Leveling Concerns

[GCAT9110]

I have a 2015 Seneca 37TS Freightliner M2-106. Occasionally when leveling on a sloping surface the leveling jacks will lift one of the rear wheels slightly off the ground seeking level. My concern is when this happens the rear suspension air bags are max extended. I cant find any info stating does and donts regarding over extending the air bags. When this does happen and I retract the jacks the suspension seems to recover just fine.

[Camper_bob]

I'm not certain on the Seneca, but I would avoid letting the rear wheels get off the ground because they are the ones held by the parking brake and the transmission.

You don't really want any tires off the ground, but you ESPECIALLY don't want the rears off the ground.

[RVermont]

The main issue with lifting the rear tires off the ground is loss of tire ground contact. The rest tires are the only brakes to stop the unit from moving. The air bag should be fine. No different then changing a tire.


Normally if I am pulling into a site with a slope I will try to park down hill.
I carry a few assortments of planks and made up a couple 1.5 thick 2ftx3ft plywood panels that fit on the bottom of my fresh water tank bay. I use these under any tire that is going to be lifted off the ground.

If you are finding the front tires coming off the ground you can manually lift the rear end until you hear air releasing from the air bags. Then lower the unit and auto level. Lifting the rear end slightly will trick the system into dumping the air and when you lower it it will sit on empty bags.

An option is to install air bag dump valves. That one modification took my leveling set up time from 15-20minutes to less then 5.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by GCAT9110

I have a 2015 Seneca 37TS Freightliner M2-106. Occasionally when leveling on a sloping surface the leveling jacks will lift one of the rear wheels slightly off the ground seeking level.

Some people carry "Lego blocks", and get the rig close to level by driving up on them, then they use the onboard levelers to make the final, minor adjustment.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Some people carry "Lego blocks", and get the rig close to level by driving up on them, then they use the onboard levelers to make the final, minor adjustment.

That's what the Owner's Manual says to do....

Before operating the leveling system the motor home:
Must be parked on a reasonably level surface.
Must have the parking brake engaged.
Must have the transmission gear selector in NEUTRAL.
Engine should not be running.

[SloPoke]

We are constantly camping in places that are Awesome.. but the best places are never level.

As Rvermont stated above - it is a guiding principal for us to keep our rear wheels on the ground, even if we have to stack blocks under our front Jacks to get enough lift to be level. We use the old fashioned method of dumping our air-bags, once the air tanks are purged, then we only need to raise the rear enough to purge the bags and that helps a lot when on the sloped campsite.

One thing I will have to mention... Sturdy blocks that are capable of the weight of your Seneca is a critical component when you are supporting your tires or Jacks. The plastic lego blocks that some places sell just don't cut it with 18,000# of one axle on them. They Crush without any warning, and never let someone tell you that they can work under your Jacks... or you might find yours looking like this after they fail!

[MD3]

I use the LEGO style blocks. Never have any tires off the ground.

And I’ve also had the lever foot fold and sink on me. This was with a SnapPad on it.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

The plastic lego blocks that some places sell just don't cut it with 18,000# of one axle on them. They Crush without any warning, and never let someone tell you that they can work under your Jacks... or you might find yours looking like this after they fail!

Maybe you should try a set of these:

....."Lynx Levelers are a set of interlocking plastic blocks that not only configure to fit any leveling function, but also withstand tremendous weight. The Leveler 10 Pack comes with a nylon storage case and a 10 year warranty.

The levelers can also be used as a support base for other stabilizing equipment. Use under single and dual wheels, under tandem axles and under jacks.

Lynx Levelers Weight Limit: 40,000 lbs"

https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/...velers_94-3074

[Mike-NM]

Jayco Precept manual states the following:
4-9
Before operating the system
The hydraulic leveling jack system should only be operated under the following
conditions:
1. Park the motor home on reasonably solid surface or jacks may sink into the
ground. On extremely soft surfaces use load distribution pads under each
leveling jack.
2. Check that potential jack contact locations are clear of obstructions or
depressions.
3. Keep people clear of the motor home prior to turning the leveling system ON
and while the leveling system is in operation.
4. Engage the parking brake.
5. Make sure the transmission gear selector is engaged in NEUTRAL or PARK.
 NOTE: The engine must be running for the leveling system to operate.
The following label should be kept permanently affixed by the leveling jack control
panel located in the command center:
Fig. 4.1 Leveling jack label
CAUTION
Before operating the hydraulic leveling system:
 Check that potential jack contact locations are clear of obstructions or
depressions.
 Keep people clear of the motor home prior to turning the leveling system
ON and while the leveling system is in operation.

CAUTION
Never lift the wheels off the ground when leveling the motor home.

[RVermont]

On 2018 m2 Senecas the leveling system will only retract and will not deploy with the engine on.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by MD3

I use the LEGO style blocks. Never have any tires off the ground.

And I’ve also had the lever foot fold and sink on me. This was with a SnapPad on it.

How did you fix yours?

I see they sell replacements, but I would rather find a way to bend them back.

[jeffro01]

Yeah I'd never use a lego block on a jack pad without the cap as I could easily see them looking like one of the pics...

Jeff

[Berjr]

We are always on un-level ground and gotten into pre-leveling and ramping our rig prior to leveling. My rule of thumb is 3 blocks under wheel, add 3 blocks under the leveler jack as well because the jacks wont extend far enough.

No lego blocks for us i use chunks of 2x10 and always put a pad under the jack if possible even on asphalt

[Fishman417]

We are putting snap pads on our jack pad and I also use the 2x10 for the wheels to help level the rig out before starting the leveling system.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by RVermont

On 2018 m2 Senecas the leveling system will only retract and will not deploy with the engine on.

Same for my 2017 Greyhawk.

[MD3]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

How did you fix yours?

I see they sell replacements, but I would rather find a way to bend them back.

I pulled the snap pad off and the foot is held on by a bolt from the bottom. I used an impact driver to get the bolt off as a wrench spines the entire shaft. I then put the bent foot upside down in my shop press (20 ton Harbor Freight). Bent it back flat and I then touched up some of the welds that had cracked on the foot center.
Reinstalled foot with impact driver and put snap pad back on.

If it bends again I’ll buy a new one but I’m going to give this one a try.

-

[GaryNK]

I carry 6- 2x12x17 depending on initial look at the level and ground surface, I deploy, usually one block under each jack but occasionally none or two under one here or there. Works so far.

[jeffro01]

I noticed on my Seneca over the long trip I just got home from that the front two levelers come down at the same speed but the rear two do not. Is this a problem? Does the system compensate for that when it's calculating it's leveling? I ask because sometimes I feel like the coach is "low" over that jack but I'm never sure if it's just my mind playing tricks on me...

Thanks,
Jeff

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by jeffro01

I noticed on my Seneca over the long trip I just got home from that the front two levelers come down at the same speed but the rear two do not. Is this a problem? Does the system compensate for that when it's calculating it's leveling? I ask because sometimes I feel like the coach is "low" over that jack but I'm never sure if it's just my mind playing tricks on me...

Thanks,
Jeff

We have Equalizer Systems jacks... When we hit the auto level button... the process starts with all 4 jacks coming down at the same time... about 4-5 inches of travel and then it stops. Next the front driver comes down until it lands on the ground - followed by the front passenger, rear passenger and then rear driver.

Once they all have landed on the ground, the rear air bags are bleeding excess air as the suspension has raised above the "ride height setting" and they will bleed air for 2-3 minutes while the Jacks start to level the Seneca.

The leveling works in pairs... Two front, Two Drivers, Two passenger or Two Rear. They proceed to raise the jacks until the rig is level (or exceeds the travel of one of the jacks - and throws the "excessive slope" warning light)

I can't say that there is any deviation to this ... and the first cycle is where all 4 jacks come down at the same rate/distance.

[jeffro01]

So do I but ours work different... My front two come all the way down to the point where it generates enough pressure, then my rear two come down (at different speeds hence the question), then the final leveling is done. FWIW...

Thanks,
Jeff