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Topic: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height (Read 876 times) previous topic - next topic
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Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Yahoo Message Number: 102215
2002 Intrigue 36-foot. Our ride lately has been very unsatisfactory as we feel every bump in the road and get severely jarred on rough road surfaces, potholes, dips and other pavement discontinuities. We assumed it was poor shock performance and were going to change the shocks again. When our shocks wore out some years ago we switched from the original Konis to RoadKings. That seemed OK in the rear but the front was harsh and bouncy. RoadKing reworked the front shocks twice but we were never happy with the ride. We finally went back to Konis in the front (SP3 adjustables set at medium-high as recommended by Country Coach). Better, but still not the ride we remembered from when the coach was new.
 Recently we had what appears to be a right-rear ride height valve failure evidenced by rubbing occurring between the right outside dual and the fender well. Until we can get the ride height valve replaced I disabled the Travel Mode by removing the fuse in the dash compartment forward of the passenger seat and setting the ride height manually by parking on a level surface and adjusting the airbags manually with the HWH leveling buttons. Surprise! Surprise! Our ride with the Travel Mode disabled is now quite good so maybe the shocks were not a contributing factor.
 So by disabling the Travel Mode, what else did I disable beside the ride height valves that could have been contributing to such a poor ride up front where we felt ever bump in the road? What other components are there in the Travel Mode system beside the ride height valves that should be checked and or replaced?
 We're currently in Cornerbrook Newfoundland and are looking for a recommendation for a knowledgeable chassis/suspension shop somewhere along our future route that will take us from here through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, Massachusetts, northern New York, Illinois, etc. I'm sure we could find some place highly recommended in Elkhart Indiana but hopefully there is a strong recommendation for someplace long before there.

Steve (2002 Intrigue 36-foot 11382)

Re: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102217
I have a 97 Intrigue and we have had an issue with achieving the correct ride level on the front driver side as well. We replaced the ride hieght valve and saw no improvment. I too removed the fuse in the front dash and manually set the level going on a year and a half now with well over 8,000 miles with no issues.....so far. Rides perfectly just takes some time measuring before taking it out.

Re: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102220
Jesse,

If you have the normal CC setup (a few don't) you have one ride height valve in the front and two in the back. If you are having a problem with the side to side ride height in the front, one of your rear valves is probably your problem (unless something is bent). I recommend you have it adjusted and/or replaced. The coach will drive better when everything is working as it should be. The ride height valves do more then just adjust the ride height. They also help stabilize the coach when making turns.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102228
Thanks Barney, I never thought about one of the rear two being bad, only the front.

Re: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102243
I'm still hopeful that someone in this wonderful group can tell me what else is in the "travel mode" circuit besides the 3 ride height valves. Is there some kind of a controller in that system or do the ride height valves act independently?
 Also ... I'm looking for recommendations as to what kind of shop I can find where I can get ride height valves replaced, ride height adjusted, shocks tested, or anything else that would contribute to a rough ride. Will any chassis shop do ... like Freightliner? Looking for recommendations ... we'll be traveling through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, Massachusetts, northern New York, Illinois, Indiana, and points west.

Thanks, Steve 2002 Intrigue 36-foot #11382

Re: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102255
In Elkhart Indiana is this company that gets great reviews on www.rvservicereviews.com

Stuart's Service

28871 County Road 6 West
Elkhart, IN 46514
574-262-0225

they specialize in HWH Leveling systems.  Not sure about shocks but I would start with them. They would know where to get shocks in Elkart.  There is a heavy duty suspension place in Elkhart called PBS Truck Parts.  They do all types of suspension.

Also you can go to the HWH Factory in Moscow IA. I would call them for an appointment as they are booked up far in advance during the summer. They have electric hookups on site and you can stay in your coach while they service the HWH system. We were very pleased with the service we got there.  There are at least 5 valves that can go bad or stick and cause intermittent leveling issues. We have now replaced all of them. I think we had 5.  HWH will also upgrade the control box or rebuild yours if it needs it.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Travel Mode, Shocks, and Ride Height

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102256
Steve,

The ride height valves are strictly a mechanical device. No electronics involved. The HWH system will close off the output of the ride height valves when it is in leveling mode so they can do nothing while this is happening. When in travel mode the ride height valves are once again connected to the air bags and then they do their thing. All this is done by the HWH valve blocks, one in the front and one in the back of the coach. The HWH controller controls this.

As far as a rough ride, this seems to be open to individual interpretation. A rough ride to one person may not be rough to another. If your ride height is too low, especially in the front, bottoming out can occur which can rattle your teeth at times. Been there done that. Worn shocks can cause the same problem.

Checking the ride height is easy and free if you don't mind climbing under the coach and have the correct info for your model and year of coach. Here's a link than may answer your questions:

http://www.jdrv1.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/rideheight.pdf

The ride height specs are at the bottom. It's a large file but has lot's of good info.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059