Leveling Question

[fluffyms]

This relates to a 1998 HR Imperial 38 WDS -

Can anyone advise as to whether it's best to level the coach with the slide extended or retracted.

I've heard & read both sides of this an am totally confused.

Thanks

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by fluffyms

This relates to a 1998 HR Imperial 38 WDS -
Can anyone advise as to whether it's best to level the coach with the slide extended or retracted.
I've heard & read both sides of this and, I'm totally confused.
Thanks

I don't blame you , every manufacturer , puts out a different sequence, and it can vary from one year to the next, and can depend on , the leveling system.
The procedure that would be correct for your year, make and model , should be in your owners manual , if that manual has been lost then , rounding up a copy would be the first step.

[Podivin]

I agree with Skip, the only SURE way to know is to find the manual for your specific coach, or to find someone who has one exactly like.
As noted, it can change from year to year, so what worked in '97 or '99 may not apply to yours.

[Bob&AnnaMari]

And I can attest to the fact that you can damage things when you follow general advice versus what the manufacturer recommends. Don't follow in my shoes and do find out what the manual for your coach recommends.

[Steve Kiemele]

Originally Posted by fluffyms

This relates to a 1998 HR Imperial 38 WDS -

Can anyone advise as to whether it's best to level the coach with the slide extended or retracted.

I've heard & read both sides of this an am totally confused.

Thanks

If you have hydraulic jacks, extend the slides and then level. If you have air leveling, you may level and then extend slides.

[ralphie]

Absent specific mfgr. instructions to the contrary, it logical to first level then slide. The rationale being slides are more prone to binding if the surrounding frame(s) are not exactly square or plumb, which is more possible when the unit is only on its springs.

[Steve Kiemele]

Originally Posted by ralphie

Absent specific mfgr. instructions to the contrary, it logical to first level then slide. The rationale being slides are more prone to binding if the surrounding frame(s) are not exactly square or plumb, which is more possible when the unit is only on its springs.

Agree that manual is best source of info. Monacos were built on their suspensions, not on leveler jacks. The jacks are located differently on the frame than the axles and are more likely to twist the body, turning the slide openings into parallelograms.

[Bob&AnnaMari]

Originally Posted by ralphie

Absent specific mfgr. instructions to the contrary, it logical to first level then slide. The rationale being slides are more prone to binding if the surrounding frame(s) are not exactly square or plumb, which is more possible when the unit is only on its springs.

I have to agree with you in principal, but you could not be more wrong when it comes to Beaver coaches.

The house on my coach is most "square" when it is on the suspension versus when it is leveled. My front room slide fits squarely in the hole when on my suspension. But, it can get torqued in the frame when I level.

I had to learn this the hard way by tearing out some of the rubber seal material around the slide-out. I was very fortunate that I did not damage the slide-out locking device when I retracted my slides in the "level" position. The grinding sound I heard while bringing in the slide was a clear warning that I should not do that again. When I was replacing the rubber with the slides out and the coach leveled I could see how badly the match with the slide-out and the frame opening really was in the "leveled" position.

For my coach, it is imperative to put the slides out and in while on my suspension. I only level after the slides are out and get back to ride height before I bring them back in. I found those instructions in my manual after I damaged my seals. (When I was coach shopping, I saw a unit just like mine with the tall mirror behind the front room slide ripped off the wall. I suspect that owner had brought his slide in while "leveled".)

This is why I believe it is best to follow the manual.

[MSHappyCampers]

I'm not sure if it applies to all Monaco MH's, but for ours they recommend extending the slides while still in the "Travel" mode, then leveling! I recommend that you call Monaco tech support with the question.

[MTK46]

I brought this question up also awhile back. As this is our first MH it's different than any 5th wheel I had. Our manual says to extend slides & then level. Our leveling system is air only. With the 4 other 5th wheels I have had in the past I leveled first & then extended the slides.

[fluffyms]

Thanks to everyone for the reply to my leveling question.

I do have an owners manual and finally, finally found the answer to my question in the manual regarding leveling my coach. I guess I should have looked harder before posting this, what now seems like a question with an obvious answer.

Thanks again.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by fluffyms

Thanks to everyone for the reply to my leveling question.

I do have an owners manual and finally, finally found the answer to my question in the manual regarding leveling my coach. I guess I should have looked harder before posting this, what now seems like a question with an obvious answer.

Thanks again.

What did it say?

[RDGreenlief]

Originally Posted by Steve Kiemele

If you have hydraulic jacks, extend the slides and then level. If you have air leveling, you may level and then extend slides.

I disagree. The manual for mine, with air leveling, says to extend slides at ride height and then level. Get your manual before taking general advice.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by RDGreenlief

I disagree. The manual for mine, with air leveling, says to extend slides at ride height and then level. Get your manual before taking general advice.

X2!