Freightliner Rear Ride Height

[dutchstar03]

We have a 2003 Newmar Dutchstar on a Freightliner chasis. It seems like the rear is riding lower than originally as we seriously drag our "mud flap" thru the slightest dips. Is there an easy way to increase the height at the rear in small increments until it is back where it should be? Thanks.

[RV Wizard]

dutchstar03, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. You have air ride valves that have a rod with an adjustment that you can adjust to raise or lower the ride height. The are located near the rear axle. The rod will be attached to the frame on one end and the other is on the lever of the air ride valve. Be careful that you do not activate the valve and lower the coach onto yourself. Use jack stands to hold the weight of the coach for safety. With the engine running you can make adjustments to get the coach to the proper height. Contact the manufacturer for the proper height and were this measurement is made if you do not have it in your owners manuals.

[J Walker]

As RV Wizard said, contact the manufacturer to find the proper ride height. There is one height it is designed to have when driving. An obvious thing to check is the height of the mud flap. It should be at least 4" off the ground with the engine running. You can always change the height of the mud flap.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The ride height is critical in setting the correct angle between the engine and the rear axle. Adjusting the ride height merely to save a mud flap could be an expensive mistake, damaging the axle or drive shaft. Contact Freightliner to get the proper ride height for your chassis and set it that way. Then adjust the mud flap to hang at a reasonable height off the road.

[Pigman]

Ride height should be checked and adjusted at each maintenance interval and also at each alignment. If this is not being done, you need to have a serious talk with whoever is doing this maintenance for you.

John

[Volunteer]

All good suggestions here.

I surely don't know about all Freightliners but on mine, even though I have individual ride height adjusters on the front, there's only one on the rear. I had a devil of a time finding it until I happened to look way up above and in front of the passenger side duals. I was way too low for way too long. Got my fingers crossed that I didn't do too much damage to the rear end.

Last trip out, I gave it a treat and had the fluid changed. Hope it forgives me and stays around for a while.

[walt2137]

Volenteer to low wont hurt anything but to high will and its the drive shaft that will have the problem, I think its about 5 deg max drive shaft angle.

Walt

[dutchstar03]

I finally got a chance to crawl underneath the coach (on jack stands). It appears the rear ride height is 3/4"-1" low. I found the height control arm etc, but didn't see anyway of adjusting it. Any hints?

[ernieh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutchstar03 I finally got a chance to crawl underneath the coach (on jack stands). It appears the rear ride height is 3/4"-1" low. I found the height control arm etc, but didn't see anyway of adjusting it. Any hints?

You pivot the valve.

[Jestme13]

How do you know its 3/4" - 1" low ??? What did you measure that from? It's not a good idea for the layman to screw around with these adjustments, unless you "really" know what your doing. You will take out you drive shaft quicker then you can say TIMBUCKTEW. FL has spicific measuring points that are very critical on the + and -. The coach needs to be raised and lowered several time to get it right. Good Luck.

[walt2137]

I dont know what chassis you have but this might help.
RV Tech Library - Freightliner Chassis Topics

Walt

[Jestme13]

Walter thats very good info. The last paragraph in the ride height section is very informative.

[resindiana]

Mr Wizzard
You may be just the majic man I need to talk to.
I have this problem. Big surprise huh? I have a Holiday R and it rides rough. I'm trying to correct it short of tradeing it. I really like it but as the man said eairler I'm tired of having my fillings repaired. I have only had the unit about 5 months.
The worse ride is on OKLAHOMA concrete roads. Killer!
I have had the height raised 1 inch re monaco / navistar. Replaced the shocks (that helped a little.) However I used hydraulic truck shocks. Dumb I didn't check it out more throughly. I have learned more re: motor homes in the past 5 months than I ever wanted to know.

[resindiana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by resindiana Mr Wizzard You may be just the majic man I need to talk to. I have this problem. Big surprise huh? I have a Holiday R and it rides rough. I'm trying to correct it short of tradeing it. I really like it but as the man said eairler I'm tired of having my fillings repaired. I have only had the unit about 5 months. The worse ride is on OKLAHOMA concrete roads. Killer! I have had the height raised 1 inch re monaco / navistar. Replaced the shocks (that helped a little.) However I used hydraulic truck shocks. Dumb I didn't check it out more throughly. I have learned more re: motor homes in the past 5 months than I ever wanted to know.

Finall my question.
I'm reading and wondering if I should try the Koni shock before I trade.
Do you think that might help my my situation. Maybe I just don't know about how other motorhomes ride. Need input.
indy