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Topic: leveling and activating slides (Read 573 times) previous topic - next topic

leveling and activating slides

I am a new foretravel owner.  When leveling the RV and extending the slides am I suppose to level first then put out the slides Also should I leave the engine running when I am completing these functions.  When I an ready to leave the park should I start the engine before bringing in the slides.  Thanks for your help.

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #1 –
Quote from: firetura –
I am a new foretravel owner.  When leveling the RV and extending the slides am I suppose to level first then put out the slides
Yes, putting them out when not level will cause you issues at some point
Quote from: firetura –
Also should I leave the engine running when I am completing these functions.
Up to you really.  I tend to leave it running for the 30 seconds or so it takes to level so I have the engine air compressor available, then its off while I "deploy" the slides.
Quote from: firetura –
  When I an ready to leave the park should I start the engine before bringing in the slides.  Thanks for your help.
No need to do this IMO.  I bring them in with the engine off so I can hear for any issues. 
There may be a occasion when you want to tilt to coach to help drain any water that has collected on top of the slides or awing, some coaches are susceptible to that.  For that you may want the extra air that the engine compressor will deliver in a much more rapid fashion than the HWH pump.  If you ever do that don't twist the coach, its either level front to back or level side to side to drain.  On mine I just go out and fully extend the awnings but that's not an option on all coaches.

PS Please add your coach year/model to your signature, it helps to provide a more direct answer as things do change from year to year.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #2 –
Agree with Steve,  but I always have the engine running when I put the slides out and in.  Always in a level position.  Also by keeping the engine running when pulling into a park spot it gives the Turbo Charger a chance to cool down before turning the engine off.  I was told to also turn the ac switch off before turning the engine off.  By cranking the engine before bringing the slides in gives the engine time to warm up before moving. Most of this is up to you except be level before moving a slide.  Enjoy DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #3 –
I agree with both Steve and  Dan. If you are going to be leaving a campground, why not have your eng running while putting in your slides and stowing your gear. Doesn't take that long and your eng will be warmed up.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #4 –
Another interesting bit of info, maybe miss lead.  At the Grandvention in Sevierville Tenn a year ago, James T got up and when asked that exact same question, he said it was preferred to extend the slide, then level.  Would assume one is not trying to level on an impossible angle.
I would also have thought to level then extend the slide, nope per James T.
If you have a fight,  go get him.

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #5 –
I remember the same comment - he also said dump all air and then level - guess it wouldn't hurt to level first, expend slide, and then re-level as necessary
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: leveling and activating slides

Reply #6 –
He also said that the different years do it differently.  The newer coaches automatically dump then level.  I dump if I am going to be there for a while if not then I do not.  As to the slides, I run the engine when I pull them in and out. They get power from the chassis batteries, so the engine is feeding it.  It can run in without the engine on but if I start up, I can run into low power check engine light after pulling in two slides and starting right away.
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: leveling and activating slides

Reply #7 –
Quote
James T got up and when asked that exact same question, he said it was preferred to extend the slide, then level.
ROFL, I honestly can't think of a worse thing to do with slides on my coach.

I will say that on a 03, if you deploy and then level you will cause yourself problems, in fact even going out of level enough with them deployed will cause you grief.  The slides float enough in the side wall opening that they will even bind in wall opening, yes I have the pictures.

The dump then level (not part of this specific question)  is an generally an attempt to have as much of the coach resting on the rails to make it wobble less when walking around and to have the entry step as low as possible.  I've never really had a problem with auto level in this regard but there are times when you may want to tweak your specific situation.

Anyway do what makes you happy, and have the funds to support that decision :)
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #8 –
Gee, we have been in some seemingly imposible spots in which to get level.  I like to level with the engine running, if it doesn't work I can adjust where we are and try again.  Once level, I extend the room and adjust level as needed.  Then shut down. On leaving, I start the engine, while still level retract the room,  go to travel position, leave.  All respect to other opinions but this process makes sense to me.  I think I have heard most of them by now.  Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: leveling and activating slides

Reply #9 –
I only move the slide room with the coach level. Been doing it that way for years now without any problems.

I also never dump the air. If I need the step higher or lower, i raise or lower the entire coach after leveling, then recheck for level. It has always been good.

When boondocking, I turn the hwh pump off to save electricity, and the coach retains its level position.
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