Air leveling question

[LongWeekends]

Good morning all,

After selling our '04 Coachmen Cross Country, it looks like we struck a deal on a 2009 Monaco Camelot 42DSQ.

I'm sure I'll have more questions but I'll start here...the coach has the optional air leveling system on it. For auto leveling it says to start at ride height and then let the system level from there.

Our Coachmen had hydraulic, self-leveling jacks. So we could dump the air, lower the coach several inches and then let it level itself starting from the lowered stance. I really liked this as it put the entry step much closer to the ground.

Can this be done with the air auto-leveling systems?

[moisheh]

MM: Keep up the good work! I bet your wife appreciates you!

Moisheh

[Mr_Mark1]

moisheh wrote:
You should check the unit as some Monacos of that era had both hydraulic and air leveling. Mr. Mark has the best system. His Liberty comes with a butler that does all the work!

Moisheh

Yep, that would be me..... butler, chauffeur, fuel attendant, washer/detailer, head cook/griller, etc. :R

I wear a lot of different hats!

MM.

[LongWeekends]

deandec wrote:

LongWeekends wrote:

deandec wrote:
We level our rig, then turn off the engine and dump the air. It usually dumps to a level attitude and can be adjusted manually from there. Yes the step is closer to the ground.

No. YES The Monaco came with hydraulic leveling jacks or the "upgraded" air leveling system. This has the air system, no jacks. Much to my surprise, once level it is rock solid!

My rig has no jacks. Why did you imply it does?

I quoted the wrong post. Settle down....:R

[deandec]

LongWeekends wrote:

deandec wrote:
We level our rig, then turn off the engine and dump the air. It usually dumps to a level attitude and can be adjusted manually from there. Yes the step is closer to the ground.

No. YES The Monaco came with hydraulic leveling jacks or the "upgraded" air leveling system. This has the air system, no jacks. Much to my surprise, once level it is rock solid!

My rig has no jacks. Why did you imply it does?

[moisheh]

I think you will find that the Camelot has a Valid/Power Gear air leveling system. Disregard most of the replies if that is correct as the 2 systems work differently. We have that system in our Dynasty and my BIL has an 09 Camelot and it has the same system. When parking you just hit the "Auto" button and the coach levels itself. It does not dunp the air and then re-level. These are not some gas model lightweight MH's. They are darn heavy and you get very little movement. One big plus with air leveling is that you are not twisting the chassis and popping windshields. You should check the unit as some Monacos of that era had both hydraulic and air leveling. Mr. Mark has the best system. His Liberty comes with a butler that does all the work!

Moisheh

[smlranger]

Our CC has the HWH air leveling system only, no jacks. I've tried it both ways.... first dump air to let the suspension lower, then activate the air leveling, or just start the air leveling while the coach is still at ride height.

Bottom line, I don't seem much difference between the two in terms of where the coach ends up but dumping air first seems to prolong the process.

As far as movement, I don't see much difference in normal use from that of our previous coach with hydraulic jacks. Now recently we were parked with sustained 40 mph winds hitting the coach broadside, with 60 mph gusts. It shook the coach. Only time I wish I had jacks to provide some additional stability.

[Mr_Mark1]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I did not like air leveling as even 15 tons coach will move with 100lb person walking around.
And if at any doubt - read the manual.
Too many variations in design to apply procedure from one system to another.
I remember practical advise for tilting jacks to move them to vertical position before dumping the air.
When you set the coach too low before tilting jack, they can hit the ground at angle with bad consequences.
Always check the jacks around before lifting.

Our previous '08 Dynasty had air leveling AND hydraulic level legs. Both had slight movement.... If I didn't know, I couldn't tell which one was being used, they both would move a little when someone walked through.

The new coach is air leveling only. At 55,500 lbs., we also have a little movement.

MM.

[LongWeekends]

Bikeboy57 wrote:
Just to add to what Dennis explained very well.

The first step the HWH does in leveling is to release air to achieve level.

If, and only if, the HWH brain cannot level the coach by exhausting air, then it will cause the aux compressor to come on and the brain will inflate air bags to raise a side or end of the coach.

Because the HWH brain exhausts air first, you will find on almost all cases that the step is as low to the ground as it can be for the site you are parked on. Much lower than a jack based system.

This is what I was hoping. Thank you!

[Slowbob]

We have both HWH air leveling and RVA hydraulic jacks. We have been on air for 6 weeks. I ran the coach once to replenish the air tanks, but wasn't below 60#. It isn't quite rock-steady but most of the time you can't tell that it is not on the jacks.
On our coach we turn off the ignition, dunp air manually and then auto level with either system. Both systems will make minor adjustments for about 30 minutes after turning on, then I turn them off to avoid any 12V drain.

Cheers,

Bob
2003 Exec

[JetAonly]

The HWH air leveling system logic assumes that you start at ride height. That is where the manual says to start. You can dump the air first, but, you may limit the ability of the system to level.

Think of it this way, for discussion, that each air bag can raise or lower 6" from ride height. With the back full down and the front full up you can level 12" across the length of the MH. If you dump then only one end can go up 6", instead of 12" of both ends moving.

[Bikeboy57]

Just to add to what Dennis explained very well.

The HWH air leveling system will first level the coach side to side, then front to back. It will repeat those two steps till the coach is level or the air bags run out of adjustment.

The first step the HWH does in leveling is to release air to achieve level. There are sensors on the air bag manifold that will allow the air pressure to only go so low. Those sensor setpoints are unique to each coach manufacturer. So, what that means is the HWH brain will not let the coach sit on the frame when leveling.

If, and only if, the HWH brain cannot level the coach by exhausting air, then it will cause the aux compressor to come on and the brain will inflate air bags to raise a side or end of the coach.

Because the HWH brain exhausts air first, you will find on almost all cases that the step is as low to the ground as it can be for the site you are parked on. Much lower than a jack based system.

You can override the system and manually level if you choose.

And to repeat what others have said, the HWH air leveling system does NOT work like the HWH hydraulic jack system.

[Executive45]

We have the same system. Verify in your manual but in mine, the proper procedure is as follows: This is MONACO specific so other mfgs may differ.

1. Park the coach as level as possible.
2. Deploy the SLIDES with full air.
3. Push the button twice. Coach will level and shut off. May or may not dump. Mine usually will not.
4. Continue your set up. After about 30 mins the coach will dump the air in the bags and relevel with the aux air compressor. Mines over the rear axle, yours may either be there or up front near the generator. Monaco moved it in later years, don't remember when because of the releveling noise at night.

When leaving, start the coach. When full air, press the travel button. Wait for the coach to completely air up. Turn off coach, pull in your slides and you're ready to go....Dennis

[jorbill2or]

Keep in mind several responses you got are for HD Jacks ..not air leveling , using the airbags only to level the coach. I have HD Jacks( 1 of two systems) also but they are the older safari system that only goes from frame to axle .. nothing touches the ground. The airbags are very stable alone ,unless your doing jumping jacks ! Dropping the coach first I feel they are even more stable as the frame is resting on the axle at least before it levels . I've only used the HD jacks once .. never felt i've need them

Remember the Monaco is slides out first before you level or dump any air

[LongWeekends]

deandec wrote:
We level our rig, then turn off the engine and dump the air. It usually dumps to a level attitude and can be adjusted manually from there. Yes the step is closer to the ground.

No. The Monaco came with hydraulic leveling jacks or the "upgraded" air leveling system. This has the air system, no jacks. Much to my surprise, once level it is rock solid!