Community Forums

Petek · 07-22-2016, 05:47 AM

OK folks, being new to owning a coach i have read and learned a lot on IRV2,the first hand knowledge from owners is invaluable information. However, on the topic of Leveling / Slide sequence procedure i'm at a loss.
I own a 2007 TS 45' Alante' on a K2 chassis. I have read the applicable threads on the TS owners forum as well as the Spartan forum. Seems there are different opinions on the topic.
What i am trying to understand is do I Deploy the jacks and level the coach first, then open up the 4 slides? Or do I open the slides first then deploy the jacks and level the coach. Form the threads i have read, seems owners of 45' TS's do it both ways, does anyone know the which way is correct?
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bandorr2000 · 07-22-2016, 06:22 AM

Our MH has labels stating make sure unit is level before deploying slides, so I always deploy levelers before extending slides.

2014 Thor Palazzo 35.1
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southernlady · 07-22-2016, 06:30 AM

Depends on how the manufacturer says to do it.

We level with jacks and then extend sides but that is what our manual says for us to do.

Dale F · 07-22-2016, 08:55 AM

On a TS level first then put slides out. When leaving pull slides in then retract jacks.

Bslagh · 07-22-2016, 09:20 AM

I've been told to always move slides on airbags at ride height. Then extend or retract jacks.

So to set up camp

Deploy slides on air bags
Dump air and level

To break camp

Start engine and wait for air to build all the way up. (Important)

Retract jacks and wait for coach to reach ride height.

Shut of engine

Retract slides

vsheetz · 07-22-2016, 09:27 AM

Do as the manufacturer recommends. Don't do as others do unless it aligns with your manufacturers recommendation.

RT 41 · 07-22-2016, 03:02 PM

TS factory adjusted all slides with chassis aired up , soooooooo when you stop deploy slides dump air then level, when leaving start motor air up retract jacks then pull in slides in this way you will not bind the slides

Busskipper · 07-23-2016, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petek

OK folks, being new to owning a coach i have read and learned a lot on IRV2,the first hand knowledge from owners is invaluable information. However, on the topic of Leveling / Slide sequence procedure i'm at a loss.
I own a 2007 TS 45' Alante' on a K2 chassis. I have read the applicable threads on the TS owners forum as well as the Spartan forum. Seems there are different opinions on the topic.
What i am trying to understand is do I Deploy the jacks and level the coach first, then open up the 4 slides? Or do I open the slides first then deploy the jacks and level the coach. Form the threads i have read, seems owners of 45' TS's do it both ways, does anyone know the which way is correct?
__________________

Both ways work.

Just read the manual from TS and this is not addressed - so it will need to be decided by the owner?

Level is the key to this operation, if a slide is in a bind it will not operate. This comes from doing this operation numerous time, when aired up unless you are on some extremely out of level location the slides will almost always operate freely, but we had a location once where we needed to level, first before the slide would all deploy.

So from experience we/I have concluded that the deploy first works and is the method we use, that said I know of many who will level first then deploy. Personal note here - the Equalizer system has been known to torque the unit out of level so the slide will not work and in some extreme cases has cracked the Granite and even caused the the shower to leak - so be sure the "NULL" is set correctly on the jacks.

Long- Short I prefer deployment while aired up - works for me.

BOL,

.

sailor_lou · 07-23-2016, 08:59 AM

I agree with Busskipper, "it depends." My manual does not contain any slide/leveling instructions and the limited research I have performed found that TS was not clear on this topic. Experience has shown that both methods work well provided the rig is close to being level. I usually level first because the only time I ever had a slide bind was once when I was on a site that had a pretty good slope towards the driver's side. In this case, I probably should have moved to another site, but at the time the rig was relatively new to me and I didn't consider the angle all that bad. In this instance, I stopped the slide, leveled the rig with the jacks and everything worked as expected.

The other thing I do when we auto-level (which we do 99.9% of the time) is to monitor the jack's operation from the outside to ensure no one jack extends too far. So far the system has worked well making small adjustment to opposing jacks, but if it ever fails stupid I want to be there to tell my wife to secure the leveling operation. Probably overkill on my part, but worth the effort IMO. Like most things in life, a common sense approach is usually your best answer. Good luck with your TS.

Old Steve · 07-23-2016, 07:09 PM

On my 45 foot K2 chassis I always put the slides out first before leveling because the chassis does flex and can bind the slides. I believe my owners manual also states to put out slides then level.
Steve

rag_ftw · 07-23-2016, 07:19 PM

I agree with Lou and Busskiper. I will throw this data-point into the equation. When I first got my TS I would level prior to running slides out. On two different occasions my kitchen slide made contact with the tile floor and stalled. A call to Entegra suggested I run slides in and out with bags still aired up. Here is the checklist they sent me:

Q u i c k S t a r t G u i d e
CAMP SETUP / TEAR DOWN
When setting up camp, please follow these steps:
1. Before plugging into shore power, turn off the breaker at the campsite post.
2. Extend the slide out rooms (always check for proper clearance first).
3. Make sure tires are straight. Extend jacks after slide out rooms are extended
(Auto Level).
When packing up and leaving camp, please follow these steps:
1. Start engine to build air pressure. (Use high idle—cruise on and hold resume.)
2. Retract jacks to inflate air bags. Check for tire clearance.
3. Retract slide outs after unit has reached standard ride height.
4. Lock all appliance doors.
5. Turn off breaker at campsite post before unplugging unit.

I have followed this checklist for the past 3 1/2 years and have had no problems with slides binding. I could find no TS instructions concerning this issue, which is why I went to the old TS guys who now work at Entegra.

Bottom line - do what works for you!

delcirose · 07-25-2016, 10:25 AM

So far this year I have travelled over 2900 miles in my 2004 TS. I have used the principal of deploying the slides off the air bags first then leveling reversing the sequence when retracting, fire up the engine build air pressure then retract the leveler's then retract the slides, no binding and no problems. Lou as usual brings up the warning to make sure that one leg or the other in the front does not decide to go wild and twist the windshield out of the opening, this has happened with some folks, so I do not think that being out and watching at that time and preparing to shut things down is a very good idea indeed. The other thing I will suggest is being careful to choose a suitable place to park, if the site is two slopped or to twisted side to side and front to back the motor home is so long that you will indeed twist the frame and cause all kinds of problems. The slides are strong enough that you can damage the outside skin of the motor home if it hangs up some Ts owners have stated that the skin/sidewalls in the bottom corner of the bedroom slide have been split necessitating a trip to precision paint. Enjoy your new to you motor home and as others have stated you have purchased one very well made motor home that if cared for will serve you very well.