Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Dennis H on April 20, 2025, 11:05:02 am

Title: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Dennis H on April 20, 2025, 11:05:02 am
Inspection revealed that it is time to replace the air bags. I do not know if they are original or not but they are cracking on the outside so need to be done. To my surprise the shocks were previously replaced with Koni's. The lower shells are rusty but with the suspension extended I was able to see the labels that were under the dust covers. FSD's. 
So, my thought is to replace the bags with larger diameter to lower the pressure for a given weight and provide a slight volume increase to soften impacts. Has anyone done this? Part numbers that are known fits? Any other thoughts or ideas?
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Michelle on April 20, 2025, 11:47:46 am
To my surprise the shocks were previously replaced with Koni's. The lower shells are rusty but with the suspension extended I was able to see the labels that were under the dust covers. FSE's.

Pretty sure all Foretravels since the mid 1990's came with Koni shocks, although can't speak to the ones now being built on Spartan chassis.  Originally red adjustable.  Many of us replaced them with gold FSDs.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: John44 on April 20, 2025, 01:34:37 pm
My thought,Do not try and reinvent the wheel.happy easter.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Geodmann on April 20, 2025, 02:48:34 pm
I can't think of a reason to reinvent the airbags.  I will say that i don't think that cracks in them are indicative of imminent failure or need for replacement.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: rbark on April 20, 2025, 03:20:50 pm
I believe someone posted years ago that they were surprised at how thick our air bags are.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Geodmann on April 20, 2025, 04:43:29 pm
I saw that post as well and cut one of mine open and agree that they are very thick and the cracks were only superficial. Also i have never heard of a catastrophic airbag failure.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: turbojack on April 20, 2025, 07:21:34 pm
I say go for it. Let us know the results. 

Foretravel used a way bigger air bag then Country Coach did when I was comparing Country Coach to a Foretravel.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: dsd on April 20, 2025, 07:58:52 pm
Good luck fitting bigger bags. IMine has no extra room. I think if you want to increase their volume Pig tanks would be easier to accomplish.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Michelle on April 20, 2025, 09:28:57 pm
Good luck fitting bigger bags. IMine has no extra room. I think if you want to increase their volume Ping tanks would be easier to accomplish.

The other option if one isn't happy with the ride would be Active Air, but I haven't seen any indication that HWH is installing this aftermarket at the present time.  That info is probably a year old, so they might entertain it at this point.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Dennis H on April 21, 2025, 12:32:17 am
Pretty sure all Foretravels since the mid 1990's came with Koni shocks, although can't speak to the ones now being built on Spartan chassis.  Originally red adjustable.  Many of us replaced them with gold FSDs.

Gold FSDs are what is there.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Dennis H on April 21, 2025, 12:35:31 am
Good luck fitting bigger bags. IMine has no extra room. I think if you want to increase their volume Ping tanks would be easier to accomplish.

Yes, considering ping tanks. Since replacing the bags anyway thought I would start there.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Dennis H on April 21, 2025, 12:38:13 am
The other option if one isn't happy with the ride would be Active Air, but I haven't seen any indication that HWH is installing this aftermarket at the present time.  That info is probably a year old, so they might entertain it at this point.

HWH is not providing systems or kits for Active Air, and they are not doing any installs. Seems they have no intention.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Dennis H on April 24, 2025, 09:54:24 am
Trying to source or get specs on the air bags. Does anyone have the part numbers? This is a 2008 with tag.
Thank you,
Dennis
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: turbojack on April 24, 2025, 10:18:31 am
Trying to source or get specs on the air bags. Does anyone have the part numbers? This is a 2008 with tag.
Thank you,
Dennis
I would send Foretravel Parts an email.  They will give you the part # and their price..  I have done that for many parts on my coach.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Dennis H on April 24, 2025, 10:58:45 am
I would send Foretravel Parts an email.  They will give you the part # and their price..  I have done that for many parts on my coach.

They gave me a price plus the shipping. Will not give part numbers or specs except if I was stranded roadside.
Beyond the shipping cost the price was reasonable. I am looking for specs to investigate other options.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: Geodmann on April 24, 2025, 04:14:41 pm
I usually find their prices to be quite reasonable.  Shipping costs from them give me sticker shock.
Title: Re: Suspension Air Bag Replacement options 2008 Nimbus
Post by: kgrover on April 24, 2025, 05:04:12 pm
There should be some numbers on the bag itself that you can lookup.