Community Forums

rcarpe06 · 07-04-2016, 08:53 PM

Currently I have a Coachmen Cross Country 407FW, it has the LCI hydraulic leveling jacks. This used to happen with my last gasser MH also; when I press the 'retract all' button, the MH comes down fast. Sometimes it's very nerve wrecking the way it comes down harsh.

With my current MH, I have the option to go into manual mode and press and hold the 'retract all' button to bring up the jacks. I haven't tried this yet to see if it brings them up any slower or not.

Not sure if I am just being paranoid and letting the MH come down automatically although harsh at times is just fine, or if I should try manual retract.

Thanks for any opinions.

Dutch Star Don · 07-05-2016, 12:30 AM

"RC".....Here is a procedure that might help your situation AND save your back. When you arrive at a campground, connect your water, electric and sewer before you do anything else. Pull out any items, like chairs or tables that are located in bays that are under slides.

Once you've done the above, follow your coach's procedure for leveling and slide extending. When you're ready to depart, most coaches will have you bring in the slides, prior to retracting jacks. Retract your slides and then start the coach. Allow it to air up. When you feel the coach starting to lift (airbags inflating), push your jack retraction button. This will prevent that sudden drop because the jacks are already lifting off of the ground. Once done, disconnect your shore connections and you're ready to go.

The above procedure, connecting your power first and disconnecting it last will also provide additional power for slide operation, versus using just the batteries.

sdennislee · 07-05-2016, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

"RC".....Here is a procedure that might help your situation AND save your back. When you arrive at a campground, connect your water, electric and sewer before you do anything else. Pull out any items, like chairs or tables that are located in bays that are under slides.

Once you've done the above, follow your coach's procedure for leveling and slide extending. When you're ready to depart, most coaches will have you bring in the slides, prior to retracting jacks. Retract your slides and then start the coach. Allow it to air up. When you feel the coach starting to lift (airbags inflating), push your jack retraction button. This will prevent that sudden drop because the jacks are already lifting off of the ground. Once done, disconnect your shore connections and you're ready to go.

The above procedure, connecting your power first and disconnecting it last will also provide additional power for slide operation, versus using just the batteries.

X2, took me a few trips to catch on to airing the coach up before retracting the jacks. No more jostling me around when the jacks come up, as stated above once aired up the jacks are inches off the ground and therefore no longer supporting the weight of the coach.

sbleiweiss · 07-05-2016, 06:45 AM

Good suggestions if you have airbags. We have the same situation as you but no airbags. I find that manually retracting seems a little less harsh, but sometimes harsh too. I don't know any other solution.

G Schulz · 07-05-2016, 07:17 AM

Isn't the manual and auto mode only for extending the jacks? The only button I have is the retract all jacks and once that button is pressed they all retract automatically. I don't think there is a way of bringing it down slowly.

2009 Safari Cheetah 40'
350 HP Cat
2014 Ford Focus
Air Force One

bronk · 07-05-2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Schulz

Isn't the manual and auto mode only for extending the jacks? The only button I have is the retract all jacks and once that button is pressed they all retract automatically. I don't think there is a way of bringing it down slowly.

2009 Safari Cheetah 40'
350 HP Cat
2014 Ford Focus
Air Force One

I believe the poster meant that airing up would take the weight off the jacks, thus retracting without as much, or no, pressure.

Bronk

rcarpe06 · 07-05-2016, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I wasn't waiting long enough for the bags to air up.

I appreciate the help everyone!!

rcarpe06 · 07-09-2016, 12:52 PM

How long does it take to air up? I high idled for 10 minutes and it didn't raise the coach. Once I hit retract all then it finally started to air up. I want it to air up before I retract the jacks so the pressure is off the jacks. I have the LCI electronic system.

RSteele · 07-09-2016, 02:16 PM

If you dumped the air bags with the manual button or auto level it will not air up until you push the store button. My coach does not have a manual fill button on the leveling control. Just manual dump or store which inflates the air bags and retracts the jacks. Some coaches will inflate the air suspension if you push the brake button in. Not sure that is safe unless you sit there with your foot on the brakes or chock the wheels. I just push store and go for the ride doesn't seem to hurt anything. You can let the coach down with the manual buttons but it will still go pretty fast just won't be all 4 at once.

rcarpe06 · 07-14-2016, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

"RC".....Here is a procedure that might help your situation AND save your back. When you arrive at a campground, connect your water, electric and sewer before you do anything else. Pull out any items, like chairs or tables that are located in bays that are under slides.

Once you've done the above, follow your coach's procedure for leveling and slide extending. When you're ready to depart, most coaches will have you bring in the slides, prior to retracting jacks. Retract your slides and then start the coach. Allow it to air up. When you feel the coach starting to lift (airbags inflating), push your jack retraction button. This will prevent that sudden drop because the jacks are already lifting off of the ground. Once done, disconnect your shore connections and you're ready to go.

The above procedure, connecting your power first and disconnecting it last will also provide additional power for slide operation, versus using just the batteries.

I talked to Freightliner today and they said that on their chassis, the solenoid to fill the air bags won't open until the jacks are fully retracted. I guess I'll be hitting the retract button and going for the ride. That stinks.