Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 18, 2025 ...

Air bags on a GV 2900

February 23, 2013, 05:57:49 pm

My coach has leaf springs on the rear axle. It also has two air bags and at this time they have no air in them. How do you determin how much air to put in them and what do they do?
This coach is a rough ride in the rear. I blamed it on the bad tired, but maybe it's combination of both.

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #1 – February 23, 2013, 06:20:02 pm

Michael,

I would start by trying to find out proper RIDE HEIGHT specs for your chassis. 

You could also find out from James Triana if the rear bags were Foretravel factory or fit by a previous owner.

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #2 – February 23, 2013, 06:48:09 pm

Rough ride could be bad shocks. I had a SOB and when the leaf springs started to sag, I installed air bags. It brought the ride height back to stock and eliminated the rock and roll it had. Look on the bags for the manufacturer and the part number. You may be able to find the specs online. Mine took 48 psi but yours may be completely different.

Pierce

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #3 – February 23, 2013, 08:27:03 pm

Add on air bags are used to help carry more weight. return a vehicle to it propper ride height, help to take the bounce out of the ride,and can be used in drag racing to improve traction{ less wheel hop }. According to Firestone you find the proper psi by trial and error. Never less then 10psi { bad for the bags } or more then 90 psi. with 40-45 psi a good starting point Gam

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #4 – February 23, 2013, 08:32:51 pm

I would say those air bags were added by someone as I don't remember any coaches of that year coming from foretravel with rear air bags inb addition to the springs.

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #5 – February 23, 2013, 11:36:32 pm

Be careful.  Air bags are often installed to restore ride height altered by overloading.

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #6 – February 24, 2013, 10:08:45 am

For Years the Chevy chassis  ( P30 and P32 ) had air bags located inside the front coil springs.  They were a PITA, had to be constantly monitored and leaks were normal.  Changing one will take all Christianity out of you.
This may be what is in this rig.  I have never seen a Front Engine gas FT with a 460 Ford but as someone says there are all kinds of variations.
Gary B

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Re: Air bags on a GV 2900

Reply #7 – February 25, 2013, 09:25:59 pm

There were quite a few foretravels built on the john deere chassis which had the 460 ford engine

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