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Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Yahoo Message Number: 76040
I've been hearing conflicting information, which I'd really appreciate bouncing against the wisdom of the members here.
Specifically, it's about the sequence of putting out the slides. The dealer said you leave the coach in travel mode, must have engine running, extend the slides, then level coach. Another dealer is the polar opposite - level the coach first, then extend the slides, and you don't need the engine running.

Would love any insight, as the last thing I want is a problem I could have prevented.

Thanks in advance!

Mark (future Magna Owner)

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76043
Mark,

The instructions I have for deploying the slides are as follows:

1) Leave engine running--to insure you have adequate voltage
2) Leave a door or window open to allow for pressure differential
3) Level coach
4) Deploy slides

Fred Compton

2002 Intrigue #11407 (2 slides)

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76046
Mark Some of what you ask is logic. First, since the hydraulic pump , or the electric draw, if the slide is electric motor operated, is reasonably large , it, therefor makes sense, to have the engine running so that the batteries are being charged, while in the slide operating mode. With respect to leveling, operating the slides, make no sense, if the coach is quite a bit out of level, especially if the coach is torqued . If you can't get level, there is no reason to have the slides out, anyway. The CC chassis is quite sturdy and stiff compared to any Monaco product. On my Dynasty , and I believe all Monaco products, the slide goes over top of the side walls, versus the CC where the slide is a flush fit. In order to have the slides , flush fit, the chassis has to be much stiffer. Therefore, the torque of an uneven site, ( both L to R and front to back ) if, enough torque could change the flush fit, and therefor , it makes sense to level first. Monaco insists , on leveling first, before operating the slides, because the chassis flexes much more. In my own case, I always operate the slides and level before shutting down the motor. If I am very near level, when I park, I don't worry about which to do first. If I am somewhat torqued, I level and then operate the slides. I will open the slides in an X pattern , so as to keep the coach weight , more or less, evenly stressed. You will get many points of view on this , and this is just my logic of it all.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76047
Heard this from an old timer..

Level first so that the coach is square and has no 'frame/body' torque.
Then extend the slides... if the now extended slides results in a change to the leveling.. .. fine tune the leveling.
Sure made sense to me.
Russ

2005 Intrigue
11883

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76049
Fred & Mark:

The instructions you have in this reply is the CORRECT procedure.

Kevin Waite (Former Country Coach Service Tech.) K&M Mobile R.V. Repair LLC
95430 Noraton Rd.

Junction City, OR. 97448
541-953-6162 (Cell)

kvn.wt.7629@...

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76050
I agree with Russ.

Engine running, Open window, Level cosch, Extend slides, Relevel manually if necessary.

These are the instruction in my CC information binder.

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

(I have electric slides )

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76076
This subject comes up every couple of weeks on one forum or another. There are usually two sides, level first, then slides out or slides out then level. Makes one wonder doesn't it? Personally, I don't think it makes a nickels worth of difference if your coach is sitting on a relatively level surface. As long as your coach frame is square with the chassis, there will be no binding whether your level or not. So, IMO, when you are square, air bags empty, sitting on the frame, extend the slides then level. This assures you want have a re-level issue.
You are structurally sound when the slides are in or completely out. There are no "torquing" issues in these two situations. An out-of-square body condition only comes into play when you are extending the slides. A lot of factors come into play when considering the slide/level procedure depending on manual or auto level and using jacks or bags. You must remember and consider, jacks are deployed from the chassis to ground therefore you level the frame and chassis, whereas bags are connected between the frame and chassis and only level the frame.
I don't know why it is important to consider whether the engine is running or not. Battery depletion, when the engine is not running, is miniscule.

Jim E

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76077
Hi Jim E,

I would like to respectfully disagree on a couple of points.
If the coach isn't level, left to right, when moving the slides out there is the possibility of adding significant load to the uphill slide and hardware when trying not only to move the slide out but also uphill. This could easily cause broken shear bolts and also add much more mechanical stress on the mechanisms.
On the subject of leaving the engine running or not. I totally agree regarding the battery depletion. But my concern is the voltage level at the motor operating the slide, whether mechanical or hydraulic. With the engine running the voltage at the operating motor will be considerably higher than if the engine is not running. This will, over time, increase the longevity of the motor and reduce the possibility of blown fuses. Those of us that have spent our life working with electricity understand that when you lower the voltage you raise the amperage which will also in return increase the heat generated in the motor itself. This added heat will reduce it's useful life over the long term.

Just my 2 cents worth. Respectfully,

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76078
I believe you should level first. For those who have electric slides it would place a lot less stress on the slide mechanisms and just might curtail the snapping of sheer bolts. I have hydraulic rams and have had to extend my bedroom slide a few times when the coach was out of level due to the limited capabilities of the air bags. You can hear the extra stress being placed on the system, see the slower pace of the room and hear the hydraulic pump pulling all those extra amps. Some of the grinding noises with an occasional pop and click aren't comforting either. Because I want to be considerate to the folks near me as I camp, I shut the engine off as soon as possible, Plug-in, then level and finally extend the slides. I then get out my 3 foot level and do the final touch up on leveling followed by turning the system off. My better half can't sleep when the system is trying to re-level. There are a few parks we stay at that are located on river valley soil that soft, no matter how much gravel they hall in. So re leveling every morning for the first week is just another "honey do" I don't mind executing.
For those of us with air bags another connected issue is leveling the coach for ese of entry and yet preventing side to side rocking when the air bags and tire pressures are to low. Yet another reason for keeping your tires inflated to the posted placard.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76105
Quote from: barneym55"
Hi Jim E,

I would like to respectfully disagree on a couple of points.
> If the coach isn't level, left to right, when moving the slides out there is the possibility of adding significant load to the uphill slide and hardware when trying not only to move the slide out but also uphill. This could easily cause broken shear bolts and also add much more mechanical stress on the mechanisms.
> On the subject of leaving the engine running or not. I totally agree regarding the battery depletion. But my concern is the voltage level at the motor operating the slide, whether mechanical or hydraulic. With the engine running the voltage at the operating motor will be considerably higher than if the engine is not running. This will, over time, increase the longevity of the motor and reduce the possibility of blown fuses. Those of us that have spent our life working with electricity understand that when you lower the voltage you raise the amperage which will also in return increase the heat generated in the motor itself. This added heat will reduce it's useful life over the long term.

Just my 2 cents worth. Respectfully, >

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Barney,

Your comment about leveling "up hill" is probably true. However, most of us don't park on a hill side. I have never been in an RV park that the parking spaces are so slanted that this would be of any concern.
Correct me if i'm wrong but I believe we are talking bout DC motors. Ohm says I=E/R. So why does the current (I) increase when voltage (E) decreases and R remains constant? The higher the voltage, the faster the motor turns and vice-versa, the lower the voltage the slower the motor turns, other wise, how do you vary the speed of a DC motor?
Additional, IMO, the voltage drop from a fully charged battery bank will not drop, significantly, when extending slides. If it drops some, all it will do is slow down the slide motor.

Jim E

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76107
Quote from: thomas w insall jr

> I believe you should level first. For those who have electric slides it would place a lot less stress on the slide mechanisms and just might curtail the snapping of sheer bolts. I have hydraulic rams and have had to extend my bedroom slide a few times when the coach was out of level due to the limited capabilities of the air bags. You can hear the extra stress being placed on the system, see the slower pace of the room and hear the hydraulic pump pulling all those extra amps. Some of the grinding noises with an occasional pop and click aren't comforting either. Because I want to be considerate to the folks near me as I camp, I shut the engine off as soon as possible, Plug-in, then level and finally extend the slides. I then get out my 3 foot level and do the final touch up on leveling followed by turning the system off. My better half can't sleep when the system is trying to re-level. There are a few parks we stay at that are located on river valley soil that soft, no matter how much gravel they hall in. So re leveling every morning for the first week is just another "honey do" I don't mind executing.
Just out of curiosity, where do you place your 3 foot level, on the floor, on the counter top, in the refrigerator, on the bed? IMO, there is not an RV built that is square everywhere.

Jim E

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76110
I started out by placing the level directly in front of the refer on the 98 Allure and found I could get the same result by placing the level up front. It used the glass vile with mercury and contacts. When I purchased the Intrigue it always leveled left front low, so I had the coach re-calibrated at CC by the techs and the next year by a HWH tech at a FMCA rally. Well it still levels a bit low to the left, but not to the front. So I still use the level. Here again I started in front of the refer, but now after many checks and double checks use the surface up front near the passenger and pilot seats. I have no idea what this coach uses as a sensor.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Slide Extentions - Before or after leveling?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76117
Quote from: thomas w insall jr

> I started out by placing the level directly in front of the refer on the 98 Allure and found I could get the same result by placing the level up front. It used the glass vile with mercury and contacts. When I purchased the Intrigue it always leveled left front low, so I had the coach re-calibrated at CC by the techs and the next year by a HWH tech at a FMCA rally. Well it still levels a bit low to the left, but not to the front. So I still use the level. Here again I started in front of the refer, but now after many checks and double checks use the surface up front near the passenger and pilot seats. I have no idea what this coach uses as a sensor.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
OK, I understand now. I didn't realize the coach leveling system did not level properly.

Jim E