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leveling problem

Does anyone know how the front actuators operate on a 1988 u300. When I push the middle lever forward close it lets the air out , but as soon as I put it back to center it fills back up with air. the front bags also go flat after a few hours, but I can't locate a leak

Thanks,
Rob
1988 40ft grandvilla u300 6v92ta 4speed allison

Re: leveling problem

Reply #1 –
That's normal as fas as I can tell, pulling that lever back should inlflate them beyond ride height. The two side levers do the same for the L and R rears. Finding the leak will be fun. Soapy water and a sprayer. There's a leak somewhere in our  setup as well, but it's a "leakdown after several days" and from what I've been able to gather, normal and not worth going after.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: leveling problem

Reply #2 –
Rob,
I think I know what's confusing.
When you want the front end to lower, you move the center lever forward and leave the lever in that position
It's not like a hydraulic system where the levers always return to the center position.
Do you have the instructions in the coach manual?  If not I can scan and post.  There are some details you need to be aware of so you don't twist the coach.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: leveling problem

Reply #3 –
if you leave it in the forward position the air keeps coming out and deflates all the way
1988 40ft grandvilla u300 6v92ta 4speed allison

Re: leveling problem

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Rob L. –
if you leave it in the forward position the air keeps coming out and deflates all the way
Yep, that's how you "dump" the air in the bags.  Weight of coach will rest on internal bumpers inside of each air bag.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: leveling problem

Reply #5 –
so do you mean you can only have to heights. all the way full or all the way empty. what if I only want to let hal the air out?
1988 40ft grandvilla u300 6v92ta 4speed allison

Re: leveling problem

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Rob L. –
so do you mean you can only have to heights. all the way full or all the way empty. what if I only want to let hal the air out?
No, it's infinitely variable:  The position of the lever reflects the height that you want.  If the bubbles indicate that the front of the coach is a little high, you nudge the lever forward, listen for the air flow to stop (meaning it's stabilized) and look at the bubble again to see if that was too much or not enough.
Here's a post with my explanation of how it works Travel mode leveling
Attached are the three pages out of the manual.  This should help.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: leveling problem

Reply #7 –
It can't be stressed enough to adjust the rear (outer levers) levels FIRST.  Try to leave the front (middle) where it was when you parked the coach...by raising or lowering the rear sides to reach level.  The instructions tell you to lower or raise the rear first, but in my opinion, it could have been stressed further.

It is EASY to take that middle lever and manage to create a 1/2" opening between the center of the two windshields.  The coach is actually that flexible to twist, however, that is completely undesirable.

Merits another word of caution:  If you park that heavy coach on soft ground, keep an eye on it.  I parked my 1990 U280 on a friend's lot for a little while and apparently the ground was not as stable as I expected.  After only a few days, I got to see daylight between the center rubber and the driver's windshield.
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: leveling problem

Reply #8 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
No, it's infinitely variable:  The position of the lever reflects the height that you want.  If the bubbles indicate that the front of the coach is a little high, you nudge the lever forward, listen for the air flow to stop (meaning it's stabilized) and look at the bubble again to see if that was too much or not enough.
Here's a post with my explanation of how it works Travel mode leveling
Attached are the three pages out of the manual.  This should help.
thanks John,

ah, that's the part I was missing. so, the lever position is proportional to the height of the front of the coach. Got it.
1988 40ft grandvilla u300 6v92ta 4speed allison