Air System

[DZZippy]

Hello all,

I apologize for the length of this

I posted this question a bit ago and never got a response which I though was intriguing. Either my situation is very unique and never been handled in the Monnacoers before or everyone has been busy.

Our HR Imperial 42 PBQ originally had a Inteliride air system that controlled air leveling, tag axle functions, and travel height. Inteliride was bought by Firestone and now has a parent company out of Ireland. I have done a lot of homework in this system. I talked to the parent company, techs state side that are familiar (very few), REV, Coburn where it was built by Roadmaster, just to name a few. At this point it appears that many people I talk with end up getting more knowledge from me then I do from them. This system was an option upon factory production along with the counterpart HWH 600 series. This system is very antiquated, difficult to obtain available  parts, some parts obsolete, requires constant calibration (only with Windows XP software), and completely non functional in our coach. Since then, the decision was made to abort the system as we will have nothing but headaches from this point forward. Manual air ride height control valves have now been installed to keep the coach at least in “travel mode”. I still have to address the tag axle capabilities. I am a tech by nature so I can easily figure out some pneumatics and switching for tag dump and tag raise. 

Essentially we need to replace our system and the goal would be to replace it with similar functionality of the original Inteliride system or HWH series 600. I have had contact with HWH….no help unless I’m interested in Active Air. They have shut down the install shop and frankly I was told “We can’t help you”…..very disappointing. A company called Valid out of Canada has a great system that I would gladly install and currently they use it proprietarily on Spartan chassis. That’s where I have ran into additional issues with them. After speaking with program engineering, they have a system that would be perfect that I would install. However, Valid needs “approval” from a “Roadmaster” engineer. The Valid engineer and I discussed heavily in detail how I can install and program for the same functionally as I need. However, I still have yet to get a hold of someone to give me a good lead from Roadmaster/ Freightliner.

The ultimate question…. Has anyone replaced their air leveling air system and with what? I plan on installing myself and have full capability. I could go on for hours with the time invested in the research.

 

Thank you in advance to whomever.

[Frank McElroy]

Others may chime in but I suspect your coach is a cousin to the Windsor.  Attached is a wiring diagram for model year 2004.  In our downloads, there are other wiring diagrams and files on the HWH and Valid/PowerGear air leveling systems used on the Monaco roadmaster chassis.  Here are a few links.

https://www.monacoers.org/files/category/1-air-systems-leveling-jacks/

 

[vito.a]

Monaco installed Valid air systems on 2007 and newer diesel coaches. 

2006 and older used HWH systems except for some Windsor models and your Imperial.  (A few of the Windsor owners have successfully repaired their Firestone systems.) 

So you should be able to retrofit either system.  Having owned and worked on both I prefer the HWH system.  The wiring to retrofit either system will be extensive but you may be able to adapt some of the current wiring. 

The optimum system would be the HWH active air but it's a $10k system upgrade from a current HWH air system.  

Also, Roadmaster Chassis and Freightliner are not related.  Roadmaster was a division of Monaco Coach Corp that designed and built their own chassis based on an early Chrysler military division design.  

Best of luck!

[vito.a]

Johnwuch had HWH Active air installed on his 05 Windsor.  He had a complete Firestone system in his garage.  https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/firestone-intelliride-in-2005-imperial-342831-3.html

Also, some of the guys on IRV2 have been able to get the Firestone software to run on Win 7.  

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/firestone-intelliride-in-2005-imperial-342831.html

[DZZippy]

Thanks to all for the information. I did reach out to HWH in the past regarding active air…yep $10k, and they have to install and won’t sell directly to the customer for install. On top of it….they haven’t opened their shop for install since COVID (as of March) and I would be on the long waiting list so I’m told. They weren’t very helpful regarding my situation.

Since it was out out there that Valid was installed on some Monaco’s….does anyone have it on their coach? What chassis? Does anyone have pneumatic and electrical schematics? Those would be very beneficial. Thanks again!

[Ray Davis]

I was just flipping through an FMCA magazine looking at ads etc when I noticed a Master Tech ad saying air suspension repair and conversions.  I can't say what all they include in the term conversions but it caught my attention and I thought about you.

I don't know this company, but it is large.  Might be worth a call.

Master Tech Custom Coach RV & Marine | AMERCA'S #1 RATED RV SERVICE, COLLISION AND RENOVATION CENTER! | SALES@MASTERTECHRV.COM | 866-895-4556 

[dandick66]

I have the Valid system on my 2012 Diplomat.  I’ve attached the file with the air schematic.  As far as I can tell, Monaco didn’t change much over the years.  I’ve seen older schematics that look almost identical to mine.  

18623342_B (Schematic Pneumatics DEKA 43ft) Model (1).pdf

Edited September 28, 2022 by dandick66
The auto correct changed the word “Valid”

[Bill R]

10 hours ago, DZZippy said:

Since it was out out there that Valid was installed on some Monaco’s….does anyone have it on their coach? What chassis? Does anyone have pneumatic and electrical schematics?

Kurtis - My 2006 Windsor has the Valid system.  Roadmaster Chassis. The schematic Dan provided is very close to my system.

[DZZippy]

9 hours ago, Ray Davis said:

I was just flipping through an FMCA magazine looking at ads etc when I noticed a Master Tech ad saying air suspension repair and conversions.  I can't say what all they include in the term conversions but it caught my attention and I thought about you.

I don't know this company, but it is large.  Might be worth a call.

Master Tech Custom Coach RV & Marine | AMERCA'S #1 RATED RV SERVICE, COLLISION AND RENOVATION CENTER! | SALES@MASTERTECHRV.COM | 866-895-4556 

I will look into it. Thank you!

4 hours ago, dandick66 said:

I have the Valid system on my 2012 Diplomat.  I’ve attached the file with the air schematic.  As far as I can tell, Monaco didn’t change much over the years.  I’ve seen older schematics that look almost identical to mine.  

18623342_B (Schematic Pneumatics DEKA 43ft) Model (1).pdf 367.11 kB · 4 downloads

Perfect…thank you!!

2 hours ago, Bill R said:

Kurtis - My 2006 Windsor has the Valid system.  Roadmaster Chassis. The schematic Dan provided is very close to my system.

Excellent. Thank you!!

[Frank McElroy]

On 9/28/2022 at 3:20 PM, dandick66 said:

I have the Valid system on my 2012 Diplomat.  I’ve attached the file with the air schematic.  As far as I can tell, Monaco didn’t change much over the years.  I’ve seen older schematics that look almost identical to mine.  

18623342_B (Schematic Pneumatics DEKA 43ft) Model (1).pdf 367.11 kB · 17 downloads

Kurtis, in addition to the Valid air schematic for the 2012 Diplomat, there are schematics of a number of air system schematics posted in our Downloads.  The HWH and Valid Power Gear systems are very close cousins.

 

https://www.monacoers.org/files/category/1-air-systems-leveling-jacks/

[DZZippy]

Hey all. I know that sometimes we read all the posts and never get a final resolution or reply from some. I just wanted to take a moment and let everyone know that I am extremely grateful for all responses. With all the research I have done and the several responses with additional info…success has paid off! I am actually working directly with a manufacturer of air leveling that is well know in the RV world. They are producing an “aftermarket” custom system for us to install after several calls, exchange of information, and research. It is still a few months out from a “in hand product” but they have listened with open arms and persistence on our part. I think they are just sick of hearing from me…lol I think this could be a real game changer for our rigs if anybody else is interested and needs a complete new air system. I do not wish to share any details regarding it at this point but will do so with anyone interested when we have the final product. Details to follow eventually.

[Bill R]

On 12/20/2022 at 4:09 PM, DZZippy said:

I do not wish to share any details regarding it at this point but will do so with anyone interested when we have the final product. Details to follow eventually.

@DZZippyPlease do post back the results.