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First encounter with a ferry

The Forest Service Ranger in Republic Washington told me that I would have no problem boarding the Keller Ferry (which crosses the Columbia River on Washington 21).  When I got to the Ferry landing and saw the short steep ramp, I thought about disconnecting my toad, backing up the steep hill, turning around, and backtracking rather than boarding the ferry. But, a car pulled in behind me so I decided to proceed.  Because I was concerned about the clearance between the underside of the coach and the break over at the top of the ramp, I raised the coach the maximum amount and proceeded to board the ferry at the direction on the deck hand.  The underside of the coach cleared with no problem, but the underside of the trailer hitch made a hard contact with the concrete approach at the bottom of the ramp.  Just before the hitch made contact I glanced at the display on the level control and realized that the control had switched to "Travel" mode when I shifted into gear and the coach had been dropping as I boarded the ferry.  I raised the coach before exiting the ferry and did not shift into drive until I was directed to move.  Everything cleared.  I checked the hitch after leaving the ferry and discovered that the bottom of the hitch had suffered some minor damage.

Is there a procedure that can be used to prevent the control from switching to the "Travel" mode for those rare times when it is necessary to move the coach over obstacles? 
Gary Vanhoff
1998 U320
3600 WTFE
Build No. 5342
2007 HHR Toad
Spokane Valley, Washington

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #1 –
Yes,on my 2001 320, when in gear, you need to keep finger on the raise button while you want it raised, take your finger off and it goes back to normal travel  height, have needed that procedure a few times, it works for me.

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #2 –
Gary, years ago, FOT had new coaches displayed on the showroom floor. The entry door was on the south end of the showroom. The door clearance was such that the coach had to be driven in while airbags were empty. It was standard procedure to hold the button while moving the vehicle thru the door. I suspect that this is de rigeour for all of our airbag systems
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: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #3 –
And it seems, no matter how HARD you push on the raise or dump buttons, the change will not increase.  Ha-ha.  I have had to replace the control face on our 96 as holes appearred....
Carolyn and Lewis (Andy1) Anderson
1996 U270 36'

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #4 –
Both of my old motorhomes, a class C and a class A, I scrapped the trailer hitch all the time - gas stations, parking lock entrances, ferry approaches, and so on.  Had to learn how to approach these things at a angle.    And I still have to be careful, because my Foretravel does not have a air ride suspension.  And I can tell you that there are certain places (things with humps) that I will not go over.  There is a road they many motorhomes use when going to World Travelers RV Resort in San Antanio, Tx  where I believe my coach would belly out, and another campground entrance over RR tracks in Corning NY also.  And I know of several RR crossings  which would be a problem too, but then no reason for me to go over then cause they are entrances to industrial plants.  And even though my coach is not as bad as my previous coaches,  there are gas stations approaches where I have to be careful.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #5 –
Pat,

Is your ride height between 32-33?  Ideal being mid-spec at 32.5".  If not, raise it to minimize tail dragging.  It is generally the rear that looses ride height (Torsilastic suspension). With front high, rear low, tail dragging is accentuated.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #6 –
Brett, while on this subject I seem to remember that the rear shims on the system on my brothers 240 are uneven, ie there are more in front of the rear wheel than back of it. I am 2000 miles away from it now but have this recolection when looking at things. What influence would that have?
His is riding low and as mentioned before to you we will have to look at it closer for air bags as helpers in spring.
John h
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #7 –
Am right where it is suppose to be at 32.5".  There are just lots of places out there where one has to be careful.  Like I said, my Foretravel is no where near as bad as my old motorhomes on the tail end.  Some gas stations that sell diesel have extreme dips where one should be extremely careful.  And the street near World Travelers in San Antonio if i remember correctly is E. Southcross Blvd near S Presa St at the RR crossing.  I cleared it okay with my old Allegro, but they say that many motorhomes tail scrape when starting up the grade, and then belly out at the top.  I know enough to not go that way now.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Brett, while on this subject I seem to remember that the rear shims on the system on my brothers 240 are uneven, ie there are more in front of the rear wheel than back of it. I am 2000 miles away from it now but have this recolection when looking at things. What influence would that have?
His is riding low and as mentioned before to you we will have to look at it closer for air bags as helpers in spring.
John h
Removing a shim increases the coach heigth.  I believe one shim equals 1/2" if I remember correctly.  He may want to change out to the heaver 19,000 lb suspension from the current 16,000 lb one, considering he has the U240.  Brett did that on his I believe.  I believe adding air bags would not be cost effective.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #9 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Brett, while on this subject I seem to remember that the rear shims on the system on my brothers 240 are uneven, ie there are more in front of the rear wheel than back of it. I am 2000 miles away from it now but have this recolection when looking at things. What influence would that have?
His is riding low and as mentioned before to you we will have to look at it closer for air bags as helpers in spring.
John h

John,

Different number of shims in front of a wheel position than behind it is a MAJOR ROMPER ROOM NO NO.

That artificially induces caster in an axle and disturbs suspension geometry.  If more than a shim or two off, it would also put a lot of angular thrust on the torsilastic arm bushings.

Again, you can have very different shim counts at different wheel positions, but at each wheel position the number in front of and behind must be the same.

Brett

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #10 –
thanks brett, I hope they are reading this item and he has a look at it as I am sure it is that way when we brought it across US. Will check it out
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
thanks brett, I hope they are reading this item and he has a look at it as I am sure it is that way when we brought it across US. Will check it out
John H
John,
Here is the link to Brett's article about the Torsilastic Suspension, including how to measure the ride height and how to adjust it.  Actually a full history of it.  Everything your brother needs to know!
Foretravel Torsilastic Suspension
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #12 –
We were on that Keller ferry on the 29th of Sept in our SUV and I can testify that both side would be far too steep for our U225 with no air suspension. At least not at where the water level is right now. Brand new aluminum ferry. We couldn't find the coffee shop though. ;P

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."
 

Re: First encounter with a ferry

Reply #13 –
I took photos of my experience with the Keller Ferry on September 26 and am posting for those who are interested.  The photo taken through my windshield is looking south across the Columbia River (Lake Roosevelt) with the ferry approaching the ramp.  Note the steep ramp.  It was scary but I did clear the ramp, on both sides of the river.  Note that the river is in a deep canyon.  The highway from the other side to the top of the canyon has some steep sections and two very tight hairpin turns.  One, a right hand inside curve, is the sharpest I have ever encountered; had to use both lanes to negotiate.  Another note:  There is a nice Bureau of Reclamation Campground on the river just west of the south ferry terminal and the ferry ride is "free".
Gary Vanhoff
1998 U320
3600 WTFE
Build No. 5342
2007 HHR Toad
Spokane Valley, Washington