Auto Level in Neutral?

[suzhou]

I've been leveling our 36C since purchased a few weeks ago and have been leaving it in Park with the emergency brake set. Read here and checked the manual that it needs to be in Neutral. Guess I should have read more closely rather than assume I knew. Hoping I haven't caused any issues or damaged anything.

Question - Why Neutral? it seems counter to what I would assume to have it in Neutral. I get that the emergency brake is set but why would the engine need to be in Neutral? I've had previous trailers try to roll prior to leveling if I forgot to chock the wheels, which I've done - once - lesson learned. I'm nervous to only have the emergency brake to keep it from rolling on uneven ground before the levelers come down. Maybe I'm over thinking it but when a trailer starts rolling it's impossible to stop once unhooked.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Our 2018 Alante says Level in Park. The 2023 Precept does say Neutral. The 2023 Alante manual says Neutral. There must be a transmission change when Ford changed to the V8. Or maybe someone damaged their park teeth and they decided neutral was better. I found out last year, your not supposed to load equipment on a flat trailer with tow vehicle in park. Maybe the same issue.

 

[Camper_bob]

Interesting!

I can't imagine being in N when auto-leveling, but then I can't imagine NOT setting the brake ... well ... just about every time I park? I always do both; transmission in park and brake set firmly. I do that every time for my daily driver too.

There was a discussion a while back somewhere in here where a member was trying to say that it was unimportant to set the brake while leveling. I argued there's no way I'm ever going to trust just the parking pawl in the transmission to hold my vehicle.

So maybe that's it? Maybe they're trying to force people to set the brake? My levelers won't work unless the brake is set anyway. And that's one safety I'm not willing to bypass. Or maybe they're afraid something in the transmission could break, thus disabling it or at least doing serious damage?

I dunno, I think that's strange and curious... And I would be uncomfortable leaving my rig in neutral while leveling.

 

[JimD]

My levelers will give an error if the parking brake is not engaged when trying to level. It also will auto retract if the ignition is in the on position regardless of if the engine is running or not.

I don't get the concept of leaving the transmission in neutral while engaging the parking brake. They are opposite actions.

Engaging the parking brake is suppose to prevent the vehicle from moving. I believe it does a good job when properly engaged. Leaving the transmission in neutral is suppose to allow movement. Basically the opposite.

I have and will always go through the same procedure - get the spot (hopefully as level as possible), put in park, engine off, parking brake engaged, engage leveler. Has always worked for me.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Wow! I just noticed something else. In 2018 Alante, engine must be running to level. 2023 Alante, engine must be off when leveling.

 

[RPR]

I may be off base but one possibility. Installation instructions from leveler manufacturer may say connect through the neutral safety switch so writers of RV instruction manual say must be in neutral. Installers at Jayco May not run it through the neutral safety switch.

 

[suzhou]

JimD, I didn't get a chance to test much before I put it in the storage lot but plan to soon. When I did give it a quick test I got similar results. Parking break on and leaving the key in the "on" position, engine off, with the RV in Neutral and you get the loud warning dings from the dash. I figured that wasn't what they intended. Level the unit while trying to hear its beeps over the loud warning dings from the dash so I decided to investigate more. I think I'll drop a note to the Jayco tech line and see what they say.

 

[Camper_bob]

It makes even less sense given the fact that for many years, auto manufacturers have been trying to combat people leaving the driver's seat with the vehicle in anything but Park. My 2018 For chassis will ding at you and flash the transmission selection indicator in the dash. My Jeep will literally shift the transmission into Park if you open the driver's door.

I just find it VERY hard to believe that it would be appropriate or proper to level the rig with it in Neutral? It should be "in park, brake set, and no tire(s) off the ground".

 

[suzhou]

Here is the reply I got from Jayco tech support. All as I expected but note he says "park or neutral" for gear position. As for me - I'll always be in park.

1. The coach is parked on a reasonably level surface.
2. The coach “PARKING BRAKE” is engaged.
3. The coach transmission should be in the neutral or park position.
4. Be sure all persons, pets and property are clear of the coach while LCI Level-Up® Motorhome Leveling System is in operation.
5. Clear all jack landing locations of debris and obstructions. Locations should also be free of depressions.
6. When parking the coach on extremely soft surfaces, utilize load distribution pads under each jack.
7. Be sure to keep hands and other body parts clear of fluid leaks. Oil leaks in the LCI Level-Up Motorhome Leveling System may be under high pressure and can cause serious skin penetrating injuries.
8. Never lift the coach completely off the ground. Lifting the coach so the wheels are not touching the ground will create an unstable and unsafe condition.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Since he said “or”. I know which I’m using.

 

[suzhou]

Not that I think it makes a difference but he says LCI level system. I have an EQ level system. Not sure if they use both in my rig but essentially the same I guess. I had an LCI mechanical system in my FW rig. Worked great after I figured out they had installed the sensor mechanism backwards halfway through a trip to the west coast. The techs at the dealership say they find new rigs with the sensor units installed backwards quite often.

 

[suzhou]

One last point to share - I got an email back from Jayco tech support and he says leveling in Park doesn't hurt anything or cause issues. I was sure it didn't but figured I'd share the official response.

 

[slowTA]

I'm pretty sure the reason they say to be in park or neutral is that they don't want the motorhome in any gear (D/R/1/2/3) since you'll lift your foot off the brake when done and it could try to move with the levelers down.

Also, I bet they want the transmission in park AFTER the rig is level, just not during the leveling process... possibly to avoid any driveline loading as the suspension droops.

As far as the engine running vs off, I'm sure that has to do with the wiring of the pump. Engine running to power the pump from the alternator vs shore power. Similar to how your power windows work better when you roll them up with the engine running vs off.