We have an appointment at Beaver Coach later this week, following up under "warranty" the repair work they did on our SMC leveling system, including their manual leveling work-around system, installed. We had a stuck jack earlier in the month and were able to eventually retract, but now running the jacks up and down to check how they are working.
Here is what we do: Manually let all air out, then extend jacks one at a time until they hit the frame. Next we run both front or both back jacks up a bit (so as not to torque the frame), then add a bit on one or the other jack to simulate leveling. Last, we start the coach and air up fully, then use the "All" or individual retract buttons. We do this on an already level pad, and with the slides IN as there is not room in our shop to open them.
Here is what we noted: The coach is about 4" higher when aired up. It takes about 1 minute and 45 seconds to get all jacks UP (back jacks 30-40 seconds, front jacks take 1 1/2+ minutes). This is OK, if normal. When all air is released, the front jacks are about 3- 3 1/2" from the frame. When front jacks are fully extended, there is about 8-9" total extension, allowing only 4-5" for leveling adjustments once the jacks hit the frame. Does this sound correct? The jacks only extend 8-9" total, including the 3+" before they even seat?
The other concern is that the left front jack seems to "stutter" when extending. Like it is slipping or something, but still eventually extends. The right front has this issue to a lesser degree; back jacks seem to work very smoothly. Is this a problem that should be addressed, or is it normal?
Last, somewhat unrelated: What are the straps that are between the two horizontal frame members of the chassis? They have lots of slack (see photo), but last winter during a bad repair shop experience, the shop extended the jacks and had the coach so high we could not air it up further to release the jacks - and these straps were TIGHT. We are still trying to figure out if there was any damage done; they had to bleed out the hydraulic fluid and pound on the jacks to finally get them up. They were just supposed to be replacing our hydraulic pump/motor, which they never were able to figure out!
Any helpful comments so we can try to put our hydraulic nightmares to rest and enjoy our "new to us" coach would be greatly appreciated!