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Setting up levelers, slide out and awning - best practice

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kmallen

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  • Model: 2351
  • ModelYear: 2016
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Cherry
  • ExtColor: Graystone
  • Location: Green Valley, AZ
Setting up levelers, slide out and awning - best practice
« on: June 14, 2024, 01:11:01 am »
Hello,
I have a 2016 model 2351.  I would like to confirm that I am setting up levelers, slide out room and awnings in the correct order. 

Here's the notes I have so far:
1st:  Levelers
•   We recommend that your RV be plugged into a 120VAC receptacle or have the generator running, during jack operation. This will help ensure the battery maintains proper voltage during operation.
•   The coach is parked in a reasonably level surface.
•   Leave key in ignition,
•   The coach “PARKING BRAKE” is engaged.
•   The coach transmission should be in the “park” position.
•   The ignition is in the OFF position.
•   Acts like a bubble level and yellow lights indicate low points. UP button lifts coach up (lowering jack).  The UP button always activates two jacks.   
•   No lights or 4 corner orange lights indicate you are level. You can still use jacks for coach stabilization.

2nd:  Slide Room Operation
•   We recommend that your RV be plugged into a 120VAC receptacle or have the generator running, during slide out operation. This will help ensure that the battery maintains proper voltage during operation.
•   For optimum performance, the slide out system requires full battery current and voltage. The battery must be maintained at full capacity. If the battery is fully charged and you still do not have power, check the terminals and other connections at the battery.
•   Level the unit.
•   Press and hold the IN/OUT switch in the OUT position until the room is fully extended and stops moving. Hold the button down to put your slide out and up to put your slide in. 
•   It is important to continue to press the slide-out switch for a few seconds after the room is fully extended until the motor shuts off. The control will sense that the room has stopped and will shut off the motor after a few seconds.
•   Release the switch, which will lock the room into position.

3rd:  Extending the Awning

•   Be sure to open awning before you set the parking brake (DO I RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE THAT WAS SET DURING LEVELING?) and you cannot operate if the key is in the ignition.
•   Press and hold the “Extend” button and the awning will automatically open.  If the button is released the awning will stop.  Keep button depressed until awning is fully extended then release.
•   If awning hesitates, push out awning a bit.  This is normal.
•   Verify that the valance is in the correct orientation.  Tap the rocker switch in the “Retract” direction to adjust the valance orientation if necessary.  The awning is hyper-extended if the rope is located behind the roller tube.  Correct position is awning straight across the roller tube.  S

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SharonL

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Re: Setting up levelers, slide out and awning - best practice
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2024, 05:18:37 pm »
The directions for the levelers would depend on what model you have.  We have the HWH 325 series as our coach is a 2015 model 2552. We do need to have the ignition in the OFF position and the parking brake engaged in order to use the jacks. Ours is not an “auto level” model so we have to level by looking at the yellow leveling lights on the panel. We have been told to always level from side to side before we level front to rear.

You should always level your coach BEFORE you extend your slide.  If your coach is not level, you can really mess up your slide. Putting the slide out is simple as pushing the button and waiting until the slide is completely out.  Remember to bring your slide in BEFORE you bring your jacks back up when you are preparing to leave.

As far as your awning goes I’m not sure about the parking brake but the awning won’t go out, I believe, when the key is in the ignition or if the coach is running as a safety feature.  I know that I have put the awning out without having the parking brake engaged. You can open your awning even if you don’t extend your slide.  I guess it’s pretty good to have a certain set of steps to take in order to set things up.  That way you get into the habit of doing things the same way every time and hopefully avoid missing something.

I’m sure others will offer their input to help you out.  There is so much knowledge out here on the forum.

Enjoy!
Sharon

Sharon🏝

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kmallen

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  • Location: Green Valley, AZ
Re: Setting up levelers, slide out and awning - best practice
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2024, 10:33:40 pm »
Many thanks Sharon for your guidance on these operations.  I guess since the awning isn't necessarily out ( I worry about the wind), I will focus on the correct order of leveling and slide room.   :)

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mikeh

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Re: Setting up levelers, slide out and awning - best practice
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2024, 12:40:54 am »
Hello Kathleen--

I don't really have much to add to the comments that you originally posted, and Sharon's confirmation of those.  You both have pretty well identified the prescribed sequence of the proper set-up process for your RV.
I concur that I ALWAYS deploy the leveler's before extending the slide, and I do think that can be important, especially in some circumstances.  On my 2019, with the Model 725 automatic leveling system, the system will function with or without the engine running--although as with all HWH systems, the parking brake MUST be set.  It IS important, I think to have some source of power (other than just batteries) whenever operating a higher-current-draw system (such as he levelers or slide room).  That supply can be from the generator, being plugged in to shore power, or (at least in my case) from having the coach engine running.  Fully charged house batteries should certainly provide adequate system voltage on their own to operate those systems, but there is no sense in stressing things when you can easily provide auxiliary voltage from an outside source.

As stated, the slide should ALWAYS extend or retract fully (not partially) every movement (in or out), and allowing the slide motors a few seconds to synchronize at the end of each movement before you release the switch will help prevent issues.

I rarely use my awning, so I cannot comment on the parking brake question--I just don't know.  The ignition safety feature is logical to prevent awning damage--but it's a good practice NOT to leave the ignition key in the ignition once the coach is parked and set up anyway.  I always pull my key and store is in a dash cup holder until I'm ready to get back on the road.  As Sharon says, having a regular sequence that you follow each time you stop overnight or for a stay will help ensure everything get addressed and nothing is overlooked.

Mike
« Last Edit: June 16, 2024, 12:44:31 am by mikeh »

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kmallen

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  • Location: Green Valley, AZ
Re: Setting up levelers, slide out and awning - best practice
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2024, 09:42:12 am »
Thanks Mike!  Since i have been doing this for a few years, it felt good to get confirmation!