RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Air bags inflated or deflated when stored

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Topic: Air bags inflated or deflated when stored

Posted By: slemnah on 12/10/10 10:26pm

I have a diesel pusher with air bag suspension. When I store the vehicle should I dump the air out of the airbags and let the coach sit on the frame or leave the air in the bags? Also, should I lower the jacks or let it rest on the tires?

Posted By: wagonmaster2 on 12/10/10 10:50pm

I have been dumping the air bags as soon as I park it then lower the jacks just enough to take some of the weight off the tires. Been doing this for the last 6 winters but have no comparison for doing either way. I think I've read some place that even if you don't dump the air bags they will lose a lot of the air in a short time anyway.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

Posted By: Golden_HVAC on 12/10/10 10:57pm

Hi,

Air bags have a minimum desired inflation pressure. For going down the road, I think you want to have at least 35 PSI, while in storage dropping down to 10 - 15 PSI will still keep their shape. You just don't want deformed air bags.

GM used to use airbags in some of their front suspensions, much different than your set-up. Those where mounted in the center of a coil spring, and if you did not keep 15 PSI in them, the bag material can work it's way in between the spring and it's moving parts, and get pinched. That caused a leak, and then you needed to replace them.

For a motorhome with air bag suspension, I don't think that will complicate the situation, as there is no coil spring around the air bag.

Fred.

Posted By: RognBon on 12/10/10 11:40pm

I always dump the air when returning the coach to storage. I don't extend the jacks because the coach is parked on asphalt and when it's hot the jack pads can sink into the asphalt.

Rodger.

RognBon
1997 Monaco Dynasty 40'
Cummins 8.3 325 HP
2008 Ford Edge Toad

Posted By: Tom/Barb on 12/10/10 11:46pm

slemnah wrote:

When I return to the house and put the coach on the pad, I drop the jacks to the ground, then dump the air, the weight of the coach is on the jacks and not on the tires. the coach remains at its normal height.

2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.

Posted By: Snomas on 12/11/10 06:00am

I park on a slight grade (5%) and don't do either. The air will eventually leak out and drop the coach.

2006 WINNEBAGO ASPECT 29H Ford E450 Super Duty
2018 F150 Lariat Crew Cab, Coyote 5.0 L RWD

Posted By: gonesouth on 12/11/10 05:19pm

I use the airlevelling and think it stays up on the bags for months without moving. The brake air system will leak away all it's air in a few weeks, but the suspension air system stays up. We generally find some settling of the ground underneath the tires after a couple of months, but the air system takes up the slack.

I would leave it up on the air suspension. Less chance of twisting your frame and popping a windshield.

Currently planning for retirement.....planning to build a small home in Nova Scotia for summers and someday year-round. Trying to sort out a good way to spend winters in central Florida as I can't drive anymore.

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