Driving with a deflated air bag?

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Driving with a deflated air bag?

April 13, 2013, 03:57:49 pm

I have a 1991 GV 280 Unihome. When parked, I leave it plugged into a 30 amp outlet and aired up. An air bag at the left rear wheel sprung a leak, and I turned off the air. I have searched "air bag" and read everything. It seems to be an easy replacement; but I don't have the equipment or the time to do the job myself. Engine running the air pressure goes up to about 110 pounds, but air leaks out of the bag enough that it will not raise that corner.

I have found a truck shop 5 miles away that will do the job; but I have to get it there.

My question: Can I drive the motorhome 5 miles slowly over a good rural (Texas) highway without doing damage?

Thanks in advance.

Alan Dodson

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #1 – April 13, 2013, 05:51:12 pm

You can try either putting a plug on that air line or clamp it off. You really have to be careful about the tire hitting the top of the wheel well and doing damage. Once you have done that, you can run the engine and see if it clears.

Second option would be to use something like JB Weld on the hole, let it set up and then see if it will hold. If it does, you can drive it carefully the 5 miles. I have used it on lots of stuff. I just did a temporary repair on a well pressure tank with 85 psi against it. Let it sit for 4 hours with a light bulb close and it's still holding. I would use a toothpick, screwdriver, etc, to try to get some inside the hole.

The hole is probably facing the tire so should be easy to get at. Mine was also the left rear.

Pierce

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #2 – April 13, 2013, 05:52:22 pm

Assuming you would have towing insurance.........hook it up.

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #3 – April 13, 2013, 06:53:29 pm

Quote

My question: Can I drive the motorhome 5 miles slowly over a good rural (Texas) highway without doing damage?

Answer is No. You need to get that corner up or it will damage the floor for sure.
To follow on Pierce's suggestion you'll probably need to jack the coach up on that corner just to get to the leak to try a temporary repair.
Another idea is see if the truck shop will send someone out.

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #4 – April 13, 2013, 08:52:34 pm

For a 5 mile drive at slow speeds , maybe in the middle of the night .I would undo the air line to the leaking bag -slide the feral nut down the tubing=slide a 6" long section of 3/8" i.d. rubber fuel line with a 1 1/2" long 3/8" bolt put into the free end onto the air line= Hose clamp hose to air line and to 3/8" bolt. start engine and inflate air bags to full height.Then take a measurement where you would install your safety support for the leaking bag.If less the 8 " install scissor jack in that area and use to lift to 8 ". With the air on and the air line to the leaking bag plugged the jack will lift the low Conner. Now cut a 8" long section of 4"x4" install where you would install the safety support.Remove jack and bring coach to travel height.Check 4"x4" to see if it moves.Take measurement at good air bag safety support area ,should be about 8 1/2".Just a guess may have to be a little longer. With the rear end up on 3 airbags and a temporary support I think there will be no problems with a slow ride on a good road. Unless the tow truck lifted the end with the bad bag the tire could still rub on top.This is just my though of the day .Gam

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #5 – April 13, 2013, 09:00:54 pm

here is my thought.
Get a tire repair patch and clean the bag well and affix the patch. (do this with out air in it) then let sit a bit then buy a couple of stainless clamps and put them around the bag and patch and tighten screw. Make sure that hole area is under clamp. Start coach and fill the bag with air. It should/maybe be sufficient to last way long enough to do the 5 miles.
John H

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #6 – April 13, 2013, 09:25:54 pm

If the shop is only 5 miles away and they have done the job before, just have them come out. This is easier than the front and shop guys should be able to change it in 15 minutes. Once the rig is jacked up and the old bag out, the new one takes 15 seconds at most to fit into place and only 5 minutes to tighten everything up.

Pierce

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #7 – April 13, 2013, 09:27:21 pm

The ride height valve sends air to both bags on the side that it controls at the rear. If one bag is leaking the other bag does not get enough air pressure to inflate either. If you can remove the air line at the leaking bag and cap it off then the good bag will probably be able to lift that side enough that you can drive it. Putting a clamp on the line will probably damage it requiring replacing the line. You will probably have to buy some fittings like a short pipe nipple and a cap, a shut off valve or whatever will fit the line and stop the air.

My RR leveling valve failed while I was driving and the bags deflated. I didn't notice anything until I stopped to see where the burning rubber smell was coming from. The outer tire did rub a hole in the plastic liner above the tire and melted some of the insulation above the plastic, not much damage though and the tire was not damaged. Now is probably a good time to replace all 4 bags on the rear, and maybe the front bags too. Sounds like they have reached the end of their life. I think this is the air spring you are looking for, but make sure as my coach is different. Air Bags I think I bought mine from this web site, but do a search with the correct part number for your coach. http://www.truckspring.com/Products/Firestone-Reversible-Sleeve-Air-Spring__W01-358-9448.aspx Another seller might have a lower price.

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Driving with a deflated air bag?

April 13, 2013, 03:57:49 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #1 – April 13, 2013, 05:51:12 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #2 – April 13, 2013, 05:52:22 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #3 – April 13, 2013, 06:53:29 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #4 – April 13, 2013, 08:52:34 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #5 – April 13, 2013, 09:00:54 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #6 – April 13, 2013, 09:25:54 pm

Re: Driving with a deflated air bag?

Reply #7 – April 13, 2013, 09:27:21 pm

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