Tip Starting the engine before raising the jacks

[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?

 

[Neal]

@MapNerd I think you'd get cool points if you started extending the jacks when pulling into your site. Jus'sayin...

 

[ARD]

They suggested starting the engine before raising the jacks.

Spartan also recommends this and it has helped me a great deal along my travels. Sometimes when sitting a bit, the secondary sit tank can get real low and so if you lift jacks first, you may have issues airing up. By leaving jacks down, you give the secondary air tank time to fill. The alarm is annoying, but it does make a difference.

 

[ARD]

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.

FL is not in conflict with Newmar. You leave jacks down to give the secondary air tank time to build up pressure, then when airs up, raise jacks. You will lose some air so let it build again. Turn off motor and bring slides in.

 

[skychs]

FL is not in conflict with Newmar. You leave jacks down to give the secondary air tank time to build up pressure, then when airs up, raise jacks. You will lose some air so let it build again. Turn off motor and bring slides in.

The conflict that I was referring to was the sequence for jacks then slides vs slides then jacks. FL still recommends jacks first. Since my last conversation with FL I have been starting the engine with the jacks down to build up the pressure. I was in the coach again this weekend and it worked like a charm.

 

[Neal]

Good discussion that all can learn from. Thanks for sharing.

 

[stang37]

I guess I'm confused as to why FL would have input to jack use. When I toured the FL factory I didn't see any jacks installed on any FL chassis. My understanding is Newmar installs the HWH system and jacks on the chassis. HWH will tell you Newmar put the jacks on if you go to them. HWH works on their components, they will not modify the system as installed by Newmar. I state this based on a traveling partner having issues with his coach height after leveling and him going to HWH faculty, questioning HWH on system operation and jack placement. I could be wrong but confident I didn't see jacks on FL chassis at the factory.

 

[ARD]

The conflict that I was referring to was the sequence for jacks then slides vs slides then jacks. FL still recommends jacks first. Since my last conversation with FL I have been starting the engine with the jacks down to build up the pressure. I was in the coach again this weekend and it worked like a charm.

Ah gotcha. Well, I like to air up with jacks down, but I'm not bringing my slides in til I'm aired up like Newmar taught me at CPU.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Yikes.

Not sure if any of you are getting confused or what, but...

The jacks are HYDRAULIC and have nothing to do with air.

The primary reason to start the engine while using jacks or slides is because of the current drain the hydraulic pump motors place on the batteries.

It seems some of you are mixing the two systems. The reason of running the engine to inflate the airbags is simply because the air compressor runs off the engine and will replenish the tanks faster after the airbags use the air to refill themselves to get back to ride height.

 

[skychs]

Yes it's all very confusing. It's good to know WHO installs the HWH. I did not know that.

So .... when ready to leave the campground. 1.start engine (if possible) to fill air tanks. 2. raise the jacks (HWH). 3. wait for the coach to rise (full airbags). 4. bring in the slides. 5. disconnect shore power. Live happily ever after. I got it.

 

[ARD]

It seems some of you are mixing the two systems. The reason of running the engine to inflate the airbags is simply because the air compressor runs off the engine and will replenish the tanks faster after the airbags use the air to refill themselves to get back to ride height.

Well, I used to have problems airing up. The gauges would say I had the correct pressure, but when I did a visual check, I was not aired up. Spartan maintains that by leaving the jacks down while airing up, it helps the secondary air tank fill especially if you have been sitting for a bit. I don't know all the mechanics, but Spartan does instruct people to air up with jacks down and I can verify that it has eliminated my airing up issues.

EDIT: At the beginning when I was having issues with airing up, Spartan would also instruct me to cycle through the jacks. I don't really get the connection, but evidently there is one. I know that when I raise my jacks while my engine is running, I watch the gauges and can feel the air pressure decrease in both tanks. But I am curious now why there is a connection. Will call Spartan to inquire and post response.