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Topic: So -- How do you level your coach? (Read 1313 times) previous topic - next topic

So -- How do you level your coach?

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?

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #1 –
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.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #3 –
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)
The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #4 –
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".
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: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #5 –
In six years of motorhomes, we have probably leveled ten times.  We just park and go with it.

Matt B
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #6 –
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.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #7 –
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 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: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
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?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #9 –
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
1980 FTX 38 RED

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
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?

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)
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: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #11 –
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???
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: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #12 –
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.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #13 –
You mean there is more to it than pushing the button????? 8) :P :))
Scott, Bonnie and Bentley
2001 36' U320
2006 Hummer H3

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #14 –
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
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #15 –
Bill,

On our coach, the engine has to be running.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #16 –
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.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Bill Chaplin –
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"?????

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.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX
 

So -- How do you level your coach?

Reply #18 –
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.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH