Air Bags and Levelers...???

[fansill]

Good Morning,

This morning we moved the RV to deploy the wash and wax later today. Hubby asked me to put the wood slabs down to rest the levelers on. I lined up the wooden slabs under the leveler feet. He then dumped the air. As he started putting down the levelers, I noticed that the blocks were then a few inches too far back.

Questions are...

1. Does the coach shift forward slightly when the air is dumped? (Brake was on)... Is this normal??

2. If the coach does normally shift forward, I would imagine that it is prudent to always dump air before letting levelers hit the ground to avoid a possbile "bending" of the levelers...Correct?

3. So is the best order...????
a. Turn off ignition - coach in park.
b. Put brake on.
c. Dump air.
d. Level coach.
e. Turn off levelers.
f. Turn ignition or generator on to deploy slides.

Thanks again for reading this and your sharing your opinions.

Faith

[fansill]

One more question...

When deploying the slides, do I actually start the engine or just turn ignition to auxiliary. Hubby thinks that would be sufficient, but I am not convinced and worry that if we do have to start the ignition, will the air bags fill up and possibly disrupt position of the jacks...

Thanks again.

Faith

[GaryKD]

Hi fansill,
Answers to your questions depend on the individual coach. This is how mine works.

1. Does the coach shift forward slightly when the air is dumped? (Brake was on)... Is this normal?? Yes and my jacks to not extend straight down. They extend a bit toward the outside of the coach.

2. If the coach does normally shift forward, I would imagine that it is prudent to always dump air before letting levelers hit the ground to avoid a possible "bending" of the levelers...Correct?Yes, it also allows the coach to be leveled with a minimum of the jack cylinder being extended.

3. So is the best order...????
a. Turn off ignition - coach in park.
b. Put brake on.
c. Dump air.
d. Level coach.
e. Turn off levelers.
f. Turn ignition or generator on to deploy slides.
That is a good and safe process. However, one should always follow the manufacturer's recommendation for leveling and extending slides. Gut feel says you do not need the engine or generator running to level and move slides. My coach does not need these running. However, I do not know your brand of coach.


Some coaches require the engine to be running to move the slides and some do not require it. Coaches requiring the engine to be running rarely have an air bag suspension. Coaches having an airbag suspension should not required the engine running to deploy jacks or move slides.

[Mike Canter]

If I turn the ignition key on or start the motor then I am locked out from moving the slides in or out. Maybe that some of the slide controls that have a key lock on them can be worked with the motor running so therefore the safety key so you can't let one out while driving down the road.

[DutchStar38]

Another suggestion: If you are in a CG with electric hookup then wait until you are plugged into electrical prior to opening slides. The slide motors put a heavy load on batteries. Actually, I don't even level until I plug in or have the genny running.