HWH Active Air Installation on 2016 Entegra Anthem

[brianw8602]

After reading several other posts in reference to the after market installation of Active Air, manufactured by HWH Corporation in Moscow, IA, we decided to add it to our coach. Let me just say this . . . we took the quietest riding, best handling luxury coach on the market today, and made it better

This is a one week process done at their facility. You arrive on Monday, where you are immediately met by the guy who describes himself as "the wrench turner". You then go directly to a local scale facility then back to HWH where one of the engineers meets you. He then drives your coach onto the racks where it will stay for the next week. You are allowed to stay in the coach the entire time during the installation. There are bathrooms and showers available for your use. Excellent WiFi also. Thursday and Friday were the only days we were asked to have the slides in by 0800. Work typically stopped at 1700 and the doors are locked around 1800. They provide you with keys to the shop.

Before your coach comes to a complete stop, 3 engineers and the self described wrench turner (Josh) are immediately under the coach going to work.

I must say this was a very impressive operation, extremely professional. The entire system is practically custom made for your coach. I had the opportunity to talk with Paul Hanser, the owner and founder of HWH. He told me we are only the 2nd Anthem to have this installed. If this were done prior to having the coach body mounted to the chassis, he said this installation would be about an 8 hr job. A lot of moving parts are installed to include new airlines and wiring harnesses. There is even an additional airtank installed.

On the 5th day, it's time to take your coach out for a drive. First stop, back at the scales to verify weights. Along for the test drive were 2 of the engineers and Paul Hanser himself. You are encouraged to get up to freeway speeds (70 MPH), and to make an aggressive lane change, simulating a quick response to avoid a potential road hazard. I asked "how aggressive?" The response was, "we haven't rolled one yet!" With those words echoing in my ears, I made an aggressive lane change. All I can say is WOW! The coach body didn't seem to roll at all. Other than the speed involved and the quickness of the steering wheel movement, it was like a normal lane change. Very impressive

One of the features that I hope to use more than the stability we now have in making a rapid lane change, is the ability to raise the coach, front and/or rear, a full 5 inches. On our 2015 Anthem, we were constantly dragging the radiator going into and out of some driveways. This will eliminate 99% of those.

Another great feature is the ability to level the coach, like the Cornerstones, utilizing just the Active Air System instead of the hydraulic jacks. We spent the following week at the Amana Colonies at the ECOA rally (which was fantastic by the way) and the site we had was a little soft and muddy. No need to worry about our jacks sinking into the ground. The Active Air auto level function was quick and the coach was rock solid for our entire stay. After leveling using this method, the system goes into "Sleep Mode". What that means is that every half hour, it wakes up, assess your level, and if necessary makes an adjustment. If it ever happened while we were in "Sleep Mode", we never noticed it.

Lastly, on our way back south, we encountered some pretty stiff crosswinds along our route. I pointed out the flags which were flying straight out, well in excess of 20 knots, and let go of the wheel. We never varied an inch. There was one occasion of a sudden gust of wind we encountered that did momentarily shove the coach to the left. This was certainly the exception to our otherwise very comfortable ride.

One final note, I believe this is the same system that is used on ForeTravel.

Brian

[HarleyOutlaw]

Sounds like an impressive system.

[Saltydog44]

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

Sounds like an impressive system.

I think you'll have one on your Cornerstone.....

I kill myself !!

[HarleyOutlaw]

Originally Posted by Saltydog44

I think you'll have one on your Cornerstone.....

I kill myself !!

[DebbieMH]

Thanks, Brian! I'm excited for you!

[Cruzer]

It is the same system as on the Foretravel IH45. And I've experienced one of the "abrupt lane changes". It is a nice system and a great upgrade to the Anthem, bringing it closer into Cornerstone territory.

[rorr1821]

Originally Posted by brianw8602

After reading several other posts in reference to the after market installation of Active Air, manufactured by HWH Corporation in Moscow, IA, we decided to add it to our coach. Let me just say this . . . we took the quietest riding, best handling luxury coach on the market today, and made it better

This is a one week process done at their facility. You arrive on Monday, where you are immediately met by the guy who describes himself as "the wrench turner". You then go directly to a local scale facility then back to HWH where one of the engineers meets you. He then drives your coach onto the racks where it will stay for the next week. You are allowed to stay in the coach the entire time during the installation. There are bathrooms and showers available for your use. Excellent WiFi also. Thursday and Friday were the only days we were asked to have the slides in by 0800. Work typically stopped at 1700 and the doors are locked around 1800. They provide you with keys to the shop.

Before your coach comes to a complete stop, 3 engineers and the self described wrench turner (Josh) are immediately under the coach going to work.

I must say this was a very impressive operation, extremely professional. The entire system is practically custom made for your coach. I had the opportunity to talk with Paul Hanser, the owner and founder of HWH. He told me we are only the 2nd Anthem to have this installed. If this were done prior to having the coach body mounted to the chassis, he said this installation would be about an 8 hr job. A lot of moving parts are installed to include new airlines and wiring harnesses. There is even an additional airtank installed.

On the 5th day, it's time to take your coach out for a drive. First stop, back at the scales to verify weights. Along for the test drive were 2 of the engineers and Paul Hanser himself. You are encouraged to get up to freeway speeds (70 MPH), and to make an aggressive lane change, simulating a quick response to avoid a potential road hazard. I asked "how aggressive?" The response was, "we haven't rolled one yet!" With those words echoing in my ears, I made an aggressive lane change. All I can say is WOW! The coach body didn't seem to roll at all. Other than the speed involved and the quickness of the steering wheel movement, it was like a normal lane change. Very impressive

One of the features that I hope to use more than the stability we now have in making a rapid lane change, is the ability to raise the coach, front and/or rear, a full 5 inches. On our 2015 Anthem, we were constantly dragging the radiator going into and out of some driveways. This will eliminate 99% of those.

Another great feature is the ability to level the coach, like the Cornerstones, utilizing just the Active Air System instead of the hydraulic jacks. We spent the following week at the Amana Colonies at the ECOA rally (which was fantastic by the way) and the site we had was a little soft and muddy. No need to worry about our jacks sinking into the ground. The Active Air auto level function was quick and the coach was rock solid for our entire stay. After leveling using this method, the system goes into "Sleep Mode". What that means is that every half hour, it wakes up, assess your level, and if necessary makes an adjustment. If it ever happened while we were in "Sleep Mode", we never noticed it.

Lastly, on our way back south, we encountered some pretty stiff crosswinds along our route. I pointed out the flags which were flying straight out, well in excess of 20 knots, and let go of the wheel. We never varied an inch. There was one occasion of a sudden gust of wind we encountered that did momentarily shove the coach to the left. This was certainly the exception to our otherwise very comfortable ride.

One final note, I believe this is the same system that is used on ForeTravel.

Brian

I am buying a 2017 Aspire which has a similar Spartan chassis with some
differences like fuel tank size, front shocks,and tire brand. I had HWH installed on a previous coach but not the active air version. I am considering this add on. Did you ask them if they had a single pad that could operate both the original jack system and the new air leveling system? Have you had any issues since your installation? Thanks.

[RobbieH]

Thank you for posting this. My coach has the Active Air system also. I found the receipts and procedure documentation from when the previous owner had this installed for a little over $9200. I did not know I had the ability to lift the coach when needed. I have noticed that it is very stable on uneven pavement and high winds, except for winds are very high and hitting me directly from the side. I also love the fact I can pull up to a spot and press "auto air" and walk away. The stability when camped is better on this coach than my past one was on jacks.

I'd love to hear more about this system, I wonder what else I'm missing other than the ability to lift the RV when the going gets rough.

They were able to mount the control directly into my left-side console.

EDIT: Correct picture posted this time

[brianw8602]

Originally Posted by rorr1821

Did you ask them if they had a single pad that could operate both the original jack system and the new air leveling system? Have you had any issues since your installation? Thanks.

Sorry, I didn't think about asking if they have a single pad function. We have had no issues with the Active Air System. It is quite easy to use it in conjunction with the Equalizer Leveling system when we choose to use the hydraulic system to level the coach when parking. The Active Air Leveling system is so easy to use, we rarely use the Equalizer System unless we are parking long term.

Originally Posted by RobbieH

Thank you for posting this. My coach has the Active Air system also. I did not know I had the ability to lift the coach when needed. I have noticed that it is very stable on uneven pavement and high winds, except for winds are very high and hitting me directly from the side.

They were able to mount the control directly into my left-side console.

You probably have the ability to lower the coach as well. The only time I could imagine doing this would be for possibly clearing a low hanging branch or something of this nature. Our experience in crosswinds has been excellent. With the exception of an occasional sudden strong gust of wind, we hardly notice there is a crosswind. Usually the first indication is seeing a flag standing straight out.

Our rocker panel has 5 rows. There is plenty of room below these, however the control panel would not be very accessible/visible. That's a nice setup you have.

If you don't have the operator's manual, check HWH's website. They have them on-line.

Hope this helps, Brian

[Bslagh]

Here is my panel on my TS select. (Not the best pic). You can only go to a one panel setup if you have HWH jacks as well. The equalizer jacks works fine with the active air system. Just dump the air and use as normal.

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by brianw8602

You probably have the ability to lower the coach as well.

That reminds me. That is another thing we really like about this system vs. jacks. With jacks, you are ride height or higher when camped. But this system lowers the coach to level. Sure makes it a lot easier to get in and out of the coach.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by RobbieH

That reminds me. That is another thing we really like about this system vs. jacks. With jacks, you are ride height or higher when camped. But this system lowers the coach to level. Sure makes it a lot easier to get in and out of the coach.

The Entegras dump the air bags automatically before the jacks go down. The front step on level ground is only about 4 inches to the first step. A nice feature for sure.