HWH Ride Height

[W5WTX]

As I am de-winterizing my 2006 Dynasty it looks as if I have a new problem. When I set my HWH leveling system to Travel Mode the driver side is about 3-4 inches higher than the passenger side. This is new. Auto and manual leveling works fine. Adjustment of the ride height looks simple enough but quite frankly scares the stuff out of me to think about messing with height adjustment while under the coach.

Until I can figure out why the Travel Mode is out of level, is there any issue with driving in the Coach Leveling mode?

Doug

[Ray,IN]

HWH leveling systems have no connection to coach ride-height Ride-height is controlled by_, ride height control valves. HWH leveling systems are connected to the 12V air dump valves.

[Lowflyer1]

Yeah, it's a real funky design and easy to bump into wrong position or direction.
On yours sounds like the connecting rod link failed and you may need to replace that.

You can build ramps with 2x10s and/or put blocks under leveling jacks so it won't drop too far down if you bump the valves too much.

The parking surface has to be level for the adjustments to work. Or just take it to some bus or RV service to be adjusted.

[W5WTX]

Originally Posted by Lowflyer1

Yeah, it's a real funky design and easy to bump into wrong position or direction.
On yours sounds like the connecting rod link failed and you may need to replace that.

You can build ramps with 2x10s and/or put blocks under leveling jacks so it won't drop too far down if you bump the valves too much.

The parking surface has to be level for the adjustments to work. Or just take it to some bus or RV service to be adjusted.

Are you referring to the connecting rod on the ride height control valves?

If I blocked up as you suggested, assume I would need to block front and back to keep it level.

Doug

[Lowflyer1]

Yes, the connecting rod to the valve. Or the adjusting nut has come loose.
And yes, the coach should be on really level ground as the book suggests +/- 1/4" tolerance.

[azpete]

if you do not have air leveling on your coach, hwh has no control over ride height the exception is if you have hwh active air on your coach.
when our system is off, or the park brake is released, we have no control…
we do not regulate air pressure or volume of air going to or from the air bag.
the only control we have on coaches with air leveling systems, is that when the park brake system is off, the travel valves on the manifold for that axle are held open to allow air to pass thru. that happens only when the key is on.

[W5WTX]

I’ve done some more experimenting with my ride height. I now understand the air leveling and ride height control are related but separate dynamics. If I dump the air bags then engage Travel mode the coach raises but the driver side is high. The front of the coach seems worse than the rear by an inch or two. I have only a single ride height adjustment in the front whereas there are separate DS and PS adjustments in the back. I verified all three connecting rods are in place. So I’m scratching my head if I should start messing with the adjustments or if should be looking elsewhere.

[Lowflyer1]

Yes, one in the front and 2 in the back. Adjusting any one of them will impact the others, so it will most likely take more than one trial.
I understood from earlier that you have the Owner's Manual. If not, you can get that from this link:
https://www.monacocoach.com/service-...pairs/#manuals
The discussion/adjustment of Height Control Valves starts on p. 315.

[scaledquail]

Our 04 Sig is air level only. I find it interesting that only the left front seems to be involved. Ride height is controlled by 2 rods and valves, one front one rear. As I recall the recommended height was 9.5" from top plate to bottom plate of the airbags. The control arm and valve are centered behind the genset at the front axle. Individual bag control is attained from the HWH module located in bay 2 coach center. Adjusting each "zone" slightly and slowly.

Your condition suggests an air leak in the HWH control or a bad bag as only one side appears to be involved.

PS: the ride height valves on that age coach can be delicate as the plastic has gotten brittle so proceed with caution.

[Eric Koger]

I have experienced the exact same thing. The issue turned out to be a faulty “Travel” coil on the left rear HWH 6-pack. The Travel coils energize to open giving ride height control to the chassis ride height valves and are energized anytime the HWH control is in travel mode. In my situation, the left travel coil failed, not allowing the ride height valve to adjust the pressure in the left airbags, so the right side of the coach raised above the left side. I found there is a manual thumb screw (see photo) on each of the rear 6-packs that bypasses this solenoid in the event of a failure to allow the coach to level using the ride height adjustment valves attached to the axels. Once I identified the coil that was not energizing, I verified it was receiving voltage from the controller (which it was). I removed the coil and verified that it was faulty using an ohm meter (indicating an open circuit). Changing the coil is a straight forward process once you gain access to the 6-pack by removing a single nut at the top of the coil and no need to open the valve itself. Replacing the coil and closing the manual thumb screw bypass valve returned the coach to normal functioning. The replacement part was a HWH RAP1940 which includes both the coil and the air valve to screws into the 6-pack block. You likely only need the coil, if you can find it separate from the valve. I’ve attached a photo for reference. The travel coils are energized anytime the coach is in travel mode and tend to be the ones that go bad because they are energized all the time you are traveling. If you only replace the coil, you do not have to empty your air tanks. Simply loosen the retaining nut on top and slip on the new coil and connect. It is a bit of a wiring “rats nest” but once you clip the wire ties, it is a pretty easy job. But remember you have the manual bypasses that will allow your coach to level for traveling, but you will not be able to use your HwH controls for leveling at the campsite until you get the coil replaced and the bypass thumb screw closed.

As soon as you release your air parking brake, your HWH control will go into travel mode automatically. With your travel solenoid faulty, one side of the coach will begin to raise above the other and therefore you will not be able to travel in HWH auto level mode. Do not travel with a unlevel coach. Try bypassing the HWH travel solenoids (both sides) before messing with the coach ride height valves or rods. Likely there is nothing wrong with the chassis ride hight system, it is the HWH solenoid that isn’t allowing the chassis valve to work as designed.

[Donzidave]

I have just last week adjusted the ride height on my 05 Dynasty.
Purchased 6, 12’ 6x6s, cut them at 30° and pulled my coach onto them. It takes patience and adjustments to get them all correct, but the results are great!
Put the HWH in drive mode, depending on which side is high, go to the opposite side and using an 11mm wrench, loosen the nut, making micro adjustments, move the plastic valve up. This will lower the front of your coach.
Dump the bags and let it re-level. May have to do it several times until you dial it in.
It’s safe, and easy to access, I paid a “Coach expert” $1500 several years ago to do this, kicking myself now as it’s an owner adjustment!!

[W5WTX]

Originally Posted by Eric Koger

I have experienced the exact same thing. The issue turned out to be a faulty “Travel” coil on the left rear HWH 6-pack. The Travel coils energize to open giving ride height control to the chassis ride height valves and are energized anytime the HWH control is in travel mode. In my situation, the left travel coil failed, not allowing the ride height valve to adjust the pressure in the left airbags, so the right side of the coach raised above the left side. I found there is a manual thumb screw (see photo) on each of the rear 6-packs that bypasses this solenoid in the event of a failure to allow the coach to level using the ride height adjustment valves attached to the axels. Once I identified the coil that was not energizing, I verified it was receiving voltage from the controller (which it was). I removed the coil and verified that it was faulty using an ohm meter (indicating an open circuit). Changing the coil is a straight forward process once you gain access to the 6-pack by removing a single nut at the top of the coil and no need to open the valve itself. Replacing the coil and closing the manual thumb screw bypass valve returned the coach to normal functioning. The replacement part was a HWH RAP1940 which includes both the coil and the air valve to screws into the 6-pack block. You likely only need the coil, if you can find it separate from the valve. I’ve attached a photo for reference. The travel coils are energized anytime the coach is in travel mode and tend to be the ones that go bad because they are energized all the time you are traveling. If you only replace the coil, you do not have to empty your air tanks. Simply loosen the retaining nut on top and slip on the new coil and connect. It is a bit of a wiring “rats nest” but once you clip the wire ties, it is a pretty easy job. But remember you have the manual bypasses that will allow your coach to level for traveling, but you will not be able to use your HwH controls for leveling at the campsite until you get the coil replaced and the bypass thumb screw closed.

As soon as you release your air parking brake, your HWH control will go into travel mode automatically. With your travel solenoid faulty, one side of the coach will begin to raise above the other and therefore you will not be able to travel in HWH auto level mode. Do not travel with a unlevel coach. Try bypassing the HWH travel solenoids (both sides) before messing with the coach ride height valves or rods. Likely there is nothing wrong with the chassis ride hight system, it is the HWH solenoid that isn’t allowing the chassis valve to work as designed.

Eric,
Thanks for the info. What you suggest sounds like the path I should be looking down.

What year / model is your coach? I’ll try and get underneath today and do the continuity test on the Travel Coils. I’ll see if I can find part numbers while I’m there.

Did you buy your replacement directly from HWH or another source?

[Eric Koger]

Originally Posted by W5WTX

Eric,
Thanks for the info. What you suggest sounds like the path I should be looking down.

What year / model is your coach? I’ll try and get underneath today and do the continuity test on the Travel Coils. I’ll see if I can find part numbers while I’m there.

Did you buy your replacement directly from HWH or another source?

I have a Monaco Dynasty tag axel 2003. I suspect the systems would be very similar, if not identical for our coaches.

I can almost bet you will find your drivers side travel solenoid not working if your coach is leaning toward the passenger side.

You will need to get under the coach to access these 6-packs. They are just to the rear of the drive axel in the center tucked up high. All the six pack connectors are grouped together (mine were in a zip tied plastic bag, that needed replacing anyway)

If my memory serves, I believe the travel solenoids are at the top of the 6-pack block next to where you find the T-handle bypass valves on the 6-pack block.

I don’t know if you have ever been under your coach, but it can be a tight squeeze for a big guy. I have made a set of step ramps out of three 2”x12”s to make access easier. Or you can use your hydraulic leveling jacks to bump the coach rear up two or three inches and some cribbing under the rear frame for safety. Once you are past the tire and frame, you have a bit more room. Put the coach in travel mode, in park, with the parking brake engaged. Take metal screw driver and touch the top post of each solenoid (where the small nut is holding the coil to the air valve). The top two solenoids should be magnetic, indicating that the solenoid is energized and open. If the theory is correct, one of the (travel solenoids) will not be magnetized. Pull the wiring down and trace the faulty solenoid to its connector. There should be a printed tag on the wire indicating “travel”. Unplug the connector and test for voltage. If you are getting 12 volts then the coil is bad.

You should be able to search the HWH part number. HWH have them as well as other supply houses.

You can also check eBay, as I’ve seen them there as well. The coil is a Parker 9.5 watt, 12 volt, but you will have to soldered your connector to the coil leads.

It really isn’t that difficult once you’ve done it once, but the first time is always the toughest. I wish I were near to help, we could have it done and back in service in an hour.

Best of luck and let me know if you have questions or need more insight. Let me know what you find.

[Eric Koger]

W5W- I located some schematics of the HWH 600 series leveling system that might be helpful. There is a travel fuse in the main HWH controller which is located in one of your main basement compartments ceiling areas behind an access panel. This supplies power to all of your travel solenoids. I suspect no problem with this, else none of your travel solenoids would be operating. But you could verify this. In these photos you can locate where the specific solenoids are located within the 6-pack cluster and the bypass T valves I referenced.

Best of luck.