Ride height setting?

[steve11669]

What determines the proper height setting for the ride height adjustment?

I think a setting which makes the body to tire gaps equal for both axles makes sense.

[windsorbill]

Originally Posted by steve11669

What determines the proper height setting for the ride height adjustment?

I think a setting which makes the body to tire gaps equal for both axles makes sense.

It's determined by the chassis mfg. They want the drive shaft angle in relationship to the transmission to be within spec. If it's out of spec, the angle will cause excessive force on the drive link joints. If it's set correctly, the tire/body gap should be the same on each axle, but don't set your ride height based on the gap you want.

[chunker]

It's a bit more specific than that. For each chassis there will be a location, usually at the shock absorber, to measure the ride height. Actual location and height will vary. The adjustments are made with the ride height valve IAW the chassis manufacturers specifications. Mine has 3 adjustments. The front sets the front ride height. The rear 2 set rear ride height and left/right height.

[TR4]

See if this helps,

https://xa.yimg.com/df/Country-Coach...&type=download

Bill

[Crasher]

As mentioned, each manufacturer has specs for each configuration. The primary purpose might be to maintain the proper driveline angle, however, they can also be used to help balance the load. The specification has a range of acceptable adjustment. My coach was heavy on the front right and rear left when compared to the opposite sides. The settings were within specs. When the left rear was adjusted down only 3/8", the front was within 100# of each other and it was still within specs. The excess weight was transferred to the left front and right rear. I was told by Tiffin that I could adjust the ride height valves anywhere within their specs to improve the weight distribution. It's a simple way to get a good balance of a loaded coach. Mine has four valves, but others use only one valve in the rear for a total of three. I'm not sure how they would work.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The primary purpose might be to maintain the proper driveline angle, however, they can also be used to help balance the load.

The ride height control valves automatically compensate for imbalanced loads. That's the whole idea. If one corner of the chassis begins to get low, the ride height control valve on that side opens to let more air into the suspension to raise it up and keep the height constant.

[ahicks]

There's so many variables here, I don't know how you could make many generalized statements.

For starters, the are 4 valve systems, with a valve controlling each corner. Then there are 3 valve systems. The 3 valve system might have 2 in the front and 1 in back, or it might have 2 in the back and 1 in the front.

Measurements from the wheel well to tire are NEVER used. It's always (to my knowledge anyway) from a suspension component to a frame component. Even then, care must be taken to assure the coach is not parked over uneven ground.

If there's one general statement I'd make, it would be about the rear adjustment(s) being set to maintain drive line angle.

After that you get into a can of worms with all the other variables.

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

The ride height control valves automatically compensate for imbalanced loads. That's the whole idea. If one corner of the chassis begins to get low, the ride height control valve on that side opens to let more air into the suspension to raise it up and keep the height constant.

The ride height valves will keep the body of the coach at a set position regardless of the load put into the coach. That's what they do, but they will not compensate for imbalance. If they are not adjusted correctly, you could have a situation like I had. The coach appeared to be level front to rear and side to side. The front axle weighed 15,400# which was 200# under the max rating. However, the front right corner was at 8200# and the front left corner was 7200#. Not good since the tires were rated for 7860# each. After adjusting the left rear valve down 3/8", the FR was 7700# and the FL was about the same. The coach still appears level front to rear and side to side. Since then, I have adjusted the tag pressures so that the steer axle weighs 14,600 with each side being close to 7300#. I am one of many who have discovered this same issue and have corrected it with proper adjustment.

[dons2346]

PM sent

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by TR4

See if this helps,

https://xa.yimg.com/df/Country-Coach...&type=download

Bill

Bill, this linky no worky for me.

[TR4]

Originally Posted by dons2346

Bill, this linky no worky for me.

Don, try this one

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by TR4

Don, try this one

That is the same one I sent to Steve