Like riding a mechanical bull

[KennyGolub]

Ok....took the Berk out for the second time since I owned it to add fuel.

I was tossed around in the seat like I was riding a mechanical bull. Twice, I would have been thrown from the seat if I didn't have a seat belt on.

Please tell me what I did wrong. I've never had air bags before. Is there something with that I was supposed to do before leaving?

Thanks,
Ken

[CT Camper]

"Retract All" on your jacks. You may have a sensor reading that you have a leveling jack down even if they are up.

[NO3putt]

It has happened to many of us, air bags not filled up. This is the process we use.

1. Slides in
2. Start engine, let run until hear air release (both air gages above 120)
3. Raise jacks
4. Wait again until we hear air release
5. Walk around and check distance between tires and fenders. (about 1" with air bags deflated, about 4 to 5" when aired up)

The pogo ride is not fun at all, just make sure you have the 4 to 5" gap between tires and finders

Skip

[tmmar]

Ken,
As Skip has said, your air bags did not inflate and has happened to most of us. I usually push the retract all twice. After that, I pick out some spot, either out the windshield or door window or drivers window frame and some spot outside that I can use to tell if the coach is raising and the air bags filling. Takes some getting used to but it works.
Tom

[JJvike]

It was your air system. Even though the system quits alarming around 90, your rig is not ready for the road. I, too, rode the wild ride and a nice gentleman was nice enough to help me with my rookie status. My gauges need to read about 110-120 to be ready. There are more of us newbies that have done this than will probably admit.

[grt1014]

<- Rookie myself not long ago and did the same thing.


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[KennyGolub]

The first thing I looked at was the air pressure gauge and the were both just over 150. So I'm guessing the jacks weren't all the way up.

Speaking of jacks.......I am going to leave them fully retracted for the winter. I'd rather have them stuck up than stuck down. Should I let the air out of the bags also ?

Thanks everyone....this forum is great !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ken

[tmmar]

Ken,
The air bags will bleed down over time by them selves. No need to try and bleed them manually. Also, I made 4 wooden 'stands' to go under the jacks. They are just a piece of 4x4 that just fit under the jacks when the air bags are full. This way, when the air bags bleed down, the jacks will sit on the 4x4's and the weight of the coach will be supported by the 4x4's and not the empty air bags. Just what I do when the coach sit for the winter.
Tom

[JJvike]

Isn't 150 high? My 2 gauges never get that high. Hmmm....

[tmmar]

JJ,
Good catch. They should be around 125psi. I read another thread (in this forum I think) where the gauges were reading 150psi and it caused a problem with the system. If the gauges continually read 150 then Kenny should get the system checked.
Tom

[KennyGolub]

Originally Posted by JJvike

Isn't 150 high? My 2 gauges never get that high. Hmmm....

I may been rounding up......my bad.

This is all great information. Thanks to all !!

[seeg]

I did the same thing the day after I read a thread about the "pogo" effect so I almost immediately knew what was wrong. I did manage to ram my exhaust extension into the rear cap coming out of my driveway before I could safely stop and hit the retract button again. A little fiberglass work and we are as good as new.

[Phil57]

Never ever move the MH without a final walk around. After all the checks are made in the cockpit I always do a walk around and check doors ride height awnings toad just a last second check. Ride height I but my fist between the top of the tire and the fender on all four wheel wells. Silly because I've checked it all once but I never worry about anything when I pull out. I am a private pilot and I treat my last walk around like a preflight inspection.


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[Kelsma03]

We did the same thing once. After you pull the jacks up wait several minutes until the air bags inflate. I usually stand outside and watch the coach about the back tire. Sometimes you can hear a creaking sound then the woosh... then you are good to go.