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Way out ride!

Yahoo Message Number: 72083
I am not sure I posted my message correctly so I will repeat myself. Left Barstow this PM and without any indication my ride became very bumpy and I was just all I could do the stay in my seat. I slowed way down but had little effect. I did not hit anything, I heard no noise, but yet just as I left Love's the ride was just out of control. I could not see anything hanging down. Know I wonder if a ride height valve failed. It seems unlikely a shock would break with no sound.

Any ideas before I take the coach in?

Jim Spivey Allure 2006 30430

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72084
Sounds like what happened to me when the ride height valve became disconnected from the sway bar due to one of the sawy bar brackets breaking. This subject has been covered in previous messages. If it is just the bracket holding on to the sawy bar this is an easy fix. If it is the mount that holds on to the bracket (week point for some Allures) then you may have to have a better backing plate welded on for stiffing.
Not sure if your ride is bottoming out or riding with full airbags in the front. You did not say in your message. If riding high, you might beable to look under it to see if the ride height valve arm is not connected to the sway bar any more.
I would not advice what I did but I crawled under the rig with my friend holding my feet incase the ride valve started letting out too much air to quick. I was able to center the valve to somewhere between high and low with some twine and that got me back home. I don't recommend going under the coach though but I had just about had enough of that tough ride. Well actually I had no one telling me not to do this. :) You should beable to see the ride valve and sway bar to see if they are not right by not geeting under the coach if the air bags are fully inflated.
I actually used a broom stick to center the valve before I got under there and then shoved a block under the the frame.

Dallas

2004 intrigue 11688

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72090
Jim,

Sounds familiar. When our front ride height valve failed (while driving) a couple years ago we could hardly stay in the driver and copilot seats. VERY rough ride with no warning. My recollection is that the "front end" red lights illuminated on the HWH control pad.
I managed to use the manual air bag controls (i.e., the HWH control pad) to level the front end, removed a particular fuse from the HWH controller and proceeded to a repair facility - about 200 miles down the road.
Contact HWH for specific information on how to disable the automatic ride height feature on your controller. They should have you back on the road quickly.
--

Tom Harsch 2002 Allure #30791
Rapid City, SD

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72091
Jim:

I had the same issue as described by Dallas caused by the failure of the frame member where the sway bar is attached. This caused the ride height valve to be set in the high position and the rig rode like a buckboard. Don't crawl under the rig!

Dale Ford

04 Intrigue 11713

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72106
We've just returned from HWH with two problems. One the front kitchen slide. Replaced the equalizing, quick release connectors, and all seems well with the slide.
We also had an issue with front ride height. Seems our ride height valve was sticking. So we had almost no front suspension for the last 200+ miles to HWH. (Do you know how many bad bridges there are in Iowa? We do now). HWH is not allowed, by their insurers, to touch ride height valves. HWH organized a local tech to come and replace the valve. My understanding, from the conversations I had, was that in travel mode the ride height valve dictates terms. Once in leveling mode HWH systems dictate terms. ie in travel mode the ride height valve overrides any HWH system.
So in theory I assume one can't level the coach with the HWH system to go down the highway.

Bruce

2001 Intrigue #11278

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72107
Bruce,

That is not quite true. You can manually adjust the coach attitude (only level when on level ground) so it looks about normal and then pull the fuse to the HWH Controler That prevents the HWH from relinquishing control of the air bags to the ride height valves.
I have used this approach to drive many mile with a bad ride height valve.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72108
Mine did the same thing-frame member where the sway bar is attached. Took it to a truck dealer and they were able to order a new one (actually replaced both sides).

-Dennis Holmes
#12055

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72115
Don you're braver than me. I wouldn't pull a fuse. Fuses are there for a reason.
Besides I'm only repeating what HWH told me. I think they would know.

Bruce 2001 Intrigue #11278

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72121
Bruce,

Don is right. You must stop coach, put in neutral and manually level coach, the tech told me to take my hand lay it on top of tire and bring wheel well so it is level with my thumb which is about 5 Inches. Do this for each wheel then pull the 7.5 amp fuse. This will keep it from going into travel mode and is safe to drive to a repair facility. With the fuse pulled no power to system and ride height is out of circuit.

Vick Welsh

99 intrigue 10714

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72122
Vick I wasn't implying Don was wrong. I'm just saying I wouldn't do it. I'm just not competent enough to do that sort of thing. I'll use my cell phone and get help. Yes it may cost more but I would feel more comfortable letting some one who knows what they are doing do it.

Bruce

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72123
Bruce,

I respect your view. But it only takes one bad experience with a tow company to change your mind! I speak from experience!

Vick Welsh

99 intrigue 10714
 

Re: Way out ride!

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72124
As a general rule, the danger is tampering with fuses is bypassing them with a wire or other conductive material, so they cannot protect from an over voltage/amperage situation.
Removing a fuse acts just like turning off a switch. In this case, there is no switch handy, so to shut off the automatic leveling circuit, removing the fuse is like turning that part of the circuit off with a switch. Perfectly safe, as long as you realize the automatic leveling mechanism cannot automatically keep the coach in a proper attitude, so you need to keep an eye on that and do it manually.

That is my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;*)
On the other hand, if you are not comfortable with fuses and the like, probably the most conservative approach is to leave it to engineering wonks like me. We are everywhere and willing to help.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527, KA5IFU