I've been reading the posts on here and the Monaco Owner's Forum the last few days and finally decided to jump in and check my ride height. I checked my manual for the measurements and then verified them with Monaco. The front is 8 5/16" and the rear is 8 13/16". This measurement is taken at the metal plates at the top and bottom of the air bag. You measure from the bottom of the top plate to the top of the bottom plate.

I started the coach and allowed it to run until the bags were full and the air tank pressure release opened. I was able to measure the bags without going under the coach. The hardest part is finding something that can measure them. You can't just use a tape because of the bulge in the bags. I tried a couple of things, but found that the pistol grip wood clamps Clamp worked great when you remove the protective caps from the jaws. I was able to set the gap between the jaws and then just hold it up to the airbags.

My front bags were at 7 1/2" and the rears were at 9 1/2". I was a little leary of crawling under the coach and messing with the air bag height for fear of it coming down on me. I crawled under the front and positioned my self in an open area in case the coach did come down.

I loosened the 7/16" lock nut on the upper arm and moved the plastic body, attached to the arm, upward. You'll hear the bags start to inflate and I watched as they increased about an inch and then tghtened the nut. I did this a coupe of times until the measurement was correct. I was able to reach over with the wood clamp from under the coach and check the measurment. (I kept double cheking the wood clamp to make sure it was still set correctly).

I moved to the rears and set both of them in same manner. I found my fear of being under the coach was unwarranted. The coach movement was minor and easily controlled at the adjustment valve.

I dumped the air out of the coach and re-checked the settings. I was off by a quater inch at the front and reset it.

I'll drive it tomorrow and then check the settings one more time.

I know this was long, but I hope it helps someone else feel more confident about adjusting their own ride height. It was a fairly simple job. The only problem I had was getting my chunky butt and waist under the coach.

don, great post! just curious about your hight specs? just e mailed mcctech 2 days ago and he responded with different specs. 9 1/4 front and 10 1/2 rears these coaches share the same rr8r chassis. im wondering about length of chassis or model year making the difference. i'll contact them on monday and see what they say!
hope your coach handles great after adjustments.
jim

beaverjim.....Monaco's answer was the same as my manual. I test drove it today for a short distance and it seems to track better with less steering imput. It's hard to know if there is a big difference.

We're heading to Quartzsite Thursday so I'll see if there are dramatic changes.

Great job, Don. Hope it rides that much better.

And it'd be interesting to hear what Monaco says, Jim.

Thanks

Don,
Great precision instrument to measure the bag height. Good idea. I used 2 tri squares that achieved the same thing but I'll bet yours was easier. I think you will be amazed with the difference in ride and handling quality. Especially the handling. I had my coach alignment checked and adjusted but the ride height was at least as good and coupled with the ride much more bang for the buck.

Great job!

This made the most notable improvement in our GS's ride and removed the driveshaft vibration we felt.

Ken

contacted mcctech again this time by phone. ride hight came out to be 9 1/4 front 10 1/2 rear 02 beaver santiam 40 rr8r chassis. jim

Took the coach to Quartzsite this weekend (286 miles). The coach took less steering input and rode smoother. The only thing I can think of is that the weight is more evenly distributed and the coach rides like it was designed. Mine was an inch low in the front and an inch high in the rear.

Don,
Did you notice any difference in height between the 2 bags per wheel position? When I measured my a year or so ago it was high in the rear and low in the front, about an inch or so. I noticed there was a difference between the 2 bags for the same wheel position especially the rear bags. Since I was taking the coach in for warranty I had them adjust the air bags. Today I noticed that the coach did not seem level from side to side and measuring the bags confirmed it so, based on your experience, will attempt to bring it into spec. The coach is also high again in the front.

mark

I wondered how all four bags on the front and the two on each rear would measure out. The rears measured the same on both sides and the four fronts measured the same with the excepton of the left front that was about 1/8" - 1/4" different.