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Topic: Manually raising a 2002 Coach? (Read 970 times) previous topic - next topic

Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

I'm finally gonna get started on an RV garage here, and I have to park the motorhome in an odd place, requiring me to raise it to get the most clearance possible to get it up into position.  My old manual U280 was easy, raising or lowering the rear levers.

I remember the FT folks did something with the air system to get it either lower or higher to move it into the paint shop.  I can't remember the secret to keep it from automatically going to travel height.  Can someone remind me of the method? 

Thanks!
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #1 –
On my '95 with self leveling you need to keep the control panel "button" depressed all the while while you SLOWLY move the coach.

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: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
On my '95 with self leveling you need to keep the control panel "button" depressed all the while while you SLOWLY move the coach.

Keith

Are you talking about the "Raise" button?  Thanks for the reply.  I don't know if the 1995 panel looks like the 2002 panel, but I appreciate the response.  Still hoping for a response for the later years....
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #3 –
Brad, Press the AIR button then press and hold the RAISE button and SLOWLY proceed.  When you release the RAISE button coach will return to TRAVEL position.
Gary B

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #4 –
Don't forget that the drive shaft angle increases as you raise the coach.  So go real easy on the throttle.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #5 –
What Gary said, x2.  I have to raise my coach to get over some of the speed bumps at one of the local military bases.
Brian and Jen

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #6 –
Great!  Thanks everyone!!!  I don't think I need a LOT of clearance, and it is on a very quiet, but wide street.  I should be able to take my time and get it up on the side of the house very, very slowly.....
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter –

.........................I remember the FT folks did something with the air system to get it either lower or higher to move it into the paint shop.  I can't remember the secret to keep it from automatically going to travel height.  Can someone remind me of the method?..................................
Brad,
On my system, if the key is on and the HWH is in "Travel" mode, I know of no way to "Hold" the coach in any "NON TRAVEL HEIGHT" partially or fully raised (or lowered) position.  The HWH system starts returning the coach to "Travel Height" as soon as the RAISE or DUMP button is released.  The remaining level controls do not function if the parking brake is released.

With parking brake set, however, one can "lock" the coach in any partially or fully raised (or lowered, or tilted) position by holding the RAISE/DUMP/MANUAL buttons until the coach is where you want it/press "LEVEL" (one time, not two)/turn the ignition to OFF.  The "NON TRAVEL HEIGHT" condition will then "hold" until either the HWH airbags bleed down OR ONE TURNS THE IGNITION KEY "ON".  Mine will seemingly last forever, which I think is fairly normal (air is trapped between the six pack solenoids and the air bags............which are generally very leak free).  Turn the ignition key on, though, and the coach immediately starts to seek its "Travel Height".

Was that perhaps what you saw the techs do?
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Neal Pillsbury –
Turn the ignition key on, though, and the coach immediately starts to seek its "Travel Height". 
Was that perhaps what you saw the techs do?
Neal

I think Gary has it.  The key is to HOLD the raise (or lower) button and carefully move, realizing that it will immediately head to travel mode since the parking brake is off. 
The door to this particular shop at FT was odd and they just had to change the height as they went in with the coach.  I cannot remember if they needed to lower it or raise it due to a drain grill that was low and would scrape.  Too old and CRS any more.  It was about 6 yrs ago, in my defense...
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)
 

Re: Manually raising a 2002 Coach?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter –
.................I think Gary has it.  The key is to HOLD the raise (or lower) button and carefully move, realizing that it will immediately head to travel mode since the parking brake is off.......................
I agree. HOLDing the RAISE or LOWER buttons and moving the coach is worthy of CAUTION.

    • In a raised position, one must be gentle because of the extreme drive line angles and the unnatural forces placed on the u-joints.
       
    • In a lowered position, most FT's (that I'm familiar with) will encounter tire to floor contact, especially if the coach is not on perfectly level ground.
Often, newbie FT owners aren't made aware of these issues.
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten