Forum Discussion

Goldencrazy's avatar
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Feb 17, 2015

leveler/stabilizer

I level before the slides are out and then tweak it after they have been deployed. I pay special attention to never having any wheels off the ground. I do not chock the wheels. Emergency brake of course is engaged. My coach seems to lack stability as the slightest movement in the coach is noticeable. Is this common to everyone with the gas chassis? I believe that the DP with air ride that let's out air when stopped is much more stabile and of course the large DP's that constantly level are totally out of my ball park. Just curious if all these years I missed something.
  • FIRE UP wrote:


    To Goldencrazy,
    Your procedure is spot on. Get level, then slides out,


    I think it depends on the coach. My Monaco manual calls for deploying slides first, followed by leveling.
  • Billinwoodland wrote:
    FIRE UP wrote:


    To Goldencrazy,
    Your procedure is spot on. Get level, then slides out,


    I think it depends on the coach. My Monaco manual calls for deploying slides first, followed by leveling.


    Bill,
    Yep, I think I've seen this before where Monaco owners have stated what you're saying. To me, it surely doesn't make sense. To me, if you create a level, stable, "multi-plane" square platform, by leveling, then the slides can extend without binding or, having any GRAVITATIONAL pull, one way or another. And, as we all know, some of those slides are pretty darn long and big.

    But, I didn't design the coaches so, it's not my say-so on how procedures are laid out. If Monaco or, any other brand calls for slides first, then level, well, it is what it is. Now, if someone can explain the logic in extending slides first then leveling, maybe I'd "see the light" so to speak.

    But, when I watch my galley slide, which is seriously heavy and, has that last point roll-down to make a level floor when fully extended, I can't imagine it being extended when I'm un-level.
    Scott
  • Maybe Monaco assumes the coach is close? But the manual doesn't specify. There was a brief discussion about this on the Monaco owners forum. I see your point, but I think I will continue to follow the manufacturer.
    Best
    Bill
  • "FIRE UP"......Here's why the old Monaco recommended their procedure. First, they used a three jack (point) leveling system. Second, Monaco's chassis would be considered a monocoque chassis. When Monaco installed their slides, the coach was fully aired up at ride height. Their slide openings were square. Even though a campground site may not be level, the Monaco chassis would sit pretty rigid, disregarding the unevenness while aired up. Consequently, the slide openings were still square. You deploy the slides, dump the air and then level.

    Many will argue this procedure to ad nauseam, but it worked for the Monaco coaches for many years. Newmar recently changed their procedure on their full wall slides to extending first and leveling second. On my FWS, I determine the level of the site before I extend. If the site is fairly level, I level first. If the site is not very level, I deploy my FWS first and then level.
  • We find that we do need to lift a little weight off the suspension or the coach will move. We do not by any means put most of the weight on the jacks. There is plenty on the tires yet. We also use a couple of blocks so they do not have to be extended a long ways. Our coach is pretty stable.
  • I to have a gas rig,but I always use rubber jack pads,My pads are made out of a stall mat,bought a tractor supply for 33.00, it gave me a lot of 12x12 pads,i use 2 pads under each jack all the time,stable great,no movement.I have enough to put under tires in the winter.