Leveling Procedure Questions

[sdhexpert]

For what ever reason it seems we tend to pick sites that are not the most level/flat. We pull in - while on air - put out the slides. Then auto level the coach. What happens many times at the end of the auto leveling dance is one axle or tire is off the ground. So I manually drop the jacks as evenly as possible to get the tires back on the ground. This leaves the coach slightly un level. Dishwasher drawer either won't stay out - or stays out / interior doors don't behave as they should etc.

So what I was thinking is while the tire is off the ground .... lift the jack a little more and put a block/spacer under the tire (no more than 2" or so), and then drop the jack some to rest the tire on the block.

Although these are some beefy jacks, I had heard it is not a good idea to leave the tire hanging.

I haven't seen any one else do this. I have seen many other larger coaches with a tire in the air - just not a good look imo.

Any comments?

[USMCRET]

I don’t worry about it. I’ll be one of those you see with a tire or two in the air.

[Rob_M]

Level manually after dumping air instead of allowing auto level to go too high, which from what I’ve read here is often the case.

If I end up having a front tire off the ground, I put an extra step out and don’t worry about it.

[twinboat]

If you have air suspension, 43 ft should, the suspension dumps ALL of its air as the jacks lift the RV, even 1 inch.

That leaves almost all of the rigs weight on the jacks, except the tires and axles. There is no RV weight on them.

Insuring that they lay on the ground or on boards does nothing to keep your rig in in its place.

Lowering 1 corner to get the tire on the ground will twist the chassis.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Rob_M

Level manually after dumping air instead of allowing auto level to go too high, which from what I’ve read here is often the case.

If I end up having a front tire off the ground, I put an extra step out and don’t worry about it.

If you dump all of the air from the suspension on an uneven site, you risk twisting the chassis.

Getting the levelers down before the air is totally gone will prevent that.

[sdhexpert]

Originally Posted by twinboat

If you dump all of the air from the suspension on an uneven site, you risk twisting the chassis.

Getting the levelers down before the air is totally gone will prevent that.

Maybe I'll try manually extending the leveling jacks - just touching while still on air. Then tweaking the jacks to manually level and then not dump the air. That should keep the chassis twist to a minimum.

[Dutch Star Don]

We occasionally get a site where there is one corner that is low, and the wheel wants to lift off the ground. I don't like having either of the front wheels in the air. I'm not going to argue the reason why as its kind of like a Chevy vs Ford argument. It's still hundreds of pounds hanging on the air bag and shock.

When your jacks lift the coach, they lift in pairs and when they lift too much making their corrections, they aren't smart enough to lower those jacks, but instead compensate by lifting the others higher. This can happen a few times.

After having leveled 100's of times, I can often tell when the coach has done the above. I manually lower the offending jacks and then push AUTO LEVEL a second time. Often the coach will level on the second try. If I can't, I do as you proposed and add a block or one of my ramps under the offending jack.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by sdhexpert

So what I was thinking is while the tire is off the ground .... lift the jack a little more and put a block/spacer under the tire (no more than 2" or so), and then drop the jack some to rest the tire on the block.

I do this. Only had to do it a handful of times in 3 years though.

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

We occasionally get a site where there is one corner that is low, and the wheel wants to lift off the ground. I don't like having either of the front wheels in the air. I'm not going to argue the reason why as its kind of like a Chevy vs Ford argument. It's still hundreds of pounds hanging on the air bag and shock.

When your jacks lift the coach, they lift in pairs and when they lift too much making their corrections, they aren't smart enough to lower those jacks, but instead compensate by lifting the others higher. This can happen a few times.

After having leveled 100's of times, I can often tell when the coach has done the above. I manually lower the offending jacks and then push AUTO LEVEL a second time. Often the coach will level on the second try. If I can't, I do as you proposed and add a block or one of my ramps under the offending jack.

Meant to say tire.

[Stuart W]

In addition to suggestions already stated:
I always deploy my FWS while on air suspension as it rolls down the road
As far as uneven sites, I will get out and examine the site if it feel very uneven prior to deploying slides or lowering jacks, I have found that moving front to back and or side to side can make a big difference on some sites.

[shootist]

Why do you put out the slides while way out of level?

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by shootist

Why do you put out the slides while way out of level?

I can answer this, as on Newmar coaches with mechanical full wall slides, the recommended procedure is to deploy slides BEFORE jacks (as long as the gaps between slide and walls are even and not touching)

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

I can answer this, as on Newmar coaches with mechanical full wall slides, the recommended procedure is to deploy slides BEFORE jacks (as long as the gaps between slide and walls are even and not touching)

Correct 😎

[lakebuster]

Once we get situated on pad, while still on air we open the slides. I will close the door and bring in HWH steps.
The wife will watch the rear flap, then I dump air. Once air is dumped, if using HWH leveling I will tap auto level. This ensures we are leveling at the lowest point possible. Never had our front tires hanging on our LA.