Larry Sue Elniff
Topeka,Ks
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Do you let the air out of air bags before putting down jacks or visa-versa. Same question when prepairing to leave. Air or jacks first?
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aihchris107
Lake Katrine, NY
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Joined: 02/02/2012
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I let the air out of the bags first. Should be below 60 psi than proceed with jacks. When leaving I start my rig and retract jacks as unit pumps up.
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Cbones
New York
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Always dump air and then put jacks down. Coach will be easier (lower) when leveled to get in and out. It also allows for more travel on the jacks to be able to level properly. When getting ready to leave retract jacks first, and then air up suspension. NEVER air up suspension with jacks extended as it puts a heavy strain on the jacks as the coach will tend to creep as it airs up.
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Larry Sue Elniff
Topeka,Ks
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Thank you very much. That's what we have been doing, but started to question ourselves?
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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I also dump air first. I have tried it the other way around but when I drop the jacks and level the coach the ride height valves sense the increase in height and selectively dumps air in an attempt to bring that corner down. No problem there but when I retract the jacks that corner/side drops until the bag(s) are re-inflated.
Also, I like being lower to the ground when parked.
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
1997 Jeep GC Limited ---toad
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited TRD (Retired)
2009 Cougar 268 RLS ~8700 lbs road wt (Retrired)
2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
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peaches&cream
Northwest Georgia
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Cbones wrote:Always dump air and then put jacks down. Coach will be easier (lower) when leveled to get in and out. It also allows for more travel on the jacks to be able to level properly. When getting ready to leave retract jacks first, and then air up suspension. NEVER air up suspension with jacks extended as it puts a heavy strain on the jacks as the coach will tend to creep as it airs up.
I disagree about retracting jacks before airbags are full. My MH has never creeped as it is aired up. I leave the brakes on until I am ready to move. If it creeps, you must have worn brake pucks letting it move.
2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassdor, 36PRT, 330 Cummings
Toad 1995 Miata
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azpete
paulden
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hate to say it, peachs, but the coach will creep anyway. you may not hear it, but it does happen. go outside and watch. when the jacks go down, the rear end housing tilts up slightly. just the nature of the beast. when the chassis is aired up, or the jacks are retracted, weight is taken off the jacks, and the rear end tilts down to its original position. as the weight is reduced, it causes a little creep.
you may hear a slight noise, which is the jacks sliding on the surface. doesnt do any harm.
its louder on pavement as opposed to grass.
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peaches&cream
Northwest Georgia
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azpete wrote:hate to say it, peachs, but the coach will creep anyway. you may not hear it, but it does happen. go outside and watch. when the jacks go down, the rear end housing tilts up slightly. just the nature of the beast. when the chassis is aired up, or the jacks are retracted, weight is taken off the jacks, and the rear end tilts down to its original position. as the weight is reduced, it causes a little creep.
you may hear a slight noise, which is the jacks sliding on the surface. doesnt do any harm.
its louder on pavement as opposed to grass.
Guess I need to re-access my sequence of retracting my jacks. I have never noticed any movement or heard any noise when waiting til it is aired before retraction. I have never parked on a hill or extremely unlevel pad. Will pay more attention.
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Cbones
New York
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peaches&cream wrote:Cbones wrote:Always dump air and then put jacks down. Coach will be easier (lower) when leveled to get in and out. It also allows for more travel on the jacks to be able to level properly. When getting ready to leave retract jacks first, and then air up suspension. NEVER air up suspension with jacks extended as it puts a heavy strain on the jacks as the coach will tend to creep as it airs up.
I disagree about retracting jacks before airbags are full. My MH has never creeped as it is aired up. I leave the brakes on until I am ready to move. If it creeps, you must have worn brake pucks letting it move.
Peaches,
The creep is just the dynamics of the suspension. I don't mean that the coach moves due to rotation of the tires, but rather due to the travel of the suspension. Next time you air up, stand outside and watch the motion you will see the creep. That little bit puts a tremendous strain on the jacks, and you will actually see the jacks will skip a little on the ground if you air up with the jacks down. Those cylinders are real expensive to replace if they get bent at all.
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Rich D.
New England
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For all "straight down" jacks: Dump suspension, extend jacks. Fill suspension, raise jacks. If you try to raise the jacks before filling suspension you will put the coach weight on the jacks while opening the return valves for the hydraulic fluid return to the reservoir. This extreme pressure should be avoided to maintain the valves working order. Raising the suspension first usually lifts the jacks off the ground. Now when you retract, just the spring pressure forces the fluid back to the reservoir not the weight of the coach.
Rich D. Wanderlodge M450 LXi
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