[jdkskyking]

If a raise valve was leaking wouldn't the suspension ride height valve be constantly exhausting?  In travel mode the Valid 6 pack ride height valve should be open.  It is common for the Valid valves to get dirt/grit in them causing leakage.

I’m trying to wrap my head around all of the possibilities.

I understand the HCV theory of operation under normal conditions and installation. 

I question the use of the sway bar as the “anchor” for the HCV control rod. As far as I can tell the only other option to the sway bar is installing the HCV in the wheel well at the upper air bag structure and utilizing the upper A arm as a control rod mounting point. Then the question is installing two HCV’s and splitting the steer air bags up??? 

                       

Yesterday I returned from my trip to Little Rock. As I departed the RV park I had to raise the coach due to a horrible parking lot exit. I pulled into the roadway center lane and lowered the coach until I was satisfied all air was out of all air bags. I then let the suspension raise to Travel Height and started my journey home. 

I was content with the way the coach was driving. After an hour or so I stopped at a rest stop to take a break. The rest stop was packed and I had to park on an upward incline. I was there 20 minutes or so before I departed. 

Once back on the highway the coach drove differently. Poorly, like I’ve described before. As soon as I could I pulled off the highway and reset the suspension again by lowering and allowing it to come up to Travel Height. 

I believe it did drive better after the “reset” but I also experienced windy conditions.

The entire trip I never raised the coach with the Valid panel. Only lower and Travel Height.

[hypoxia]

I have had height control valves that would intermittently raise the front of the coach.  On my last coach I had several occasions to extend the generator and hide in that cavity while raising & lowering the coach alongside the road because of an intermittent HCV.  If you decide to work on the 6 pack, HERE is a thread showing the parts needed.  It's probably a good time to rebuild the whole thing especially if it doesn't stay level when camping in manual mode.

I can't see where the HCV being on the sway bar would be a factor.

[johnkosir]

Before i did that I would try to switch that ride height control valve with one of the rear ones if possible and see if the problem followed the valve

[jdkskyking]

I contacted Daytona Air Suspension technical support. He’s very familiar with the Newell owner struggles and suggests that I replace the valve first. Easy to do when the winter temps improve here in NWA.

He and I did discuss the sway bar connect point and admitted it certainly isn’t ideal. 

I explained another idea I had to relocate the HCV to the wheel well and use either the upper A arm as a control rod connection point or fabricate a bracket that would mount under the shock absorber lower mount. He mentioned shock absorber mounting are commonly used as a connector for the control rod. 

One step at a time. 

One thing is for sure, I will eventually re mount the six pack inside my left forward compartment.

[Richard]

Your best shot at getting repeatable ride heights is to relocate to one of the ends of the A arms, that will provide 1:1 actuation. You may lose a slight bit of the side to side eveness in the front IF the coach is on unlevel ground. Stay with one valve to maintain the side to side float when in travel mode.

[johnkosir]

I agree with Richard about only using 3 HCV s you don't to be flexing your frame as you drive down the road , what happens when you go to put your slides out and your frame is twisted
When Winnebago went IFS they went 2 HCV on the front 1 on the back

[jdkskyking]

I appreciate ALL of the feedback. That’s how we improve!! 

There needs to be a design change that relocates the HCV to a frame location that will allow a 7” arm to be used to connect to a suspension location that is unchanged when the frame rises or loweres. 

My short term goal is to replace the valve with the arm welded to the valve pivot point. That much heat had to impact its operation but for true success I believe a relocation is in order. 

JK

[cwl1979]

With the new angles you've created in your pictures you run a pretty severe chance of "camming over" the HCV and dumping all your bags on the front while driving. If you cross some road construction with a abrupt edge the whole steer axle could drop together about 2 inches and make the arm rotate fully around, this results in a sudden dumping from the front bags. I'm not saying change anything just letting you know its an increased risk.

[jdkskyking]

Very good point and I agree completely. 

I’m in the process of preparing the replacement valve and will drill a series of mounting holes along the length of arm. 

I’m also going to fabricate a new sway bar arm I can bolt to the original, extend it by at least 1.75” and level it to be parallel to the HCV arm in Travel Height. 

I believe by doing that I can reduce the risk of the over cam situation. 

Please continue to provide input! 

JK

[jdkskyking]

BTW….