Community Forums

FlyingDiver · 08-30-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Now when parked.. You want the floor of the motor home to be both level and as movable as a concrete slab.

Hydraulic fluid can not be compressed. So as you move around the motor home it's not rocking and rolling.

So, if you leave the air bags inflated when parked (instead of using the jacks) you need a sign for your door.

"If the Rig's a-rockin', Don't come Knockin'"

Except that...

Lots of high end rigs with a bus-type chassis don't have hydraulic jack, only air leveling. And they don't move when you walk around them, at least in my experience. So it must be possible to do an air leveling system with minimal movement. I don't know how they do it.

redbaron73 · 08-30-2013, 10:40 AM

As stated, they both do the same function. I use air level in places where jacks would possibly sink in. Some grass lots, asphalt, or wet conditions on dirt.

The air will automatically re adjust every 30 minutes. The biggest adjustment is the first one as the air was much hotter on the first fill then it will be once everything has cooled down. Still during temp swings it will adjust, as air volume will change.

In my coach if the high point is either rear axle, then that will be resting on the frame and the other bags will inflate. Under that condition there is no bounce.

If the high point is the front, then the rear bags have air and you notice a bounce. With kids that bounce is noticeable, as well as the washer on spin cycle.

Also as stated, hydraulic give far more range, but that can be bad too...think wheels off ground!

I use them both.

It is not for in motion driving, that is a different function run by a different "system". But it does allow for ride height overrides, at least with active air.

smlranger · 08-30-2013, 07:15 PM

Our coach has air leveling only. I was hesitant about it at first since my previous DP had hydraulic jacks. What I have learned about the air leveling system:

1. it is easy to use and works quickly to level the coach
2. it has a separate 12V compressor that periodically runs to 're-level' the coach if there is a change over time.
3. I like not having to fool with jacks, jack pads for soft surfaces, and waiting for jacks to retract.
4. We don't feel any more bounce or movement when parked and level than we did with our previous coach except when the rear is low and the air suspension has raised the back of the coach a lot to get level.
5. The air leveling does have a leveling limit/capability that my jack system did not. If you park on a surface that is really sloped, you may not be able to get level. We recently were parked in a position where the rear was low and the air system had to raise the rear of the coach to the max to achieve front-to-back level. Due to the maxing out of the rear, there was not enough 'lift' left to achieve perfect side-to-side leveling. So, had a slight lean to one side but not enough to be uncomfortable.