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Topic: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?) (Read 778 times) previous topic - next topic

HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

I have heard a lot of good things about HWH service.
 
As some of you know, Ducky is bogged down in my rain-soaked back yard. I have gotten good advice on how to resolve that issue. My intentions have been to turn the engine on and raise the air bags to allow me to shovel the front of the wheel ruts so that I can slowly drive forward (kitty litter at the drive wheels).
 
I checked my HWH manual and discovered that the raise button only works as long as I hold my finger on it. I could probably enlist Jean to sit in the pilot's seat and hold it in, but it is still a few days before she attends the Ladies Driving School. Thinking there had to be a better way, I called HWH to find out.
 
The telephone answerer said all of that information including manuals was on their website. I told her I had just read the manual and wanted to ask about one of the instructions. She forwarded me to tech support. The TS Answerer said that all of the tech support people were busy and if I left my name and number someone would call me back in 2 to 2 1/2 WEEKS! I told her that I just wanted to find out how to keep the coach in a raised position; she said that everyone just has a simple question. Now I understand the true meaning of the duty title I have given her: TS,A!
 
My contractor is coming tomorrow to dig and build by RV pad. Ducky is impeding that work. Surely, there must be a simple method to keep the airbags raised. How about if I raise it and then turn off the keypad?
 
Anybody have any suggestions?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
(Still stuck in Owasso)
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #1 –
Start your engine, let air pressure come up, hold "Raise" button down until coach is at max height, shut off engine, release "Raise" button.  Unless you have a bad leak, air bags should hold the "full up" position.  That's the way it works on our coach.  Good luck with the "extraction"!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #2 –
Trent,

A similar process I use is to have engine on, air pressure up, and air system on.  Then press the front up button till no more movement and then the rear up button until no more movement.

Turn engine off and air system off if you wish.  My coach will sit that way for weeks.

Please my all the best getting out.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #3 –
but if engine is on, won't coach want to go to travel mode once you release and put in gear?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #4 –
Tim,

My procedure will sit at full height with the engine running.  Have not tried this when not in neutral.  I am sitting at the wheel when not in neutral so holding the raise button would be okay when moving the coach at least for me.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
but if engine is on, won't coach want to go to travel mode once you release and put in gear?

Notice I said "Shut off engine"...THEN..."Release raise button".
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #6 –
I think the problem is that if you want to use the coach to help drive itself out of the hole while trying to pull it out, it will lower itself into travel mode as soon as you release the button while the engine is running. I think that is a good idea to reduce stress on the bulkhead joints. Depending on the incline of the ramps you dig out in front of the Duels, and with the addition of gravel for traction, you may not need a whole lot of external polling force to get it out. We once got stuck when I thought I could turn a regular campsite into a pull through. It would have worked, if it hadn't been raining the previous three nights before we got there... that is my story and I'm sticking to it! Another camper was kind enough to allow me to hook my safety cables onto his Hitch on his duly truck. Admittedly, it was from behind, but it worked with no drama.
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #7 –
agree on how the HWH works, and agree, low pulling force and no drama when pulled from behind on slick grass. +3 on no drama pulled from behind.

Tim
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #8 –
Yes, mine works as above.  I often raise the coach all the way up then hit the level button.  Coach stays raised all the time until I start the engine and put in drive.

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: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #9 –
The way I read the original post, the OP just wanted to raise the coach so he would have working space to dig out around the wheels.  I assumed he would let it back down when he got ready to move it.  But I could have got that all wrong - wouldn't be the first time!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #10 –
Cajk is right.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #11 –
You can move the coach with the air bags fully inflated if you hold the "Raise" button while the transmission in in "D" or "R." I've used that mode to avoid dragging low parts on a severe surface angle change or a pothole that can't be avoided.

The raised chassis will put a lot of angle in the universal joints in the drive shaft, so be especially careful with application of power and keep the speed below 5 mph. (Keeping the speed low is usually not a problem in the back yard. :P )

Best wishes for dry weather and an extraction with no drama or damage.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #12 –
Why couldn't you set a 2"x12" pad, several if necessary under the hitch and place hydraulic jack under the hitch and jack the rear wheel up high enough to place plywood, rocks or other medium under the tires to get the traction. Then lower the air pressure in rear tires being careful to keep the inside tire from rubbing the other tire. Place roofing shingles in the entire length of the rut. Remove the dirt from in front of the front tires. Good luck. 
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #13 –
OK you can hold the raise button as you are driving just like you can hold the lower button to get under a door.  It should stay up after you raise it and shut off the engine.

IF it will not go into travel mode, go under the coach and throw the switch in the silver box.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #14 –
Speaking of lowering the coach to drive under a door reminds me that when Foretravel built the present showroom building on the corner there on Stallings Drive there was an entry door on the south side for access to the showroom. The door was not tall enough to admit the U 320 models so they had to drive the new show pieces into the showroom while holding the "dump" button. Doesn't' make much difference now, none of the newer models will go in even while "dumped".
Ergo, no indoor showroom any more.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,
 

Re: HWH Tech Support Experience Abysmal (How do I keep coach in raised position?)

Reply #15 –
Raise it, shut it off, pull the "travel height" fuse on the HWH board. It will stay up even with the engine on. Reverse process to get back to normal after getting out of hole. ^.^d
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk