Air Dump Switch--2000 Monterey SeaCliff

[David Handley]

This coach is equipped with 3-point RVA jacks.  In the Beaver Owner's Supplement, they provide step-by-step instructions for extending the levelers.  Step One is to block the front tires, set transmission to neutral and set parking brake, turn ignition OFF, press Air Dump switch to release air from the air bag system--then, when the bags have emptied, turn the ignition ON.

It all makes sense and works great except that I can't find an "Air Dump switch."  Looked everywhere--studied every manual--no joy.  Currently when I extend the levelers, I can hear air venting from the system, but I'm concerned this missed step may eventually cause a problem.

[David T. Richelderfer]

In our coach we have an air dump switch but I rarely use it.  When I turn on the hydraulic leveling and hit the auto-level the system starts dumping air while it's pushing down the levelers.  Before the levelers are on the ground most of the air has been dumped.  Our coach is a bit newer and I think it has HWH.  Actually, it's always worked so I have not got into its manual in much detail.

[Roy C Tyler]

 David
I have a Monterey Seacliff but it is newer so it sounds like it may be different.  I have the RVA jacks and level my coach like your instructions after I extend the slides. I do have to have the ignition switch on to make the Air Dump Switch work.  My Air Dump Switch is at the rear of the panel next to the drivers chair.  Right in front of the RVA leveler switches.  I park, dump the air from the air bags, and then use the levelers to get it stable so it does not rock when walking inside.  When I dump the air, it only seems to dump and lower the coach until it is down and level at a lower height than the driving height.

[Sean Lakin-BCS Tech]

your unit is equipped with a manual rocker switch jack control pad correct ?

[Joel Weiss]

It all makes sense and works great except that I can't find an "Air Dump switch."  Looked everywhere--studied every manual--no joy.  Currently when I extend the levelers, I can hear air venting from the system, but I'm concerned this missed step may eventually cause a problem.

My 2000 Patriot Thunder has the same basic system you are describing.  The air dump switch is on the dashboard and is a pushbutton to the right of the headlight switch.  It only works when the ignition switch is in the OFF position.  I only drop the air bag pressure when I'm camping for more than a couple of days and when I do I drop it to ~60 psi, not to zero.

[Edward Buker]

Joel,

I was wondering why you do not drop the air bag pressure to 0 and stay at 60PSI? We have the SMC leveling and drop to 0 PSI when we use that system.

Later Ed

[Keith Oliver]

Your instructions sound like they are for an older system, like what we had on our 98 Contessa.  There, a three jack system, I would set the jacks, and if I couldn't get level, I would dump some air and try again.  Worked on all but steep slopes.  But if you hear the air dumping while the jacks are going down, you have a different system, so maybe no dump switch.  Mine was clearly labelled, just aft of the Allison pad.

[Joel Weiss]

Joel,

I was wondering why you do not drop the air bag pressure to 0 and stay at 60PSI? We have the SMC leveling and drop to 0 PSI when we use that system.

Later Ed

Ed:

I have the 3-jack RVA system just like the OP's.  One major reason for releasing pressure is to lower the coach to make it easier to level on uneven ground.  Usually, a reduction to ~60 lowers the chassis enough to compensate for all but most unlevel sites.  Dropping pressure even more results in creaks and groans as the chassis rests on the collapsing airbags which doesn't seem like it is probably all that good for them so I stop at that pressure.  Over time, if we are parked for a long period, the remaining pressure will eventually drop to zero but the chassis will remain up on the jacks.

Joel

[David Handley]

your unit is equipped with a manual rocker switch jack control pad correct ?

Sorry I'm so long getting back on this--outta' the country.  Yes, I have manual rocker switches for leveler control--one on the console and another in the chassis service center.

[John Bagwell]

I have a 2001 Monterey.  My leveling instructions do not have anything about dumping air. It says to put out slides and then level back jacks first, when front jack.  It does not have a dump inside that I can find.   Thanks

[Al Lewis]

I have a 2002 Monterey for over 10 years. I have not found a dump switch. The manual says to dump the air after it is leveled. It also says to start the engine to build up air before lowering the jacks. Now I learn they tell me to lower the single front Jack first.  Of course I do not do any of this and have not noticed a problem as yet. It sounds like it dumps air when the jacks go down. I do follow the rule to operate the slides in or out with the jacks up. I think my coach is a Seacliff but has the Cummins engine.

[Robert Paisley]

I also have a 2002 Monterey Seacliff.
It did not have a dump switch for the airbags.
I installed a manual air dump valve for this purpose.
Dumping the bags before leveling gives the jacks a lot more travel to work with.

I put a T on each 3/8" air line feeding the bags (only one is necessary in the front, both front bags are fed with one air circuit from the ride height valve). Each T feeds a 1/4" air line that goes through a check valve. The check valves isolate each bag from the others. The two 1/4" lines in the rear T together after the check valves.
One 1/4" line from the rear goes up to the front of the coach, one 1/4" line from the front check valve, T these lines together and run them to a manual air dump valve and you have a dump system. I used a manual valve that is similar to the parking brake air valve. The valve is a "Sealco #17610, air bag control valve", $53 from anythingtruck.com.
Push-in industrial hose fittings (Ts) and check valves from Mcmaster.com, air hose should be DOT rated, can be found at any truck supply.

Robert