Community Forums

Kekfoster · 03-12-2021, 10:57 AM

We are heading out for our first journey other than bringing her home. My husband drives her like a pro But says this trip it’s beating him to death. Very different drive and ride from bringing her home. What could it be. Airbags??

LWBAZ · 03-12-2021, 11:03 AM

What is the year, brand & model of your motorhome?

Gary.Jones · 03-12-2021, 11:19 AM

If the coach is not aired up properly, it can feel like a bucking bronco. I bought my first Anthem and drove to an RV park and was barely able to drive it and then realized the problem.

Have him stop and go through the process and make sure that the coach is up to ride height. He should be able to put his clenched fist between the front tire and the wheel well.

That is one possibility. Be sure to write back and give us feedback.

Gary

Prairie Dog · 03-12-2021, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kekfoster

We are heading out for our first journey other than bringing her home. My husband drives her like a pro But says this trip it’s beating him to death. Very different drive and ride from bringing her home. What could it be. Airbags??

Could you be more specific?

Kekfoster · 03-12-2021, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWBAZ

What is the year, brand & model of your motorhome?

2021 reatta xl

Kekfoster · 03-12-2021, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairie Dog

Could you be more specific?

I wish I could. I was thinking air bags. Because he was bouncing all over the place.

buddy110 · 03-12-2021, 12:37 PM

Check your shock mounts. An airbag ride should not be "bouncy"

wolfe10 · 03-12-2021, 12:42 PM

Start with the basics:

Is tire pressure based on actual wheel position (best) or actual axle weights?

If not, until done, set it according to the GVWR plaque near the driver's area.

If tires are, say overinflated by 15 PSI, it WILL ride harshly.

Next, if that is not the issue is to verify ride height. Your chassis maker can give you the specs. Particularly if too low, allowing bottoming out the suspension on little bumps.

Gary.Jones · 03-12-2021, 01:02 PM

Kekfoster

Have you read my post above.... have you tried what I suggested????????????????

Gary

Kekfoster · 03-12-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

If the coach is not aired up properly, it can feel like a bucking bronco. I bought my first Anthem and drove to an RV park and was barely able to drive it and then realized the problem.

Have him stop and go through the process and make sure that the coach is up to ride height. He should be able to put his clenched fist between the front tire and the wheel well.

That is one possibility. Be sure to write back and give us feedback.

Gary

Thank you. We will go check that and I will report back.

Kekfoster · 03-12-2021, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kekfoster

Thank you. We will go check that and I will report back.

Is there anywhere on the dash that will tell you air bag pressure?

Tim Fox · 03-12-2021, 02:05 PM

Agree that you are probably not at ride height. Momentarily deploy your jacks till MH lowers. Stop jacks and then retract. Outside, watch the distance between top of front tire and wheel well. MH should rise 3” +/-.

Gary.Jones · 03-12-2021, 03:01 PM

KEKFOSTER

I thought you were in the coach.

First have him go out and rough measure how far the wheel well of the front passenger wheel-well is above the tire. Just use his hand and measure the distance.

Then get the Cummins running and have it build up it’s own air pressure on the two gauges in the dash are until it’s tanks are generally near the pressure that they should be ( better than ~ 115 pounds). Then do what Tim suggests. Run the jacks down. He says midway. I’d run them all the way down and then bring them all back up. Cummins running all the time.

Now go outside and measure the distance of the wheel well above the tire. The coach should be higher than before. If not, do it again.

On my coach, but maybe not yours, an icon on the dash will lite that says “at ride height”. It stays on for a while and then extinguishes. I’m pretty sure he was not at ride height and that is his problem.

Gary

Mwoodofd · 03-12-2021, 05:10 PM

Engine may have to be off to deploy the jacks (mine does). Then do what the others have said. Start the engine, put it in fast idle by turning on the cruise control and hitting "Set" or "Resume" on the steering wheel (how mine operates). Let the air build up until the air dryer purges or spits, then hit retract all, and see if the air bags fill up.

The air dryer will spit purge or spit when full, and you should be at 115-125 psi on your air gauges, and hopefully at ride height.