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Correct ride height for '91 Grand Villa on Oshkosh chassis?

April 03, 2011, 06:09:57 pm

I suspect that my rear ride height is not correct.  This shows up mainly when I have used the leveling jacks.  In testing them today I was able to get the jacks to lower and correctly level the coach but when I tried to retract them the rear jacks remained down.  I then started the coach and after the air pressure built up the coach was higher in the front than the rear (based on the clearance between the tire and the wheel arch) and the rear jacks remained fully planted even though they were completely retracted.  This has been an ongoing problem and my general solution has been to just drive forward and then the jacks will raise up to the horizontal position. I would like to fix it where this is no longer an issue.  Does anyone know what the attitude of the coach should be, nose up, level, or nose down?  Where would I find the ride height specs?

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Re: Correct ride height for '91 Grand Villa on Oshkosh chassis?

Reply #1 – April 03, 2011, 06:57:00 pm

Hi John, I have a 86' GV same chassis ,3208T.I;m sure your jacks are the same ,HWH leveling jacks that swing down. I had a problem as well I found that cleaning the ground wires, and the frame where they attach at all 4 jacks helped a lot .Because theres a actuator value on each jack that swings them up and down and like averything it needs good gound.And be sure that you dump your air bags before leveling your rig that should work automaticly if your front and rear air values are open.You can also go to HWH web sit and down loud there trouble shooting infor. My GV also sat high in front so I found the value that ajust your ride height it sets between the two front air bags and sits between the axle and frame,using a 10mm wrench you can ajust the arm to change the ride and height,my rig now sets level.good luck paulerik5

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Re: Correct ride height for '91 Grand Villa on Oshkosh chassis?

Reply #2 – April 04, 2011, 08:06:22 am

Paul,

John is correct-- you need to get the "RIDE HEIGHT SPECS" for your chassis and set the ride height valves to those specs.

Ride height is critical to ride, handling and more critically can lead to major component failure if out of spec.  Look at the change of angle of that very short drive shaft as one end is even 2" high or low.  Shocks can be crushed on compression or pulled apart on extension if ride height is out of spec.  Etc.

Freightliner bought Oshkosh chassis.  They may have that information for you.  It will be expressed as XX" when measuring from point A to point B with the chassis on flat ground, air system up and jacks stowed.  Be sure to use safety stands when working under there.

Brett

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