Yahoo Message Number: 88973 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/88973)
We just got back from a wonderful 3 week family trip which included Mt Rushmore, Noah's Ark Waterpark in The Dells Wisconsin, Chicago, Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky Ohio (Roller coaster HEAVEN!) Detroit, Niagara Falls, Ohio Amish country and Splashin Safari Water Park in Santa Claus Indiana.
Everything on the coach worked very well but I did encounter an issue with the ride height on the last day about 400 miles from home. We were on I-70 westbound and had just passed the Colorado border into Utah. There was construction on the freeway (where isn't there construction these days???) and the road was pretty rough. As I pulled off in Green River Utah to fuel up, I noticed the ride was still very rough and harsh on regular roads. As I fueled up I noticed the coach seemed to be sitting very high, even though the green travel light was lit on the HWH panel. After fueling I did a full air dump and allowed it to return to travel mode, but it returned to full height again with a very rough ride. Both front and back airbags were at full height.
I used the leftside HWH reset rocker switch, but nothing changed (I'm not sure if this HWH reset is for the leveling or the slides) I ended up dumping and then manually raising the front and back to a midway point using a tape measure for reference. I then pulled the HWH fuse located in the outside bay under the drivers seat. This did disable the HWH panel and we proceeded home. Once home I put the fuse back in and the coach immediately raised up to full height again.
So I clearly have an issue somewhere in the HWH system. Is there something I can try before I reach out to HWH? Is there a central sensor that has gone bad? I'm wondering if something broke over the very rough roads just prior to the ride height going full high.
I am also not 100% sure which model HWH I have. The equipment list inside the bathroom vanity door doesn't identify it. The control panel on the dashboard looks like this - HWH Panel - 2006 Allure 430 (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/36973/forums/HWHPanel-2006-Allure-430.jpg) From the HWH site it looks like it might be a ML23574 - http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml23574.pdf (http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml23574.pdf) Any thoughts or info appreciated!
Dan
2006 Allure with tag
#31344
Yahoo Message Number: 88976 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/88976)
We just went thru this last month with our coach. Felt like a wooden wheel wagon it was soo stiff on the front end. For us, it was our front level sensor. Needed to have it replaced, and all is good as new...
I'm still researching and doing the cost analysis of adding HWH Active Air system to our rig. Will make a decision later this year. (We 'believe' we will keep this rig for a 10-12 year window, so that just about $10K expense spread out over those years of usage. And interior 're-do' and a few other mod's is quite a bit less then a new rig!).
However if we decide to pull this back to just a few more years before buying a newer rig, I will get a few spare level sensors to carry with us.
Best of luck on your problem solving. You might be lucky and just have a stuck arm, or an arm that came loose.
Please be extra SAFE if you get down to check things out - these coaches do get low!!!
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 88977 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/88977)
You are talking about an electronic ride level sensor, not the front and back ride height valves that we adjust...correct? Where is this located? I'll search my schematics and see what I can find. I know I have several of the HWH control panels (the ones with the clear plexiglass face and circuit board inside.
Good reminder on being careful underneath. I always put mine on blocks (several railroad ties together) and dump prior to getting under it.
Thanks!
Dan
2006 Allure with tag
#31344
Yahoo Message Number: 88979 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/88979)
Yes, I worded that poorly - again! - it was the front ride height valve that was bad on ours. I have heard of them 'shaking loose' on other coaches on rough roads. Where the valve is still good, but it has lost it's settings due to arms loosening. Hope it is something that simple. It might have been Don Seager that told me about these things getting shook loose, he was very kind to this new/old Allure owner, sharing his school of hard knocks with his coach. Suspect he is sitting on his mountain as I type, enjoying things as they come along.
I think all of us do a good job of watching each other's backs on the safety front. Never, ever get tired of cautions when it comes to safety.
Best to all,
Smitty
Yahoo Message Number: 90199 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/90199)
I finally had time to get to the bottom of the ride height issue we had on our last trip. I did some inspections underneath and discovered that I have a broken sway bar bracket! The broken bracket let the sway bar move such that it radically changed the ride height adjustment and put it to full height.
Here is a pic: Broken sway bar bracket (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/36973/forums/Photo%20Jul%2001%2C%209%2039%2015%20PM.jpg)
It looks like the mount for the ride height is also bent and damaged (but not broken) so I think I can repair that.
I searched on the forums and it seems that several coaches have had this issue. I also saw some references to a heavy duty bracket, possibly custom made. Am I best to have something fabricated locally or just order the replacement parts from Holland/Neway?
I will replace the bracket on the other side as well as both bushings. I assume I can do this by taking them off one at a time? Is there tension or pressure on this bar?
I imagine that it is also best to have the coach alignment checked when done, correct? (after readjusting the ride height...)
Thanks for any info!
Dan
2006 Allure 430 with tag
#31344
Yahoo Message Number: 90200 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/90200)
We also had the same bracket break on one side. We had 2 more heavy-duty ones fabricated at Tampa Spring Company in Tampa Florida. They do heavy duty truck and trailer suspension repair and parts. They do all our suspension work including alignment. They have locations in Ocala, Lakeland and Bradenton FL as well. When we took our coach to them, they attempted to order the brackets but got no response. Not sure where they tried to order them from. They manufactured them for a very reasonable price and installed them. I'm sure it was much cheaper than it would have been to order them and pay shipping. They also replaced our shocks and bushings. Excellent work and reasonable labor prices.
Lonny & Diane
Tampa, FL
'04 Allure #31065
Yahoo Message Number: 90201 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/90201)
Yes, I had a similar failure on my 05 Inspire a couple of years ago and had a repacement set of brackets sent and installed. Sometime later it was cracked again and I had "Torklift Central" in Kent, Wa. (a RV/Towing welding shop) build a reinforced set of brackets and reinforce the upper plate as well.
John
08 Intrigue
10 Ford Escape
Yahoo Message Number: 90207 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/90207)
Had the same experience last year; ordered the part through a chassis company while on the road; they said last one in the country! Had much difficulty in receiving from Holland Neway. We lost the bushing, so ordered the part. If doing again, I would have some heavier brackets made.
Roger Harper
2006 Intrigue
#11990
Yahoo Message Number: 90209 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/90209)
Dan, the sway bar bracket on the 2004 Allure I used to own broke in the same fashion. The ride height valve was not damaged. I had a local shop remove, weld a repair and replace the bracket. I did not have to reset ride height but it sounds like you will have to take that step.
Good luck
George in Birmingham(currently in Santa Fe) '03 Magna 6298
Yahoo Message Number: 90211 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/90211)
I had my curb side sway bar mounting bracket break last year while going to Arkansas.
I had the broken bracket welded when I got to Hot Springs for my return home trip.
After I got home I ordered new brackets and mounting bushings from Kevin Waite.
He got them to me quickly and at a reasonable price.
I suggest you contact Kevin Waite.
RJ
2005 Inspire
#51264