Slide in or out when leveling ??

[fluffyms]

Relating my my '98 HR Imperial 38WDS with one slide on street side -

When leveling my coach ( HWH Automatic system ), should the slide be
in or out ? Seems to me I saw some thread on here before on this subject
but I can't seem to find it and would appreciate some expert thoughts on this subject.

I've checked the owners manuals, and unless I skipped over it, I can't find anything on the subject in there either.

Thanks -

[King Richard]

Originally Posted by fluffyms

Relating my my '98 HR Imperial 38WDS with one slide on street side -

When leveling my coach ( HWH Automatic system ), should the slide be
in or out ? Seems to me I saw some thread on here before on this subject
but I can't seem to find it and would appreciate some expert thoughts on this subject.

I've checked the owners manuals, and unless I skipped over it, I can't find anything on the subject in there either.

Thanks -

My read on procedure simply states the air bags to be full prior to extending slide, now be aware, the slides do not operate when the coach is running, I park, engine running, stabilize, set level which is automatic, shut down engine, make hook ups(no head bumping) extend slides.
If any settling occurs, I use manual adjust to fix it. Hope that helps

[JohnBoyToo]

It TOTALLY depends on what YOUR mfg says for YOUR system fro YOUR year of coach...

some are slide in, some are slide out, some are level first, some are level last...

so unless I have the same rv, same year, and slide and leveling system as you, I may be giving you bad info... (and we've proven that on other threads in here )
good luck

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by fluffyms

Relating my my '98 HR Imperial 38WDS with one slide on street side -

When leveling my coach ( HWH Automatic system ), should the slide be
in or out ? Seems to me I saw some thread on here before on this subject
but I can't seem to find it and would appreciate some expert thoughts on this subject.

I've checked the owners manuals, and unless I skipped over it, I can't find anything on the subject in there either.

Thanks -

Reality is the Coach only needs to not be under stress/flexed - your HR is 20 years old and has made it this far - if you just keep it from being in a bind you should be fine. Every Coach I have been in will operate both before and after the coach is leveled.

JMHO,

[SpaceNorman]

As others have stated - it's all about what the manual for your specific coach recommends. This is a popular question - and the vast majority of "experts" immediately try to tell you it's level first, then extend the slides. The manual for our 2012 Holiday Rambler Endeavor is pretty clear - extend the slides then level. We always for the recommendations outlined in the manual over that of the internet experts. YMMV.

[Dupdyke]

Originally Posted by King Richard

My read on procedure simply states the air bags to be full prior to extending slide, now be aware, the slides do not operate when the coach is running, I park, engine running, stabilize, set level which is automatic, shut down engine, make hook ups(no head bumping) extend slides.
If any settling occurs, I use manual adjust to fix it. Hope that helps

There is an easy fix for manacos to remove one yellow wire in rear run bay and then the slides will go in out with engine running and key on and keep batteries fully charged. The drivers side run bay rear power box has relay labled slide power control remove yellow wire test works great.

[distaff]

The manual for our coach is specific - slides out in drive mode, then level. The reason is that the coach can flex when levelled and cause the slides to rub and bind.

Having said that I have an S-series chassis with the steel super structure and I've done both and it doesn't really mater.

[1320Fastback]

Originally Posted by distaff

The manual for our coach is specific - slides out in drive mode, then level. The reason is that the coach can flex when levelled and cause the slides to rub and bind.

Having said that I have an S-series chassis with the steel super structure and I've done both and it doesn't really mater.

Not arguing but the carpenter in me has trouble wrapping that around my brain.

If the coach is leveled then the slide openings are also leveled and plumb. After leveling the slides would extend easily and properly.

If the coach has not yet been leveled the openings may be out of square and slide operation could result in binding assuming they are free to flex independently of each other.

[Topman]

I look at it this way. If the coach is parked in a basically level spot then it probably doesn't matter which you do first.
However if you are parked at an awkward angle then it might be prudent to level before extending the slides.
JMHO, Iver.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by fluffyms

Relating my my '98 HR Imperial 38WDS with one slide on street side -

When leveling my coach ( HWH Automatic system ), should the slide be
in or out ? Seems to me I saw some thread on here before on this subject
but I can't seem to find it and would appreciate some expert thoughts on this subject.

I've checked the owners manuals, and unless I skipped over it, I can't find anything on the subject in there either.

Thanks -

Monaco built the coach with the air bags inflated to ride height. Monaco's thinking when they insisted that the slides be extended before the coach was leveled was to insure that the frame was not flexed, thus possibly making the slide opening out of square. Your coach has the S-series chassis with the steel upper-structure and I doubt you have to worry about frame flex. For your coach my guess is you can operate the slide either way and not have a problem. Our coach has the RR8R chassis and the frame can easily flex when leveling the coach. We can tell this by observing the openings on the bay doors and the fact that the main door will operate with a bind when the coach is leveled on a site that has a poor grade. That said, we level before putting the slides out 95 % of the time and have been doing that for almost ten years without a problem. If we are camped in a site that is significantly off level we will put the slides out before leveling.

Bob

[veraken]

Have the same MH. Each manufacturer MH/year is different depending on how the coach is manufactured, so it is best to look at your owner's manual. If you look at page 3-22 of your owner's manual "Slide-Out Room" it tells you to level the motor home with the leveling jacks BEFORE extending the slide out. Conversely, retract the slide-out before retracting your jacks.

[MTK46]

I posted the same question with my new to us first time MH. Coming from 5th wheels & toyhauler first thing you did was level side to side then disconnect tow vehicle. Then level front to back & then extend the slides. Well after posting & relooking in the 400+ pages of my manual, extend the slides then level.
So after 15 years of RVing with a trailers that had slides I'm having to relearn.
Who says you can't teach an old dog a new trick.
Now if I could only remember to call it a Motorhome and not a Trailer.

[fluffyms]

Thanks Vera & Ken -
Found it ! Somehow I missed that. Maybe I was asleep when
looking for that info.

[JohnBoyToo]

Another factor to consider is if you have a 3 jack or 4 jack leveling system...

While we love out 2011, I can't see how the 3 jack system on it WON'T twist the frame !!!