Community Forums

ftiernay · 01-02-2017, 05:49 PM

Very confused. The dealership that we bought our 2008 Dutch Star 4320 clearly communicated that you put the slides out first before leveling.
When I was registering with Newmar they said the opposite.
Level first, slides second. They said that our year of coach has the electric slide motors (the new ones have hydraulic) & that is the reason why.

Any comments & thanks .

BBelanger · 01-02-2017, 05:53 PM

It would be nice if you could speak with previous owner.

mercerc44 · 01-02-2017, 05:59 PM

We have been leveling first then slides out for 9 years. Don't think that changed in 08. Some of the more recent model years they have changed the procedure.

twogypsies · 01-02-2017, 06:02 PM

It might depend on the new type of motors used now but for our 2004 Newmar we always leveled first then the slides out. Never had a problem with our slides.

It seems that if you put the slides out and then leveled you'd be twisting the slides.

LJowdy · 01-02-2017, 06:03 PM

Here's another thread (many more) dealing with this subject:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/leve...de-321987.html

DWRichard · 01-02-2017, 06:03 PM

Most folks level first, extend slides next. Reverse the process when leaving.

There was some discussion on another thread about another manufacturer (Entegra maybe?) recommending the opposite for their full side wall slide model.

**TonyDi** · 01-02-2017, 08:44 PM

We level first then extend the slides. The reverse when leaving.

dons2346 · 01-02-2017, 08:50 PM

What does the owners manual say? Don't go by what someone else says about their coach. Some manufacturers have you put the slides out first then level. Others have you level first then slides out. Either read the manual or contact the manufacturer for the proper method. It could vary from model to model, year to year within the same manufacturer

SpaceNorman · 01-02-2017, 09:09 PM

DonS2346's response is definitely the correct way to go. Read your manual - follow the instructions contained therein. It's as simple as that.

wa8yxm · 01-03-2017, 08:28 AM

Manufacturers disagree on this, some say Slides then jacks, others jacks then slides.. My position follows.

Now if you are parked, as I am, on a site that makes a pool table look unlevel, (ok not QUITE that good) it don't much matter.

But I have only been on about 4 or 5 such sites... Some many times.

If your site is less than even, say one corner is a tad low, then your unit is a bit.. er.. Torqued (Twisted) and if it is bad enough a slide may jam.

Leveling, especially if you have a 3-point system or a 4-jack virtual 3 point system. Relieves the frame of all torsion stress (Will describe that virtual system) and thus the slides go in and out easily.

Virtual 3 point (4 jack) system

The front jacks on my Rig connect with a "T". they operate as one. If one goes up (other than by pump control) the other goes down like a teeter totter.. So though there are indeed 4 jacks, the front two (one on each side) operate as though they were a single jack in the center of the RV.

No torsion stress when on jacks. Torsion stress when on tires.

dennis45 · 01-03-2017, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ftiernay

Very confused. The dealership that we bought our 2008 Dutch Star 4320 clearly communicated that you put the slides out first before leveling.
When I was registering with Newmar they said the opposite.
Level first, slides second. They said that our year of coach has the electric slide motors (the new ones have hydraulic) & that is the reason why.

Any comments & thanks .

Definetly take your instruction from the folks that designed and built your coach. The dealer is giving you false information for whatever reason.

barnegatepic · 01-03-2017, 10:56 AM

Here is what I have in my manual for a 2017 VTDP

Park the coach on a reasonably level campsite.
Leave the coach at ride-height with air in the air bags (if equipped with air suspension) or on normal suspension (coaches without air suspension).
Plug the coach into shore power (if available).
For a full wall slideout, visually inspect the front vertical trim for adequate clearance. The spacing should look even from top to bottom. (See image for reference.)
Verify that the path of the slideout is unobstructed and free from any surrounding objects, both inside and outside of the coach.
Once the appropriate conditions are met, follow the operating instructions posted in your coach to extend the slideouts.
Deploy the leveling jacks.

Petesflhtk · 01-03-2017, 11:07 AM

Just a personal thought..
When the coach, probably any coach, was built it was built on a jig which is level, square and true. During the construction process the slides were installed. It only makes sense, to me, that one would try and replicate this situation when deploying the slides... So, level first and then deploy slides.. I think you will have less wear and less chance for binding and jamming..

Mr_D · 01-03-2017, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWRichard

Most folks level first, extend slides next. Reverse the process when leaving.

There was some discussion on another thread about another manufacturer (Entegra maybe?) recommending the opposite for their full side wall slide model.

Doesn't matter what "most folks" do, what matters is what the manufacturer of the RV says to do.
Both our DSDP's and now the CC say to level first, then extend slides, and be level when retracting slides.