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Topic: Leveling system on our new coach (Read 866 times) previous topic - next topic

Leveling system on our new coach

Here's my first question as a new owner (and I don't even have the coach yet). Shortly after we made the decision to eventually go full-time I built a parking place on the south side of our house. I think that the member map will show it if you can zoom in close enough. With the mpg I simply drove around in a circle in the yard and more or less pulled the trailer into place, then backed in the last bit. There is a slope on the west side of that parking place, though, that cause the rear bumper of the mpg to drag a bit on the rock. No damage to anything, but I'm wondering about how the Foretravel will go there. I can make the same circle and back in, but is there a way to use the leveling system to raise or lower the front and rear separately?

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #1 –
You will leave very deep ruts driving a heavy coach on your yard, especially in Spring.  Do not bottom out the coach.  You may temporarily raise the front or rear to prevent scraping of the front or rear of the coach by using the HWH controls for the air suspension.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #2 –
Thanks, Peter. No I'm not going to try to plow the yard with the coach, but with the drought we've been having the yard usually resembles concrete. We got a bit of snow/sleet yesterday, so there is a fraction of an inch of moisture, but that will be gone soon. Much of what passes for soil here in the Ozarks is actually thinly-disguised rock.

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #3 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
Thanks, Peter. No I'm not going to try to plow the yard with the coach, but with the drought we've been having the yard usually resembles concrete. We got a bit of snow/sleet yesterday, so there is a fraction of an inch of moisture, but that will be gone soon. Much of what passes for soil here in the Ozarks is actually thinly-disguised rock.
Hee, Hee
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #4 –
You can raise the coach to help clear that rock and keep the mudflap off the ground.  You can drive slowly with it raised or raise it before hitting the auto level button.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #5 –
What year model did they change from the 3 sticks on floor to the computer leveling system ?
I have to hold the "raise" button down while moving, as soon as I release it,  it goes back to normal ride height. Not a problem, just note worthy as I did not know how to raise and move it. Like most things, very simple once you learn a little more.
After 4 years of "learn a little more" I think I have it down pretty well, at least until the next "whats this?".
Enjoy, I do
Dave M

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #6 –
David,

Congratulations! I hope all goes smoothly with the transaction.

We managed to turn our coach around in your back yard and level it near your parking place for the MPG. A forty footer will require a bit more room to turn and a parking spot that is a bit more level. However, I expect you will have no significant problems.

Be cautious getting in and out of the driveway from the street. You will probably need to put the front wheels far to the outside of turns in order to keep the rear wheels out of the ditch. Use as much yard and street as you can to keep all the wheels on good surfaces. You definitely do not want to put any wheels in a ditch.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #7 –
On my U320 one has to hold the raise button continuously.  I have to raise the coach going in and out of the storage warehouse as there is a short steep ramp with a sharp brake at the top.  Backing out its fun as I am hunched down, finger on button and can only see out of one mirror.  If I have 4" between the mirror and the door on one side I am good.  I wish there was a switch to keep the coach up.  Maybe with a bright warning light.  Anyone ever done that?


Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #8 –
Dave M nailed it. Just hold down the raise button to keep the air bags filled. You will want to start plenty ahead of time to allow them to inflate and go very slowing when pulling in. Its kind of a pain to hold down the button while driving but it can be done.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
Dave M nailed it. Just hold down the raise button to keep the air bags filled. You will want to start plenty ahead of time to allow them to inflate and go very slowing when pulling in. Its kind of a pain to hold down the button while driving but it can be done.
Remember that when you raise the real axle the angle of the driveshaft between the transaxle and the transmission begins to get severe as you raise the coach. Again this is the reason you should never exceed but a couple miles per hour with the coach raised.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #10 –
When I'm maneuvering something large and expensive around other things that can damage it or be damaged by it I'm the slowest driver around. More than once I've moved the Lincoln around and the digital speedometer never showed anything higher than 0.
 

Re: Leveling system on our new coach

Reply #11 –
Dave Metzger asked: "What year model did they change from the 3 sticks on floor to the computer leveling system ?"

Dave,

I believe that it was in '92, as my U-280 has the HWH computer leveling system and I was told (at purchase in '03) that it was the first year for it to be installed as standard equipment.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.