Air Bags May 02, 2024, 08:04:12 pm I recently bought back my 2001 Twin King from a friend who owned it for about a year before deciding to go back to a fifth wheel. It is driving very well, no issues. He did add air bags to the rig, I think to get a smoother ride for his dog, who did not like to travel in the rig, another reason for selling it back to me. Where can I get information about managing these and should I keep them? Personally, I do not notice a difference. I do live near Statkus Engines in Albuquerque, but I am not sure if I should be going to an RV mechanic. Obviously I am not technical. Thanks in advance.
Re: Air Bags Reply #1 – May 02, 2024, 08:25:07 pm Do you have any papers about the air bags with a brand or model or anything like that? The following makes some assumptions about what you might have...In general, if you're happy with the ride right now you can leave it alone. If you can find the inflation valves (they will look like a tire stem valve, but with not tire...), you could see what air pressure they are currently set at using a tire gauge. In the future, you can use this value as a target if you need to add some pressure. Many air bag systems revert back to the original suspension when the air pressure is removed. If you have that type, and are happy with the ride, you can just leave well enough alone. If you can find a brand, or model, or something like that, someone should be able to offer more specific advice.Rich 1 Likes
Re: Air Bags Reply #2 – May 02, 2024, 08:48:43 pm Airbags should not be needed if the rig is not overloaded. My experience is they make the ride harsher since the spring rate is increased when they are pressurized.I have seen airbags used on 24’ E350s. The pre-2003 short LDs have the lighter 11,000-lb GVW chassis and are easily overloaded. Adding a rear sway bar isn’t a bad idea on E350 LDs, it improves the handling.I suggest weighing the rig to see how close to being “full” it is. If underweight, rides OK, and isn’t sitting low in the rear, I suggest removing the airbags or keeping them slightly inflated. Most airbags require a minimum pressure, you should be able to find this information online.IMO, airbags are another thing to wear out or break.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Air Bags Reply #3 – May 06, 2024, 10:47:53 am I disagree with Larry.Airbags came with our LD and they make a smoother ride (sit in the back end wi to someone driving and you notice a big difference).A smoother ride lessens wear and tear in your coach - less wiggling around as you drive. That is the biggest plus.This means less jolting on windows (less cracks over time), less stress on fasteners, and less movement of items inside cabinets.They also help reduce wiggling as you walk around in the parked LD. But you can also use then to help level (raise/lower the back end).We don’t notice any stiffness difference in the ride (or any other differences while driving):No maintenance needed, check pressures before a trip when you check tire pressures.We are definitely installing components for a smoother ride on our new RV right up front.
Re: Air Bags Reply #4 – May 06, 2024, 06:30:26 pm Quote from: Jane and Scott - May 06, 2024, 10:47:53 amI disagree with Larry.Airbags came with our LD and they make a smoother ride (sit in the back end wi to someone driving and you notice a big difference).They also help reduce wiggling as you walk around in the parked LD. But you can also use then to help level (raise/lower the back end).We are definitely installing components for a smoother ride on our new RV right up front.If you reread what I wrote before, it’s the lightweight E350s that I have seen with airbags, they have a much lighter set of rear springs and need suspension help since most are overloaded. The E350s have a much lower GVW. (11,000- lbs ) compared to the more common E450 (14,050 or 14,500 lbs). I installed airbags on our 1983 G30 LD (same low 11,000 lb GVW) to raise the sagging rear, it helped but I could feel the decrease in ride quality YMMV.I have never seen an E450 with airbags, there isn’t a need as long as the load is kept within the rear axle’s GVW limit.Larry
Re: Air Bags Reply #5 – May 06, 2024, 11:57:30 pm I appreciate everyone’s input. Looks like I need to get the airbag manual. It’s a learning curve!
Topic: Air Bags (Read 237 times)
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Topic: Air Bags (Read 237 times)
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