Community Forums

clawsonbob · 04-13-2021, 03:07 PM

So, I’ve got a friend with a 60 foot long metal building he will allow me to store my coach in, but the entrance door is 12 foot 11”. Newmar Brochure lists my Dutch Star 4369, on the Freightliner chassis, as approximately 12 foot 10”.
Unfortunately, I’m 1200 miles from my coach and can’t get an exact measurement. Anyone know if there’s an easy way to lower the air suspension and still move the coach (50 feet) in and out of this building? Obviously, my goal is to create a little more margin for error.

Thanks

nutcker · 04-13-2021, 03:13 PM

I think you can move it while holding the Dump button on your levelers down, At least this works on mine,

Ricci · 04-13-2021, 03:37 PM

Hi Go slow as the bags will inflate if you go other than very slow. Also you will not be able to turn the steering without possibly damaging fiberglass. Good luck.

Tom

Bobby F · 04-13-2021, 03:47 PM

Always been curious how they measure that. Is it 12'10" to the roofline, or is it total clearance to the tops of AC units and antennas, etc.?

ArtJoyce · 04-13-2021, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby F

Always been curious how they measure that. Is it 12'10" to the roofline, or is it total clearance to the tops of AC units and antennas, etc.?

I think it has to include everything that came from the factory at the normal ride height. I'm sure they want to be safe with this number and most likly add a little.

If you hit a bright that is 12' 11" and knock off an AC unit into a van driven by a mom with 5 kids and she wrecks and there deaths. You know the RV manufacture is going to court if he listed 12' 11" as the height

RKins · 04-13-2021, 04:44 PM

The only way you'll have peace of mind is to measure it yourself. Mine is 11'6" - national guidelines have overpasses are at 14'6" minimum.

Rev. Roy · 04-14-2021, 11:17 AM

I'd also measure the actual door clearance. Garage doors generally come in increments of 2 ft. I.e. 10' 12' 14' etc but can be adapted. Barn style doors can be what ever you want. Having said that, you can line straight up in front of the door and dump the bags and lower the coach about 4" then drive straight ahead without touching the steering wheel. Turning could damage wheel well and such. The other alternative is to have someone one a ladder next to the door watching the roof and door as you slowly drive in. We have used both methods successfully.

bydnar · 04-14-2021, 02:54 PM

Qualifier: Mine is a Ventana LE with an Equalizer leveling system.

I have found out by mistake how to drive without air bags inflated. On mine, the Equalizer system automates the jack retraction. One of the last steps in it's internal process is to send a signal to allow re-inflation of the suspension air bags. So, by mistake, I turned off the system before it could finish and send that last signal for re-inflation. I was able to start the engine and drive with deflated bags. Not recommended, by the way.

Yours is most likely an HWH System? It may still have similar logic for the controller to the air bags. You could try shutting down the jack retraction before it finalizes to see if you can drive on flat bags.