Air Bags July 29, 2008, 11:28:34 am Yahoo Message Number: 1500No, I'm not referring to anyone who posted something.Assuming I can get my 32SS problems worked out, I will eventually wantdo do some suspension upgrades. One thing that has surprised me isthe how often I drag the hitch on the ground compared to my last classC.I know to avoid certain situations, and with time will become betterable to tell what is going to be a problem, but sometimes it is justunavoidable, and some of those unavoidable circumstances are places Ireally want to go. Is it practical to install airbags that can beadjusted from the driver's seat to raise the coach or at least therear end when necessary?I don't want to permanently increase the height, but being able toraise the coach a few inches at low speed from time to time would be nice.I know nothing about this and am just beginning to look into it. Ifit does work, can someone give me an idea of price range and amount oflift I could expect?Thnak you. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #1 – July 29, 2008, 02:54:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1501I have a set of Firestone Ride Rite air lifts on my Kodiak. They liftrear about 2" when fully inflated to 100 psi.Here is a link to Firestone's site.http://www.fsip.com/riderite/applications/vehiclesearch/chevrolet.shtml#Cheapest place I have found to purchase them from is Summit Racing.I purchased kit #2362.http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FIP-2362&N=700+115&autoview=skuHardest part of job was removing rear tires to install brackets andbags. If you have a shorter wheelbase you may get more lift. Mywheelbase is 239".My Kodiak has a air pump and tank. I also purchased a gauge and switchto inflate bags from inside MH.If you need/want to add a pump, switch and gauge. It will double theprice. I paid about $250 with shipping for the kit plus $85 for thegauge with switch. 2362 kit has everything to fill bags with a tireair chuck. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #2 – July 29, 2008, 07:58:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1504So how does the airbags affect the ride? Do you use them just to gain left when needed, or have you found different psi settings change the ride of the coach. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #3 – July 30, 2008, 04:59:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 1505I run the bags at about 50 psi. Ride does not seem to be affected.Only drove MH 200 miles since installed. Main reason I installed thebags is I plan on replacing tires next year. Going to install 245's.In order to carry more on rear with the bigger tires I needed heavierspring. Air bags were cheaper than springs and I could install themmyself. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #4 – July 30, 2008, 09:55:03 am Yahoo Message Number: 1507How much lift do you get running the bags at 50%. I have about 1-1.5 inch drop in the rear of the coach, and am interested in economical methods of raising it. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #5 – July 30, 2008, 11:14:29 am Yahoo Message Number: 1508I get over 1" at the trailer hitch. Had to switch from 5" drop to 6"drop ball mount to keep tow dolly close to level. When going over offlevel approaches, drop mount is what hits. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #6 – July 30, 2008, 12:56:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1509, "Ron Hall" wrote:QuoteI get over 1" at the trailer hitch. Had to switch from 5" drop to 6"drop ball mount to keep tow dolly close to level. When going over offlevel approaches, drop mount is what hits.I would like to be able to get a bit more lift than that when needed, but even 2" might make a difference. I can't really detect anysagging, but still need added height in the rear when pulling out ofsome driveways and side roads, and some forest roads I used to travelon look out of the question right now. Unless I find somethingbetter, I think I will go with the Ride Rite bags before next seasonand also weld a wheel or two onto the bottom of the receiver to easescraping when I hit.I assume there is a switch on the dash to inflate/deflate the bags? Iam also planning on upgrading the shocks, probably to Koni. Thatmight give me a bit stiffer ride and help a little. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #7 – July 30, 2008, 03:30:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1510It will raise the rear end. How much will depend how your MH is builtand loaded.I ordered a gauge kit for my MH. My Duramax came with a air pump andtank if yours does not have one then you will need to purchase #2097kit with pump and switch.My install can be seen under my photo page here on Kodiak Chassis.http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/KodiakChassisClassC/photos/browse?b=17&m=t&o=5 Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #8 – July 30, 2008, 03:50:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1511Ron - how high the the pressure in the air tank on your rig? I havethe 6.6l with the engine brake, which requires the air. I have neverput a gage on the air tank and have been wondering if the pressure washight enough to run air bags., "Ron Hall" wrote:QuoteIt will raise the rear end. How much will depend how your MH is builtand loaded.I ordered a gauge kit for my MH. My Duramax came with a air pump andtank if yours does not have one then you will need to purchase #2097kit with pump and switch.My install can be seen under my photo page here on Kodiak Chassis.http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/KodiakChassisClassC/photos/browse?b=17&m=t&o=5 Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #9 – July 30, 2008, 05:05:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1514I have a duramax but to my knowledge no air tank or pump... do you have air brakes? Where is it mounted.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #10 – July 30, 2008, 05:10:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1515It will reach just over 100 psi. I tried to use it to fill tires. Butit does not start back up until pressure gets below 90 psi. Does notwork good enough for tires. But works great for, air bags, exhaustbrake, and air horns. I do have a air chuck hooked up to the tank foremergencies. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #11 – July 30, 2008, 06:25:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1516According to GS I have air brakes. But they are hydraulic.There is a thread on RV.NET that covers the subject.Here is a link to it.http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18656881/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfmOn page 2 I posted pictures of my pump and air tank that are mountedunder drivers side of cab. Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #12 – July 30, 2008, 08:14:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1517Thanks Ron. That should save a few hundred on installing the air bags.Denny - if you have the Engine Brake, you have the air pump and tank.The air tanks is just behind the driver side step., "Ron Hall" wrote: Quote Selected
Air Bags Reply #13 – July 01, 2009, 12:13:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 2717So far on this trip all has been well. We are presently in Hannibal Mo. doing the Tom Sawyier thing and touring the sights. Fuel milage has been real good in my opinion as the best tank was 9.9 through Nebraska. Given it is fairly flat. Iowa was a different story. Lots of up and down. Mileage fell off to 8.5. So far I am happy. I do have the Edge Juice Attitude set on level 2 and that is perfect. Plenty of power.The one problem that I have is that the left side air bag has rubbed through on the bracket it appears. There is alot of clearance around the bag so can't believe that is what happened. I am thinking that something was kicked up from the tires and lodged between the bag and the bracket and cause the damage. I will try to see if I can find a replacement between here and home. Has anyone experience with this. The bracketing is all secure and where it should be. Thoughts?Dennis Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #14 – July 01, 2009, 09:01:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 2718I haven't inspected my airbags, but will climb under the unit and check over the next few days.Roger Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #15 – July 01, 2009, 11:11:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 2719My left air bag was at zero when I checked the pressure. I tried to pressureize the bag and it wouldn't take air. I slid under the MH and found that it had a worn thru area that corresponded with the angle on the bracket. the clearance even uninflated is so great that just don't see how it could have happened. I lowered the pressure in the right bag to 20lbs and am now on the road. I haven't found a replacement yet.DennisFrom: "rsri1@..." To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 7:00:11 PMSubject: Re: [KodiakChassisClassC] Air BagsI haven't inspected my airbags, but will climb under the unit and check over the next few days.RogerIn a message dated 7/1/2009 12:14:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, dbrford43@yahoo. com writes: Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #16 – July 02, 2009, 08:45:39 am Yahoo Message Number: 2720I'm with the others looking at mine it sure seems unlikely that they would be able to rub on the frame or tire from where they are mounted. Is it possible that one of the two bolts that hold the bag to the bracket on the top sheered off and the bag twisted? Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #17 – July 02, 2009, 06:30:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 2721When I looked the area over I thought of that and everthing is secure. All the hardware is in place.DennisFrom: leej211979 To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 6:45:11 AMSubject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Air BagsI'm with the others looking at mine it sure seems unlikely that they would be able to rub on the frame or tire from where they are mounted. Is it possible that one of the two bolts that hold the bag to the bracket on the top sheered off and the bag twisted? Quote Selected
Re: Air Bags Reply #18 – July 02, 2009, 07:03:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 2722I checked my air bags last week no sign of wear any place. I now have a little over 6,000 miles on them. Did have problems with air lines not being fully seated. This caused a slow leak. But since I have a gauge and control inside cab. I just kept adding air until I got to a place where I could check where leak was. I have seen warnings about not letting air bags run at less than 10 psi. I believe that a lower pressure will cause air bags to fail. Quote Selected