Slides out or autolevelers down first?

[chompchomp]

We’re now on our third Class A MH and the dealer insisted slides go out first . We have always leveled first. Any thoughts?

[way2roll]

So we just brought home our new MH and my perspective has changed a bit. The new one the MBS chassis requires the engine to be running to put the slides out, but requires the engine to be off to put down the jacks. This literally forces me to put the slides out first - something I have never done on any RV I have owned. granted this is a C but wanted to note that the process really is unique to the unit.

[RognBon]

The instruction manual on our 1997 Monaco Dynasty with three point levelers is: slides out at full ride height, dump air bags, deploy levelers. When breaking camp it's air up to full ride height, retract levelers, retract slides. Been doing it this way for 17 years with no issues.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Bruce Brown wrote:

Ro"n"Joe wrote:
On our rig, while aired up slides out first then level. On leaving air up bags, slides in then jacks up.

That must be something new for Newmar, they were always level first then slides.

I'm thinking maybe the full wall slide has changed things from the old days.

My 2015 Dutch Star instructions says to leave aired up, don't level first, deploy slides. Same as Ro"n"Joe. I believe this instruction is there to protect the full wall slide. Yes it's backward to some but that's why you follow mfg's instructions. I'm 8 years in following Newmars instructions & no issues.

[wallynm]

RTFM as in read the factory manual.I have seen slide and then level and level and then slide.

chompchomp wrote:
We’re now on our third Class A MH and the dealer insisted slides go out first . We have always leveled first. Any thoughts?

[map40]

Reccomendations from the manufacturer will vary depending on several factors, but the most important is the structural integrity of the vehicle with the slides in vs the slides out.
Some RVs (mainly the ones with a lower cost) use the slide out closed as part of the structure. In these cases you need to level first and open the slide outs afterwards because the slides need to be part of the structure. The only issue is that when you open the slideouts the weight distribution will change and the RV might stress a little on one jack or even move if you are on soft ground.
The RVs in which the slideout wall is not part of the structure (a bus chassis for example) don't need the wall of the slideout to be in to maintain structure, so it is better to level the RV with the slides out to ensure great weight distribution.
I always believed that the safest bet is always to level first and open slideout afterwards, but me driving an Alfa, when the 4 feet slideout monster comes out you absolutelly can feel the RV change position...

[Bruce_Brown]

Ro"n"Joe wrote:
On our rig, while aired up slides out first then level. On leaving air up bags, slides in then jacks up.

That must be something new for Newmar, they were always level first then slides.

I'm thinking maybe the full wall slide has changed things from the old days.

[Ro_n_Joe]

On our rig, while aired up slides out first then level. On leaving air up bags, slides in then jacks up.

[Blaster_Man]

dodge guy wrote:
Always level first. Otherwise if off level the slides can and will go out uneven and may cause damage.

For Sure!

[willald]

Here's another vote for "Ignore the blanket statements, and just go by what the owner's manual says". That is ultimately what matters, and the answer will not be the same for all coaches.

For us, most times we deploy the jacks and level things up first, but not always. If we pull into a spot that feels fairly close to level, I've been known to let the slides go out first. Or, if we are boondocking for just one night in a parking lot or something, we will not use/extend the leveling jacks at all, but the slideouts will come out.

[Dutch_12078]

I agree with the check the manual recommendations. It makes a difference whether you have leveling jacks or air bag leveling.

[wildtoad]

Be nice to know the brand of is current mh, and what chassis. As others have stated check your manual and/or call customer support.

I have a Newmar gasser and won’t say what I do, as it may not be relevant for your needs.

[AllegroD]

What does your manual say?

[dodge_guy]

Always level first. Otherwise if off level the slides can and will go out uneven and may cause damage.

[Bruce_Brown]

jorbill2or wrote:
Manufacturers have different rules. You need to look at what yours says for your year. You can’t make a blanket statement. Mine says “ this “ isn’t an answer.
My Marquis is slides ( ride height) then level .. but that may not apply to yours.

^^^ This.

Years ago we were having this discussion with friends of ours who owned a Monaco at the time.

The owners manuals came out and theirs clearly said slides out THEN level.

Our manual clearly says level FIRST.

To me it makes more sense to level first but I'm not the engineer who designed it. I'll listen to the guys who did.

[YC_1]

The dealer may have read the owners manual. Could be a first. But do read the owners manual as if there will be a test, because there will be on some cold dark rainy night.