Community Forums

Ehoff81 · 10-17-2022, 06:33 AM

Currently we have a class a gas but we are looking at going to a larger diesel pusher as our girls are getting bigger a we need more space. We have a few models we are looking at but the one we like the most in the Fleetwood Discovery LXE 44B.
The height is listed at 12' 10". Problem is the clearance I have on our shop at home in the bay we store it in is 12' 5"... So these are my questions:
1. If I dump the air will if fit?
2. Can I back up safely with the air dumped?

bentjm · 10-17-2022, 06:45 AM

1. You may not get a 5 in difference by dumping the air.
2. As soon as you start it, it will air back up. You may be able to keep dumping air as you back up.

One small mistake and you are looking at a big problem.

Domo · 10-17-2022, 07:42 AM

What is the tallest item on the roof? If it's satellite you could consider removing it (as we did) and rely on the campground's WIFI or use a phone hotspot to stream (as we do with T-mobile and DW's ATT).

We have no OEM media in our rig - just a single TV, our OTA antenna and a mac mini as an HTPC with wireless keyboard and mouse. TV then acts like our computer monitor and we can access all our subscribe services unless we're in the boondocks in which case we simply watch shows that we've downloaded. We don't miss a thing - especially the commercials.

Ehoff81 · 10-17-2022, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domo

What is the tallest item on the roof? If it's satellite you could consider removing it (as we did) and rely on the campground's WIFI or use a phone hotspot to stream (as we do with T-mobile and DW's ATT).

We have no OEM media in our rig - just a single TV, our OTA antenna and a mac mini as an HTPC with wireless keyboard and mouse. TV then acts like our computer monitor and we can access all our subscribe services unless we're in the boondocks in which case we simply watch shows that we've downloaded. We don't miss a thing - especially the commercials.

Thanks! That's pretty much how we operate. Only time the TV comes on in our rig is late at night when we are settling in getting ready for bed.
I wonder though, if the AC units are just as high as the media on top?

**Lt Dan** · 10-17-2022, 09:41 AM

Generally the height spec on most motorhomes is to the highest "hardscape" on top. However, I don't think you can get a 5" drop from the air suspension and as stated as soon as you put it in gear and start to move it will begin to rise.

Domo · 10-17-2022, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ehoff81

Thanks! That's pretty much how we operate. Only time the TV comes on in our rig is late at night when we are settling in getting ready for bed.
I wonder though, if the AC units are just as high as the media on top?

I know how to find out which is higher!

luvlabs · 10-17-2022, 10:44 AM

I think you have three choices:

1. Raise the door height (or roof)
2. Lower the floor and driveway
3. Don't buy the coach

D20 · 10-17-2022, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvlabs

I think you have three choices:

1. Raise the door height (or roof)
2. Lower the floor and driveway
3. Don't buy the coach

4. Park it outside.

Rob_M · 10-17-2022, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ehoff81

Currently we have a class a gas but we are looking at going to a larger diesel pusher as our girls are getting bigger a we need more space. We have a few models we are looking at but the one we like the most in the Fleetwood Discovery LXE 44B.

The height is listed at 12' 10". Problem is the clearance I have on our shop at home in the bay we store it in is 12' 5"... So these are my questions:

1. If I dump the air will if fit?

2. Can I back up safely with the air dumped?

1) Possibly not probably.

2) Possibly if on flat ground.

My A/C units are higher than my satellite.

My older Fleetwood American Coach has a toggle for suspension dump and can be moved while the suspension is aired down. BUT. I would not want to have to climb a hill (forward or backwards) with it aired down because the driveline is at a bad angle.

rssnape · 10-17-2022, 12:09 PM

Depending on the overhead door configuration you have, you likely have more that 12’10 clearance inside the shop and your limiting factor is the door opening. You can look at changing doors and the door opening. A standard overhead door has to have room for the 90 degree radius from vertical to horizontal above the top of the opening.

Side door
Overhead door that rolls on the outside
Double “barn” doors

DRM901 · 10-17-2022, 09:24 PM

I suspect the ACs are your limiting factor. If you go from say a coleman mach 15 to a mach 8, you would gain 7" - assuming something else isn't now the highest point.

Sent from my SM-G973U using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

Ehoff81 · 10-18-2022, 05:37 AM

Thanks for the replies! Unfortunately the garage door company said I'm out of room for a regular door. So it sounds like my only options are a roll up door or grinding dow the floor. I think I'll opt for the roll up door.

PanJH · 10-18-2022, 05:51 AM

You will get around +/- 4" when you dump.in general, you should not drive with it dumped due to possible damage to the drive train and possible interference with tires hitting body work.
What kind of doors do you have now ? You mentioned roll up... that will take up another foot or so. Have you looked into barn door type doors or airplane hanger style doors ?

MevetS · 10-18-2022, 06:18 AM

Our coach is advertised at a 12'9" height. Our Garage door was a 12'X12', which is all we needed in the past. The interior height the area was 14'. I had to modify the rafters on one side, after consultation with a structural engineer, to gain a clearance of 13'9" to accommodate a 13'3" high door. Raynor makes a door that height.

Works perfectly well with, or without, dumping the rear air. Of course, my driveway is not on any sort of uphill or downhill slope.