Tip Starting the engine before raising the jacks

[skychs]

While I was on the phone with Freightliner the subject of when to raise the jacks came up. We have discussed the sequence of slides to jacks but not engine. They suggested starting the engine before raising the jacks. His explanation ... by starting the engine first ... it fills up the air tanks. With the air tanks filled, when the jacks come up the air bags/suspension will fill up faster. I have started to do that and Im really surprised how much faster it is.

 

[Neal]

The airbags will fill up faster yes, but you're still depleting the air from the tank that has to be refilled so I wonder in the end if it's really a time savings?

For my coach setup which uses Equalizer jacks there is a shuttle valve that does not allow air in the air bags while the jacks are down. I'm not sure if the tanks will fill either, I never tried it. Now that I have HWH Active Air the shuttle valve system is bypassed so I have no way to test. But I remember some unusual situations where for me jacks had to be up to air up. Again, not sure if that means too I can't fill the air tank, I don't think I could.

I'm sure you know Newmar wants you to be on airbags (travel config) when you extend and retract the slides, never on jacks.

 

[skychs]

I'm sure you know Newmar wants you to be on airbags (travel config) when you extend and retract the slides, never on jacks.

Yes I do. I just wished Freightliner was on the same page. Newmar has changed the sequence but Freightliner does not agree. One builds the chassis. One builds the house.

 

[Neal]

I understand Newmar's point of view. They say "think of it as a box in a box" which is your slide (box) moving in and out of the house (box). They don't want any frame twist. The question comes down to whether or not jacks can twist the frame. I believe they can because Equalizer mentions limits they put in place to prevent this. But if you think about where the jack locations are, which are at the same locations as the airbags, is it really possible to twist the frame? I don't know. I just follow the Newmar preferred guidance as my head hurts trying to think about it

 

[MapNerd]

My jacks don’t work if my engine isn’t on. Problem solved!

 

[Scooterfan]

My jacks don’t work if my engine isn’t on. Problem solved

Ditto for me! In addition...I put the slide out AFTER jacks go down and pull it in BEFORE jacks go up...I know, I know ?

 

[bobnjill410]

Our jacks work fine in my DSDP with the key turn on to the left using the batteries. Not necessary to crank the engine. Just sayin.

 

[bobnjill410]

As per tech at Newmar, “ Always put slides out first when arriving and last when leaving.”His reasoning, “movement with least resistance.” Try it, he made a believer out of us.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Wow. For once, a no-brainer to answer. ?

You absolute are best to start the engine while/before raising the jacks. The engine runs the compressor which WILL replenish the tanks at the same time the bags are filling!

You’ll hear the pop-off/dryer valves vent and you know you’re topped off, and “on the bags”.

“On the bags” at “drive height” is the Perry much THE standard recommendation prior to moving slides; whether in...or out.

 

[skychs]

I didn't think the jacks would work with the engine on either. When the tech told me to try it I was shocked. Im still trying to figure it all out. Thanks for all the input.

 

[bobnjill410]

Of course it was assumed that anyone with a “brain” would know that the bags must be filled. Obviously I did not communicate properly. The conversation was concerning the jacks, and that was the assumed the bags would be full. Glad to have made your day for your “No Brainer”.

 

[MapNerd]

Of course it was assumed that anyone with a “brain” would know that the bags must be filled. Obviously I did not communicate properly. The conversation was concerning the jacks, and that was the assumed the bags would be full. Glad to have made your day for your “No Brainer”.

I don’t think he was trying to offend you. Just a common phrase. It’s a no brainer to my wife to load the dishwasher a certain way, which I never have or probably will do. Meanwhile, it’s a no brainer to me to not open a bag of chips like you’re a raccoon, yet this is how my wife does it.

 

[JRW-NAW]

I follow what Newmar techs instructed. Arival: sildes out then jacks down. Departure: air up, jacks up then slides in.

Safe travels.

 

[Neal]

My jacks don’t work if my engine isn’t on. Problem solved!

Do your jacks work in the accessory position? Turn key counter clockwise?

 

[MapNerd]

Do your jacks work in the accessory position? Turn key counter clockwise?

Nope! I have to leave the engine running when I pull into a spot, hook up electric, let the slides out, then drop the jacks, then turn off the engine.

I have tried ACC position several times and I get nothing on the jacks. I assumed Newmar wired it that way to strongly encourage me to be on air when putting the slides out.

 

[FL-JOE]

Not that I have any skin in this game anymore, but with our 2017 4369 we did it like Mapnerd, except I didn't leave the engine running to put slides in and out. Always made sure my air gauges showed good air before coming off jacks though.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Of course it was assumed that anyone with a “brain” would know that the bags must be filled. Obviously I did not communicate properly. The conversation was concerning the jacks, and that was the assumed the bags would be full. Glad to have made your day for your “No Brainer”.

Sir,

You took offense because you thought my reply was to YOU...and it wasn't. You're not the OP, or else I would have QUOTED YOU, to avoid the mistake you just made.

I'm sorry you took offense to my no-brainer comment. Obviously, like @MapNerd said, you're not familiar with a term I've used forever to indicate that something is VERY EASY for me to answer. It had nothing to do with you or your comment, so please relax.

My reply was in line with the OP's question...and therefore is perfectly relevant.

Sorry for your confusion.

BTW, another big reason I failed to mention is that these heavy electric motors, such as for the hydraulic jacks, as well as the slides, demand a LOT from the inverter/batteries. For that reason, Newmar's (and others) common practice is to have the main engine OR the generator running.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Nope! I have to leave the engine running when I pull into a spot, hook up electric, let the slides out, then drop the jacks, then turn off the engine.

I have tried ACC position several times and I get nothing on the jacks. I assumed Newmar wired it that way to strongly encourage me to be on air when putting the slides out.

Yeah, Neal and John...the jacks on my rig were locked out unless the key was in the IGN position (clockwise). Didn't have to have the engine running, but the key had to be in that position.

 

[stang37]

My jacks work with the engine off or running in either ACC or IGN position. However none of my slides will work in either direction with the engine running. It amazing how many different combinations there are for these two systems.

 

[MapNerd]

My jacks work with the engine off or running in either ACC or IGN position. However none of my slides will work in either direction with the engine running. It amazing how many different combinations there are for these two systems.

Standards. Who needs em?