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Topic: Air suspension not working while being towed (Read 661 times) previous topic - next topic

Air suspension not working while being towed

Read this on irv2 forum and wondered how we can be sure our air bag suspension 'airs up' when connected to tow truck air pressure hose:

Following is copied from irv2:    Class A Coach being towed, did you know this? - iRV2 Forums

"This may only apply to Freightliner Chasis coachs, but I suspect it is the same across brands.

We have had the miss fortune to require our coach being towed twice in the past year. Two different tow companies, however in both cases after the tow we found damage to the interior, visible signs that the coach rode horribly during the tow.

The first time, the coach had sat for 3 weeks before the tow, and I was not present when they picked it up or when delivered. The coach has a minor slow air leak, if parked for weeks it airs down.

This latest incident we were present when the coach was towed. The night prior to the tow the coach was in a RV park, jacks were deployed and of course suspension air was dumped. When the driver hooked up his air line to the coach, I went in, released the brake and raised the jacks. Expectations were when the jacks were raised the suspension would air up. Upon arrival at the service center we entered the coach and found signs everywhere of a violent ride during the 140 mile tow. Entire contents of the bedroom closet were on the floor. The washer/dryer had bounced out of the cabinet (despite a 2" lip) and amazingly the tub had broken and fell into the bottom of the machine. A few dishes were on thee floor, and many items in the fridge had spilled.

After a discussion with the Tech at the FL dealers, and a call to FL Customer Service I learned that the air connection in fronnt of the coach only charges the #1 tank, the brakes. To air the suspension, air must be added via the connection on the air dryer. Our dryer has a schrader valve for this purpose.

Bringing this up, because 2 tow truck drivers were not aware of this, or were remiss in their job duties and towed our coach with essentialy no suspension. Hopefull we never have to do this again, however airing the suspension will be on my check list. My guess is this isn't widely known."

Re: Air suspension not working while being towed

Reply #1 –
Our coach has the attached notice posted left of driver.  Does this solve the issue?
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Air suspension not working while being towed

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Expectations were when the jacks were raised the suspension would air up.

Bringing this up, because 2 tow truck drivers...were remiss in their job duties and towed our coach with essentialy no suspension.
So, after having already had his coach damaged once by towing...

the iRV2 forum member, who obviously knows nothing about how his coach air system operates, "expects" the suspension to air up, but doesn't even bother to walk around and check to see if the air bags are inflated...

And then blames the second tow truck driver for damage to coach caused directly by his own lack of basic knowledge.

Typical, these days.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Air suspension not working while being towed

Reply #3 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
Our coach has the attached notice posted left of driver.  Does this solve the issue?

NO, that only says the suspension will operate IF there is air pressure (with the ignition on). 

So, really depends on why you are being towed.  No idea if the small auxiliary compressor for air leveling can keep up with suspension needs over the road.  And, if electrical issues force the tow, it may not be working either.

The tow truck should supply air to the coach's air system.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Air suspension not working while being towed

Reply #4 –
I had occasion to have mine towed. I called foretravel for the procedure. They had 2 basic rules;

1. the tow truck must supply air to the wet tank in the rear, not to the either of the front tanks
2. the ignition must be on during the tow. this supplies air to both the brakes and the suspension.

it scraped the rear mud flap but other than that, no damage.
Rick and Wendy Green
1998 U270 3600 The Coach Formerly known as Princess
Build# 5336
2007 Ford Explorer

Re: Air suspension not working while being towed

Reply #5 –
A small contractor's compressor is inexpensive on Craigslist and in conjunction with the generator, could be used when towing to keep the suspension at normal driving level. We have one to air the tires so they can do double duty. To much startup draw to use the inverter. Lots to think about before the coach is actually towed, key on, BOTH axles removed and caps fitted.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Air suspension not working while being towed

Reply #6 –
Each person should know their coach and what would work best. If we had to be towed I would raise the rear and pull the ride height fuse. The axles being pulled would eliminate drive shaft angle issues and the coach does not leak off the air bags at all. We have been parked here at Ohridge for 13 days now and still where they were when we parked. This would keep the coach from dragging it's tail. A coach that can't keep the bags up for the amount of time for the tow probably has major air leaks in the leveling system. DWMYH

Chuck
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean