I have learned that not all Foretravel owners rely entirely on the automatic leveling of the HWH system. I have talked with an owner who (on level ground) lets all the air out of the system and an owner who looks at the yellow lights and does a partial manual leveling and then switches to the automatic function of HWH.
So I am wondering if there is anything wrong with not going with a total automatic leveling and which technique do you prefer?
Hey George,
We put our system in automatic and then confirm level with a round bubble level on the kitchen countertop. Some times it's right on the money and if not I will tweak it manually.
We do the same.
We just push the button (twice) and let it do its thing. It only fails when we're too out of level in the first place which is rarely the case. I have a feel now for how much is too much.
George (the other)
It may or may not be justified but DW wants coach as low as possible after leveling so I dump first, turn it off with stop button then hit level twice and let it do it's thing, leave engine running for bigger compressor. If there is a problem, then I may manually level with up/down buttons, rarely happens. Always level with slides "in".
In six years of motorhomes, we have probably leveled ten times. We just park and go with it.
Matt B
We have bubble levels in the area of the driver seat that are calibrated well to the coach. I used to manually level the coach, switch to automatic, and turn off the engine. Lately, I have been manually leveling, turning off the engine, and then turning off the leveling system. Our coach normally will not move from level for weeks even if the bags are inflated and the leveling system is turned off.
The automatic system works well. However, the bubble levels are right in sight from the driver's position and I prefer to manually level the coach.
A couple of times I have awakened to drip, drip, drip, from the roof near the bedroom. If I drop the front of the coach slightly, the moisture will drip off the front and I sleep better. The adjustment is probably less than one inch to get moisture to drip off the front rather than the back.
Hit the auto-level button twice with the engine running, open a window, pop the slide out, turn off the engine and close the window, get out of the driver's chair, and open the door. Done.
I carry a couple of boards for the rare times the site is too off-level for the HWH system to handle. No real need for a bubble level, the HWH system is always close enough. The old rule of thumb is that if it is not too off-level to walk around in, it is close enough to level for the refrigerator.
Tom,
I don't have a slide, but do you wait for the coach to be level before you deploy the room slides? Same in reverse when retracting room slide?
I have three air valves by the entry door along with a level. there is also a level on the dash. the lower valve raises and lowers the front and the two upper valves tilt me left or right
Yes. I believe there is an interlock to prevent the slide from operating if the system knows the coach is not level (there appear to be ways to trick the system)
I used to manually level the coach to perfect 0 with a bubble level. I have since gotten used to letting the automatic leveling do its thing and living with the tinny bit it is out of level. I don't even notice it anymore. I leave the auto-level on but I have never heard the auto-leveling system make any corrections after I shut off the engine. We have sat for over a month without the auto-leveler activating.
I suppose I should just shut the leveling system it off but I like the idea that it will correct itself if it goes out of level. My kids call me a perfectionist. Can you imagine that???
Since my GV is so high tech compared to everyone else's rig I do the automatic leveling with the hydraulic HWH jacks, then adjust by raising the rear just enough to cause the bathroom door to stay in whatever location we let go of it. Very seldom is it more than two taps on the rear jack toggle switches. This way, at night we can leave the bathroom door open and still leave it closed enough for our cat to get to the front where his litterbox is.
You mean there is more to it than pushing the button????? 8) :P :))
Am I wrong, again. I thought that with the ignition switch on the coach went to "ride Height" ???. If this is not so... when does the coach assume "ride height"?????
Ever so in the dark
Bill
Bill,
On our coach, the engine has to be running.
On 97 U270 coach, if the leveling system is on with coach stationary, I can turn the engine or the ignition "on" and the coach will remain in the level position. Once the transmission is engaged to "D", the level system will go to ride height. Or, I can just turn the leveling system "OFF" and the coach will resume ride height (that is with the engine running or ignition in the "on" position.
ps. I use the AWH leveling automatic routine to level the coach.
Our coach will go to "Level" mode on request from the HWH control panel while the engine is running if the transmission is in neutral and the parking brake is set. An alarm will sound. We normally level the coach with the engine running, then shut down the engine. When we start the engine, if the leveling system is on it will remain on until cancelled at the control panel. After turning off "Level" mode and when appropriate pressures have been achieved, the "Travel" light will illuminate. My understanding is that the "Travel" doesn't mean that full travel height have been achieved, but that all valves are in appropriate positions. We wait until the attitude of the coach has settled before moving. I usually notice movement as the coach assumes travel height. My wife doesn't notice the movement.
I have not checked various combinations of interlocks among the leveling systems, transmission, and parking brake. I do know that the leveling system will not turn on if the transmission is in "D" and the parking brake is not set. I also know that the alarm will sound if the HWH is in "Level" mode and the engine is running.
JD,
Ditto all you said, and let's not forget that moving the coach when the full ride position has been reached puts added stress on the transaxle drive shaft components.