When to put slides out, before or after the level jacks are down.

[bertnicely]

I have a 2018 Newmar Ventana 4037, 3 slides. One piece of information says to put the slides out then put the jacks down to level, the other says put the jacks down to level and then the slides out. When retracting, one piece of information says put the slides in, than pull the jacks in. The other says pull the jacks in, then, the slides. This Newmar has the super full coach length slide on drivers side.

[pasdad1]

The revised information for all full wall slide equipped Newmars is :


Check the gaps between the slide out and coach.... gap should be even without the two touching.

If gap spacing is good
extend slides first while air bags are still inflated. Level with jacks afterwards.

To retract slides, do the reverse, retract jacks first, then air up the suspension, then retract slides.

If the gap spacing is too tight, where the slide might rub on the wall as it moves, try dumping air and using jacks to even the gap.

Usually 95% of the time or more it’s best to only move the slides when on air suspension. This is the condition where the frame is usually the most square. Jacks can twist the frame, and this is what you don’t want.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

I think you'll find that most manufacturers recommend extending the slides before leveling, but you should get the specific instructions on your MH.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[RKins]

Originally Posted by bertnicely

I have a 2018 Newmar Ventana 4037, 3 slides. One piece of information says to put the slides out then put the jacks down to level, the other says put the jacks down to level and then the slides out. When retracting, one piece of information says put the slides in, than pull the jacks in. The other says pull the jacks in, then, the slides. This Newmar has the super full coach length slide on drivers side.

Where are you getting the differing info? The Owners Guide? If so, I would call the Ventana rep at Newmar and get the facts - have them send you something in writing. I think there is a sticker on the drivers window that has the # to the rep.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

The revised information for all full wall slide equipped Newmars is :


Check the gaps between the slide out and coach.... gap should be even without the two touching.

If gap spacing is good
extend slides first while air bags are still inflated. Level with jacks afterwards.

To retract slides, do the reverse, retract jacks first, then air up the suspension, then retract slides.

If the gap spacing is too tight, where the slide might rub on the wall as it moves, try dumping air and using jacks to even the gap.

Usually 95% of the time or more it’s best to only move the slides when on air suspension. This is the condition where the frame is usually the most square. Jacks can twist the frame, and this is what you don’t want.

According to HWH their jacks cannot induce frame twisting. If you have proof otherwise please provide a link.

[Vsgray4]

I thought if on air Jack's have to travel too far?

[shootist]

Level first. You don't want the openings in a twist.

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

The revised information for all full wall slide equipped Newmars is :


Check the gaps between the slide out and coach.... gap should be even without the two touching.

If gap spacing is good
extend slides first while air bags are still inflated. Level with jacks afterwards.

To retract slides, do the reverse, retract jacks first, then air up the suspension, then retract slides.

If the gap spacing is too tight, where the slide might rub on the wall as it moves, try dumping air and using jacks to even the gap.

Usually 95% of the time or more it’s best to only move the slides when on air suspension. This is the condition where the frame is usually the most square. Jacks can twist the frame, and this is what you don’t want.

This is the correct answer for a Newmar motor home....disregard any other answers or opinions on leveling.

[wildtoad]

The quote below is accurate. Newmar stated in writing (especially if you have a FWS) to check the gap before operating the slides. It matters not if you level first or second, but in either case it is on you to check the gaps. Newmar also stated that most of the time you will find the gap is best before leveling.

My input is do this even if you don’t have FWS as you have nothing to lose by checking. In my little BSS I’ve had gap issues on my FWS and from time to time my kitchen slide.

The process works for both gas and diesels from Newmar. (a gap is a gap)

Originally Posted by pasdad1

The revised information for all full wall slide equipped Newmars is :


Check the gaps between the slide out and coach.... gap should be even without the two touching.

If gap spacing is good
extend slides first while air bags are still inflated. Level with jacks afterwards.

To retract slides, do the reverse, retract jacks first, then air up the suspension, then retract slides.

If the gap spacing is too tight, where the slide might rub on the wall as it moves, try dumping air and using jacks to even the gap.

Usually 95% of the time or more it’s best to only move the slides when on air suspension. This is the condition where the frame is usually the most square. Jacks can twist the frame, and this is what you don’t want.

[Vagabond51]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

The quote below is accurate. Newmar stated in writing (especially if you have a FWS) to check the gap before operating the slides. It matters not if you level first or second, but in either case it is on you to check the gaps. Newmar also stated that most of the time you will find the gap is best before leveling.

My input is do this even if you don’t have FWS as you have nothing to lose by checking. In my little BSS I’ve had gap issues on my FWS and from time to time my kitchen slide.

The process works for both gas and diesels from Newmar. (a gap is a gap)

Sorry for my ignorance, what is an “FWS”?

Thanks!

[bobmar]

FWS is a “Full Wall Slide”. A slide out, typically on the drivers side, that extends from behind the driver almost the entire length of the coach.

[FloridaSon]

Back in Feb I asked Newmar this question. They mention FWS in the email below.

I check the slide/slide frame gaps for equal before, it’s just a good idea.


From: Customer Coach Support <customerservice@newmarcorp.com>
Date: February 8, 2022 at 8:46:14 AM EST
To:
Subject: Slideout operation [ ref:_00D1N2c34i._5003l1KMV63:ref ]

 Good morning,

Sorry for the confusion, this is a question we get a lot, and it’s really very simple: The only time you need to worry about the sequence, is if you have a full wall slide. Since you don’t have a full wall slide in the 3412, it doesn’t matter if you level first, or bring the slides out. For years our stance was level first, then bring slides out, not that it really mattered, but mainly to give one direction for all coach owners. Since we started using the full wall slides in 2010, we had to change our stance due to some of the full wall slides getting paint scratches from rubbing on the opening when leveling first. Now, we just tell everyone to bring the slides out first, then level, and reverse the process when leaving.


If you have any other questions please contact customer service at 800-731-8300.

Margie Meza
Kountry Star Brand Specialist
1-800-731-8300

[NCC-1701A]

"The only time you need to worry about the sequence, is if you have a full wall slide."

Maybe so with the star frame...not so on my Freightliner not so structurally built.

I do not have a FWS and believe me, the sequence still matters! I never worried about it until I got our current 2013 MA 4336. We have 4 slides and the front ones are still pretty long. The flat floor one is the most finicky about how the coach is sitting. If I found "no need to worry about the sequence" I'd have paint scraped off the edges. I always check the gaps for clearance and decide if I put the slides out first or last.

I know HWH may think that a bi-jack deployment setup cannot "twist" the frame...and "twist" might not be the right word...but it can alter things enough to jam a slide into the edge of the opening. The only reference I can quote to that is my own eyes with this current coach.

[FloridaSon]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701A

"The only time you need to worry about the sequence, is if you have a full wall slide."

Maybe so with the star frame...not so on my Freightliner not so structurally built.

I do not have a FWS and believe me, the sequence still matters! I never worried about it until I got our current 2013 MA 4336. We have 4 slides and the front ones are still pretty long. The flat floor one is the most finicky about how the coach is sitting. If I found "no need to worry about the sequence" I'd have paint scraped off the edges. I always check the gaps for clearance and decide if I put the slides out first or last.

I know HWH may think that a bi-jack deployment setup cannot "twist" the frame...and "twist" might not be the right word...but it can alter things enough to jam a slide into the edge of the opening. The only reference I can quote to that is my own eyes with this current coach.

You are right that advice is specific to my Freightliner since the change. Your concern is what my gut told me and why I asked them. So what is your procedure? Seems like if you slide on bags or slide on jacks it could be bad?.