I've been chasing air leaks since I bought the coach about a year and a half ago. I've learned a lot, more than I'd probably like to have. I've rebuilt both six packs, replaced solenoids, pressure switches, all airbags, all compression fittings, check valves, drain valves, protection valves, ride height control valves, etc.. etc.. the list goes on.
Despite all that, I still haven't been able to get the front to remain level when parked. I've had two issues: 1) the bags leak down and 2) the auto level doesn't work.
After a 3+ week wait, HWH tech support finally confirmed what I feared over the phone. My computer needs to be rebuilt because despite having battery power at the control box, the brains don't turn on when ignition is off. Same with the control panel. In addition to that, when one of my solenoids on the front six pack died and I tried to replace it, I found that the original solenoid was cross threaded and I was unable to screw the new one in. So, I replaced just the coil and as I was making the final turns on the solenoid to tighten it back in, I found it spun freely. So, cross threaded and stripped out. Looks like Elliott's getting a whole new manifold :))
After the coach started raising the front end with a mind of it's own a couple weeks ago (sticking raise solenoids), my wife finally relented and let me add a stop at Moscow Iowa to our route. We pounded out the 1k miles from Salida over the course of a Sunday and Monday evening and are here at HWH now. A new front manifold with new solenoids and fittings, as well as a computer rebuild are in the works but I also asked for a full leak check and pretty much gave them cart blanche to fix anything else they find. As nice as they are, I'd prefer it be a long time before our next visit.
The one consolation prize I have gotten so far is when the tech started bitching about where the front six pack is located on our coach. I have complained about that many times and it was nice to get validation that I'm not crazy.
Anyways, I'm very excited to finally have what will hopefully be an air tight leveling system and have this behind us. I am less excited about the multiple coach bucks I'm about to spend.
Say hi to Lon and Ashley for us. :))
Great write up. Keep us posted on the progress.
You may find the price to be less than you expect. I have always thought they very reasonable.
Rich
I'm hopeful you'll be correct. It's $1k just for the new manifold & solenoids. I'm hoping for under $300 to rebuild the computer... I've heard many different price points across the board for that... it just depends on the time it takes. The rest is mostly just labor at $110/hr. The tech thought he could get it all done today...which is shocking to me having been in there and done a lot of similar work myself. I chose to beg for forgiveness instead of ask permission from the wife, so say a prayer for me.
Unless they are giving you some credit for the old manifold, I'd keep it for parts. You may not be a "saver" like I am though ;D
Already planning on it. The solenoids are $150/ea when bought new!
Scott and I have plans to cross section the manifold so we can see what it's doing under the covers...
Nice Elliot! Will they let you stay in it?
When you say it doesn't auto level, do you mean it levels as it slowly loses air? Or should the compressor kick on to maintain a certain height? For me, I can raise/level it and over the course of a week or so, I'll hear air releasing 1-2 times per day to keep it level. The compressor does not kick on. Maybe it's a setting I don't have on, IDK, but just trying to understand how the system should work.
I'm anxious to hear your results and what they do there. How long did it take to get in?
Jason
My unit does EXACTLY the same as yours. I keep wondering if my compressor actually works or I am on a level site ALL the time
Peter
The leveling system will keep lowering the coach to level until it bottoms out and then
the compressor will start up to level. I have not heard my compressor yet. The longest I
have been parked when the ground is off level is 2 weeks. The coach stayed level the whole
time but I never heard the compressor run but I wasn't always around. I got the compressor
to run one day by bypassing the switch so I know the compressor works.
The HWH manuals are very well written and clear - they explain in great detail how the system "should work". The manuals are available, for FREE, on line.
Link below to the HWH Air Leveling System Text Book. It covers the operation of the leveling systems
in general. Starting on page 17 you will find a clear description of the leveling system and how it should work.
https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml20635.pdf
Because each coach manufacturer has unique requirements pertaining to their coach suspension, the HWH system can sometimes be modified from "standard configuration". There are specific manuals available for each version of the HWH system. All the owner must do is determine what Series system is installed in their coach, then Google the owner manual. For instance, the HWH 680 Series manual is linked below:
https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml17140.pdf
Many of our older Foretravel coaches came with the HWH 600 Series leveling system. There is also a manual for that series:
https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml19048.pdf
HWH has a extensive list of resources for those who wish to learn more than the basics.
Tech Support, Manuals, Online Schools – General Information – HWH® Corporation (http://server51.hwhcorp.com/?page_id=115611)
X2 on what Chuck said.
I hope you are as surprised when you leave as we were, we thought their price for as many people worked on the coach and a list of parts (no computer) that they installed and the air leaks they fixed and flagged (they will not repair non leveling system leaks) all for about $700
Nothing worked well before they got to work on it!
Go to the Iowa 80 truck stop , about 15 minutes south, it's the biggest in the world, there is often a truck show there, well worth the visit!
Tell the tech where your engine batteries are located. If like mine up under aft of the tag. That would give home something to talk about
Rich called it... $1600 out the door. Just paid for the new manifold and four hours labor though they had it most of the day. Turned out the control box was fine after getting tested. I did get a new control panel out of the deal though. Lon confirmed some units just don't light up when ignition is off. Leaves me a little skeptical but can't really test it easily now that I'm air tight. No other leaks found which made me feel good.
Lon claimed some of the solenoids on the old manifold were in wrong positions which may have explained the problems with auto level, which doesn't completely surprise me given the shoddy work I have found as I have been working on it but I'm still skeptical of that diagnosis. Needs more troubleshooting now that everything else is fixed up.
Anyways, the big issue is resolved and we can hold level now. I'll monitor the auto level/control box stuff once we're stationary for a while and see how it behaves.
As others have stated, if your system is releasing air periodically that's good. It means it's working. It'll do that until the pressure switches don't read enough air at the manifold and then start using the aux pump to raise corners instead.
We are a few hours north now at a city park enjoying a level house. $25/night for 50amp and water right on the river. Whole place to ourselves.
Nice.
If your going to he spending a few days in the area, there are some great Army Corps parks along the Mississippi in the Quad Cities area. Davenport's a great city to catch a baseball game and they have a cool farmer's market. We like Fisherman's Corner on the Illinois side as the trains are less frequent and beautiful sunsets. Also like Shady Creek and Clark's Ferry on the Iowa side.
Congrats, Elliott! I know the air leaks were a constant thorn in your craw. Your saga gives the rest of us hope. Please keep us updated and enjoy your level, leak free world! Woody.
Glad to hear you were able to get some service out of HWH. I wish I could say the same.
I have tried for months to get someone to assist me with obtaining a new control console ( the one next to the drivers seat)
I have called, left messages, spoke to people that cant help but forward me elsewhere, still nothing. As we dont use our rig that much for the moment just gave up and fixed the switches myself and covered the console with a piece of clear laminate. Eventually I would like to have it replaced jsut due to appearance. But basically not much on the board that can really go bad that the DIY cant fix, other than the actualy top vinyl switch overlay.
I here so much positive on here about Ohhhh.... HWH this and HWH that, they really cater to the customer. They just dont seem to be showing this FT owner any respect at all. I want to spend $ and buy a part and cant get anyone to help.
I do see the touch pads at other sites, but the number stamped on mine does not show on any sites, Hence the the attempted tech help or purchase from HWH themselves.
Mike are you saying that you are leaving messages and not getting a call back? l had to wait for a week to get a call from a tech, but shipped my controller to them and when he called the box was there and a week later it was repaired and delivered. I find it hard to believe that no one got back to you from all the posts of HWH helping members.
It took 3 weeks for me to get a call back from their parts department. Finally got the call about two weeks ago.
My control pad was worn too and they just swapped it out with a new one while they were troubleshooting the control box. No charge on the bill for it so I assume they'll just refurbish my old one and pass it along to the next guy. Pretty cool of them.
Everything goes through Ashley when you call in, she's the one directing traffic and corralling cats. If you're striking out I'd suggest asking her for help. Sweet girl but she's not going to take shit either.
Gave me a free touchpad cover also, when I was there getting air compressor replaced.
Two years ago after Thanksgiving I had placed a call to HWH and was told it would be 5 weeks before I would get a call back. I did call them a few time reminding them I was waiting on a call back. It turned into I believe 6 or 7 weeks when they called me back.
About a year later I called them about sending in the dash display/control that was bad and told the girl that was what I was wanting to do and she took all of the information. Took a week or two, got a call back, told them I wanted wanted to send in and want is was not doing. Them gave me a RMA and address to send to. I mailed in and maybe a week or two got the part back.
When I was at FT in James office, he would email HWH and get an answer back within minutes.
Yes thats it. I have called them about 3 times, each time to be put on hold or sent to a voice mail. I left several, a few months back. No one ever got back with me. I called the last time about a month or so back and was told by a lady they have my message but are way behind and will eventually get to me.....Nobody ever has. I finally just did what I did to get by.
This started back in February and went till about late April when I called the last time. Honestly had totally forgotten about it, until I was reading Elliots post.
Jason, sorry I missed a couple of your questions. They have five 50amp hookups on site where you can plug in and stay in their lot. It's quite peaceful there after the shop closes with a nice big grass area to run the dogs.
Ashley got us in with two weeks notice
Well the saga continues. They incorrectly wired my solenoids. The left and right dump solenoids are swapped. Shame on me for not manually testing everything before we left HWH. I'm pretty pissed about this since Lon looked me in the face and said he manually tested it all after the install. Could have very easily cracked a windshield. Fixable, but I'm not happy I have to crawl under there and do it myself.
Bummer Elliott!
Don't know why people do that
At least you were able to fix it yourself.
Hope the rest of the system is ok.