Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: U295 Owner on December 12, 2014, 05:40:23 pm

Title: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: U295 Owner on December 12, 2014, 05:40:23 pm
Please forgive my first-grader questions, but this is our first MH.  Do most of you level the coach while the engine is still running?  Or do you shut down the engine and then level?  Much of what I've read indicates that the engine should be running.  However, the former owner of my rig...who was a well-known motorcade officer whom many of you have motorcaded with...left some notes to supplement the coach manual.  His instructions were to always shut the engine down before leveling.  As many of you know, the coach manual itself doesn't provide info like that.
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Tim Fiedler on December 12, 2014, 06:09:11 pm
I level with engine on - more air from engine compressor than 12 Volt
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Retired Navy Chief on December 12, 2014, 06:15:22 pm
I always leave the coach running to level and open the slides.  Like Tim, I believe the engine compressor has more volume than the 12v pump.  David
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: rbark on December 12, 2014, 06:55:42 pm
I do the same as David and Tim. This also lets the eng cool down some, then I can check the transmission oil level before shutting down.
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Brad Metzger (RIP) on December 12, 2014, 06:57:45 pm
     I understand engine running to get level as more air is the issue  . Now , what does the engine running have to do with the slides going in or out . All Foretravel's I ever heard of had hydraulic systems .  If batteries are of concern , gen set uses less fuel , if at a campground shore power works good also as you are paying for it anyway .              Brad Metzger
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Roland Begin on December 12, 2014, 07:27:37 pm
I always level with the engine on, may have to move the coach to achieve a level condition. We are not always on "level" ground. Sometimes takes several small moves to level, easier with the engine running.

Roland
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Tim Fiedler on December 12, 2014, 10:18:48 pm
Slides don't care about engine, but I like to level before slide goes out, and re-level after slide goes out, then shut down engine
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: rbark on December 13, 2014, 12:23:27 am
Brad, you are right about eng having nothing to do with the slides going in or out.
 I use that time to let eng idle so when I'm all settled with leveling and slides out I can check the Trans oil level with the touch pad. Just my way.
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: wolfe10 on December 13, 2014, 08:33:57 am

 I use that time to let eng idle so when I'm all settled with leveling and slides out I can check the Trans oil level with the touch pad. Just my way.

I am very surprised that the Allison will check the oil level before driving to warm up the fluid???

OIL LEVEL CODE    CODE DESCRIPTION
oL 0X    Setting time too short
oL 50    Engine RPM too low
oL 59    Engine RPM too high
oL 65    Neutral not selected
oL 70    Sump fluid temperature too low
oL 79    Sump fluid temperature too high
oL 89    Output shaft rotation detected
oL 95    Oil level sensor failed
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Neal Pillsbury on December 13, 2014, 09:57:36 am
Brett,
Your info is good, but Richard was talking about his arrival sequence of activities.  I sometimes do the same, (thankfully, minus the slide activities).
Neal
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Jerry Whiteaker on December 13, 2014, 10:42:44 am
I always level with the engine running.  After turning off the engine, I also turn off the level system.  My coach doesn't have any air leaks in the leveling system and will stay level for a couple of weeks.  Many coaches have minor air leaks so must be left in auto.  When dry camping this is a drain on the house battery, but it doesn't matter when plugged in.  In auto sometimes the system will re-level when we are both on one side of the coach and then when we move it may do it again.  If I'm parked on a level spot or nearly level, I dump the air springs as much as possible to get the step lower, but then I have to watch that I don't whack my head on a mirror.
Title: Re: Follow-on Question To Controversial Leveling
Post by: Caflashbob on December 13, 2014, 01:01:48 pm
After auto leveling with the engine running I turn the system off.  Never moves.  Month later it's exactly where I left it. 

No leaks in the leveling system it seems.  Much better