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Air Bags

Yahoo Message Number: 1500
No, I'm not referring to anyone who posted something.

Assuming I can get my 32SS problems worked out, I will eventually want
do do some suspension upgrades. One thing that has surprised me is
the how often I drag the hitch on the ground compared to my last class
C.

I know to avoid certain situations, and with time will become better
able to tell what is going to be a problem, but sometimes it is just
unavoidable, and some of those unavoidable circumstances are places I
really want to go. Is it practical to install airbags that can be
adjusted from the driver's seat to raise the coach or at least the
rear end when necessary?

I don't want to permanently increase the height, but being able to
raise 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. If
it does work, can someone give me an idea of price range and amount of
lift I could expect?

Thnak you.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1501
I have a set of Firestone Ride Rite air lifts on my Kodiak. They lift
rear 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=sku
Hardest part of job was removing rear tires to install brackets and
bags. If you have a shorter wheelbase you may get more lift. My
wheelbase is 239".
My Kodiak has a air pump and tank. I also purchased a gauge and switch
to inflate bags from inside MH.
If you need/want to add a pump, switch and gauge. It will double the
price. I paid about $250 with shipping for the kit plus $85 for the
gauge with switch. 2362 kit has everything to fill bags with a tire
air chuck.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1504

So 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.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1505
I 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 the
bags 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 heavier
spring. Air bags were cheaper than springs and I could install them
myself.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1507

How 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.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1508
I 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 off
level approaches, drop mount is what hits.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1509
, "Ron Hall"
wrote:
Quote
I 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 off
level 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 any
sagging, but still need added height in the rear when pulling out of
some driveways and side roads, and some forest roads I used to travel
on look out of the question right now. Unless I find something
better, I think I will go with the Ride Rite bags before next season
and also weld a wheel or two onto the bottom of the receiver to ease
scraping when I hit.

I assume there is a switch on the dash to inflate/deflate the bags? I
am also planning on upgrading the shocks, probably to Koni. That
might give me a bit stiffer ride and help a little.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1510
It will raise the rear end. How much will depend how your MH is built
and loaded.
I ordered a gauge kit for my MH. My Duramax came with a air pump and
tank if yours does not have one then you will need to purchase #2097
kit 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

Re: Air Bags

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1511
Ron - how high the the pressure in the air tank on your rig? I have
the 6.6l with the engine brake, which requires the air. I have never
put a gage on the air tank and have been wondering if the pressure was
hight enough to run air bags.

, "Ron Hall"
wrote:
Quote
It will raise the rear end. How much will depend how your MH is built
and loaded.
I ordered a gauge kit for my MH. My Duramax came with a air pump and
tank if yours does not have one then you will need to purchase #2097
kit 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

Re: Air Bags

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1514

I have a duramax but to my knowledge no air tank or pump... do you have air brakes? Where is it mounted.

Denny

Re: Air Bags

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1515
It will reach just over 100 psi. I tried to use it to fill tires. But
it does not start back up until pressure gets below 90 psi. Does not
work good enough for tires. But works great for, air bags, exhaust
brake, and air horns. I do have a air chuck hooked up to the tank for
emergencies.

Re: Air Bags

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1517
Thanks 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:

Air Bags

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2717
So 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

Re: Air Bags

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2718

I haven't inspected my airbags, but will climb under the unit and check over the next few days.

Roger

Re: Air Bags

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2719
My 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.
Dennis

From: "rsri1@..."
To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 7:00:11 PM
Subject: Re: [KodiakChassisClassC] Air Bags

I haven't inspected my airbags, but will climb under the unit and check over the next few days.

Roger

In a message dated 7/1/2009 12:14:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, dbrford43@yahoo. com writes:

Re: Air Bags

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2720
I'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?

Re: Air Bags

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2721
When I looked the area over I thought of that and everthing is secure. All the hardware is in place.
Dennis

From: leej211979
To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 6:45:11 AM
Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Air Bags

I'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?

Re: Air Bags

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2722
I 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.