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Jester47 · 01-29-2023, 12:38 PM

So we have decided to stick with diesels. Looking at a Ventana that is 12'6" tall. Our RV garage is 12' tall. Can we dump the air out of the suspension enough to drive it in and still have brakes?

Warhorse6 · 01-29-2023, 12:50 PM

I suspect if you dump the air out of the suspension you won’t have enough air pressure to release the brakes. Additionally don’t think dropping your suspension will get you 6 inches. So my answer is No.

Dennis C. · 01-29-2023, 01:07 PM

I tend to agree. My Ventana is 12’10” at ride height, and it drops about 3” or so when it is aired down. Additionally, my Ventana doesn’t have an air dump switch. When you start the engine it automatically airs up to ride height. Maybe the one you’re considering is different.

alank · 01-29-2023, 01:07 PM

I agree, air suspension won't get you a 6" drop.

PeteDr · 01-29-2023, 09:04 PM

What is on the coach roof controlling the height? Can you just install a larger
height garage door? Also, what is the garage floor material? Consider cutting and lowering the center section of the floor the width of your tires? If the garage is a standalone building, consider detaching the structure from the foundation and raising it 8 Inches. I have watched a lot of local houses get raised recently. Not that big of a deal, depending on utilities connected. Years ago I had a neighbor that cut a foot of the top garage door framing and hinged it out to raise the height of the opening to get his boat in/out. Looked good.

mahdi · 01-29-2023, 10:26 PM

Also you would not be able to get out once your are in there. It has to air up so that the parking break releases.

Stuart W · 01-29-2023, 10:39 PM

Correct me if I’m wrong, Isn’t the braking system separate from the suspension? On a Dutch Star tag, the tag airbags dump while backing without effecting braking.
As far as dumping and driving, I would think that this could put undue stress on driveline and I agree that dropping 6” isn’t going to happen.

USMCRET · 01-30-2023, 05:13 AM

A couple of points:

A. Your coach may or may not be 12’6”. According to the literature, my coach is 13’1”, except it isn’t. It’s actually 12’8” because I did not option in the Winegard in-motion sat. You’ll need to measure the height of your coach to be certain.

B. The air suspension and brakes are two different systems. On mine, if I shut the coach down and manually dump the suspension, it will not begin to air it back up until I release the parking brake. This is how I get it into my RV port. I drive to the entrance, shut it off, dump air, then restart and move forward. I’m into the port before the air bags reinflate.

I agree with the others about the amount the height is reduced when the air is dumped. It’s only 3 inches or so which was a bit of a surprise.

TXiceman · 01-30-2023, 06:27 AM

You need to physically measure the height of your coach as I see the brochures are seldom accurate.

Ken

spuds · 01-30-2023, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCRET

A couple of points:

A. Your coach may or may not be 12’6”. According to the literature, my coach is 13’1”, except it isn’t. It’s actually 12’8” because I did not option in the Winegard in-motion sat. You’ll need to measure the height of your coach to be certain.

And ditto the entrance to the RV garage. The clear height for a 12' door may be less than 12', allowing for apron, lip to garage floor, etc. (and overhead opener if there is one).

We have a 14' door and 13'8" clear with a side-mounted opener.

Dutch Star Don · 01-30-2023, 11:13 AM

I would park on flat level ground and while fully aired up, activate the jacks to Auto Level. Before the jacks actually start to operate (after the coach dumps) turn everything off. At this time, I would then get a GOOD measurement of the height. Not just for the garage but for your own knowledge, both aired up and aired down. I've never measured mine, but I believe mine drops almost 6" when I dump.

If the coach is low enough for the garage, see if you can drive it both FORWARD and in reverse for a short distance before it tries to air up. I say drive it FORWARD to make sure it doesn't automatically try to lift to ride height.

*****NEVER turn the steering while doing this, as you may tear up the fenders. You also want to keep the movement to just getting in and out of the garage as the driveshaft angle will be wrong.

Rev. Roy · 01-30-2023, 12:09 PM

The maximum drop for dumping the air is 4 inches but that is the absolute max. They use to say it was 3" up and 4" down but that isn't published or used anymore. You can check how much it drops yourself by measuring the height of the body before and after dumping air. Have you measured the actual height of the door opening? I have seen a 12' door that only had 11'10" opening. It does depend upon who built the opening and the type of door.

Dav L · 01-31-2023, 07:06 AM

Seem to remember there is a company that makes a valve system to drop the air bags independent of brake air pressure...used to advertise on this forum...Starts with an "S"..."Specialty", "Specialized"...., or something like that...

ThunderRidge · 02-01-2023, 06:27 AM

IMHO, nothing good is going to come from trying to make your plan happen. New garage door with a true 14’ door, remodel garage, build another garage, park outside, or find appropriate alternative storage location.