one in the rear)

9 3/4 in the rear.

Right now they are all about 1" more than that.

My question is this for a bit of a puzzle.

On the scales the left front is 600 lbs heavier than the right, is there a way to figure out how much more or less (fractions of an inch) in ride height L/R to transfer a few hundred pounds so they are closer.

[KIX]

Originally Posted by jimbo2013

........................
On the scales the left front is 600 lbs heavier than the right, is there a way to figure out how much more or less (fractions of an inch) in ride height L/R to transfer a few hundred pounds so they are closer.

Unless the weight is liquid then you won't be able to transfer and weight by adjusting ride height. If you weight difference between front right and left is 600# you should physically move some of that weight to the lighter side.

[Route 66]

Adjusting the ride height can/does indeed change wheel weights (loads).

I had Spartan adjust my ride height several times to correct axle weight imbalances.

However, there is no formula and it's more of an art than a science.

On air suspension vehicles, adding weight to one side causes the ride height valve to add more air to the heavy side to bring it back to the correct ride height.

Ride height adjustments should be done when weighing all 4 wheels to observe individual wheel weights.

Once Spartan got my MH within side to side weight tolerance, but they said to reduce the imbalance any further, the MH would be leaning and not level.

It's a bit of trial an error to get the ride height and wheel weights as good as possible.

["007"]

Here is a thread on ride height.

[ahicks]

Jimbo, hopefully your dealer will take more than just the suggested heights into account when setting your coach up. I'd say your question asked as you are dropping it off might help tell them more about what you're expecting?

[jimbo2013]

Not dropping it off, I'll be there working with him.

[MRUSA14]

Spartan told me that ride hight must be +/- 1/8 inch from recommended or there will be problems with wheel alignment, differential wear, etc. I asked them to adjust ride height to shift weight and they would not do it for reasons stated above.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by jimbo2013

Made appointment next Tuesday do have the ride hgt adjusted.

Freightliner says 10" in front, (there are two in front one in the rear)

9 3/4 in the rear.

Right now they are all about 1" more than that.

My question is this for a bit of a puzzle.

On the scales the left front is 600 lbs heavier than the right, is there a way to figure out how much more or less (fractions of an inch) in ride height L/R to transfer a few hundred pounds so they are closer.

Unlike the Some other chassis, your Roadmaster has two valves on the drive axle and one on the front, so a change in the front ride height is not likely to affect side to side weight. Just make sure the ride height is at spec.

I know some try to shift weight with the ride height but I think it's a bad idea. The ride height and the entire air suspension is designed to work in the dynamic situation of over the road travel. 400 pounds side to side imbalance on a 30k pound coach is not significant. Inflate the steer tires for the weight on the heavier tire.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[jimbo2013]

Not a Roadmaster it's a FL XC, 1 in the rear, two in the front.

[jimbo2013]

Ok shop I stopped at didn't know enough, said there was no adjustment, well there is.

Two ways there is one bolt to the chassis that has a slot that can be used, but real PIA to adjust.

Found the a standard way to to make the adjustments is with an adjustable link so simple no one ever mentioned it here.


or


the rubber link lets the rod slip to any adjustment just tighten with the clamp in pic.

I'm ordering three of them, no more worry about making minor adjustments or have the coach lower on top of you.

[Crasher]

I am fortunate enough to have a ride height valve at all four corners on our Power Glide Chassis. there is a 1/4" range up or down from the recommended height. Manufacturer told me that I could adjust anywhere within that range to distribute the weight where needed. I had one "Rear" valve 1/4" too high that when corrected shifted 500#s from the front right to the front left to get them within 100#s of each other. The ride height plays a big part in getting the proper balance. Shifting basement load will have little effect unless you are carrying your gold bars with you.

[jimbo2013]

found another type on Ebay $10 ea, they are so simple to adjust and safer than other ways

[ahicks]

Looks sturdy as all get out, but might lack in adjustability? I mean, we already know 1/4" length can make a difference. What do you do here if you're half a hole off?

[jimbo2013]

Good ?

But 1/2" on the rod holes only change height 1/4"

So you can do 1/8" easy if needed