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Topic: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection" (Read 685 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

After reading previous threads I called around locally to find 8 - 2" square metal tubing x 1/4" thick walls x 12" long.  Looks like I can get them cut and ready to pickup for $86.52 here in Sarasota or $67.43 up in Tampa.  Probably not worth the fuel to save the $20.

Is this still the right material for the job?

How would you recommend "protecting" the tubing to prevent rust/corrosion?

Thanks in advance.

Randy
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #1 –
1.  That should work fine.

2.  Powder coating?
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 Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #2 –
Two 6 ft long 6X6" pieces treated posts at Home Depot, cut to size, does not need painting. $18
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #3 –
Quote from: jcus –
Two 6 ft long 6X6" pieces treated posts at Home Depot, cut to size, does not need painting. $18

Remember we're only 34' not 40'  :-\ .  Don't want to displace the beer cooler and smoker!
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #4 –
Steel is the preferred material.  A can of spray paint will do just fine.
Mark Duckworth
2003 U320 4220
Build 6199, Motorcade 17971

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #5 –
I used aircraft aluminum tubing, 2 inch diameter, 1/4 inch wall - paint not needed, light and easy to handle. Mine are 6 inches long and I put them over the metal donut on the frame, which is inboard from the airbags. Gives same lift as 12 inch beside airbags. I use long handle kitchen thongs to place them.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #6 –
A 6X6 treated wooden post will support over 7000 lbs, using  8, your coach would have to weigh 56000 lbs to deflect the post.
Of course, this is assuming all 8 airbags catastrophically deflated at the same time.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #7 –
Randy,

You need four to work on one end or the other or eight to hold up the whole coach.  I got 2- 48"x 2" receiver tubes from Northern Tool and cut then into ~12" lengths.  It was less than $60 as I recall.  I bring 4 when we travel.  They were powder coated but I never painted the cut ends.  No need.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #8 –
Had mine cut from same 2" Sq 1/4" steel tube then painted them bright yellow.  Me or shop can't forget they are there then!

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #9 –
Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin –
I used aircraft aluminum tubing, 2 inch diameter, 1/4 inch wall - paint not needed, light and easy to handle. Mine are 6 inches long and I put them over the metal donut on the frame, which is inboard from the airbags. Gives same lift as 12 inch beside airbags. I use long handle kitchen thongs to place them.

I like that method better, I believe.  I know you are in Canada, but just where can one source that aluminum?  Anybody here in the Lower 48 that knows of a place, please respond also, thanks!
Tom & Barb Root
'95, 40' U-320C SE, bought from Dave Head, 8/2017  FT Motorcade # 18196 Coach Build# 4663 October '94
2015 VW Golf Sportwagen, 1991 Suzuki Samurai, Off-Road Custom Build-Up, W/Toyota 22re mill, and a 2005 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax/Allison TOADS Will also pull a MacGregor 26X Powersailor 2001 Model, owned since new!

Retired SR Rocket Mechanic, FT Sales Associate @  FT of California, Escondido CA.!  and Retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant (Hence Retired Guns! ) Avionics Tech, on A6E Intruder & OV-10 Bronco Aircraft!  V/N Era Vet, and Desert Storm Participant.  Happily Retired now!

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #10 –
Each should be 12 inc long not 11, 10. I suppose i would measure the travel height and do about 1 inch less?
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #11 –
"I suppose i would measure the travel height and do about 1 inch less?" Raising the coach all the way up, then measuring and making the supports somewhat less would give you the most work room and still allow enough clearance to get them back out again.

I have the screw-up ones that fit over the cross members. When I first got them I thought I'd be smart and put a couple in after leveling the coach. The front was pretty much all the way up, and I put one in and cranked it up tight. Of course, the coach settled a bit, but I didn't notice anything because the supports held. When came time to leave, though, I couldn't get one out. I ended up sticking a 12 ton jack in next to the support, jacking it up enough to loosen the support, then carefully lowering the coach until it was again resting on the support. Then I removed the jack, used the HWH system to raise the coach, then pulled out the support. Lots of work.

Now, when I put the support in I leave them loose about 1/2" so that they provide the necessary safety, but can still be easily removed.

I had a set of eight made and painted bright orange. That way I'll be able to see them, should I get called for food after I've finished the original project but before I get everything put away. (Food always takes priority.)

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #12 –
I cut an old 5th wheel jack up. They slide inside each other so they are really compact. 6 1/2" is as long as I can get in the chassis, where we put them as a tech, ours were aluminum. Or are you putting them by the air bags? I have 2 4x4's with sides boards on them to hold them in place in case of air bag failure.
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #13 –
Quote from: kb0zke –

I had a set of eight made and painted bright orange. That way I'll be able to see them, should I get called for food after I've finished the original project but before I get everything put away. (Food always takes priority.)


I painted mine white with a bright red candy cane stripe down the length of them.
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #14 –
Quote from: RetiredGuns –
I like that method better, I believe.  I know you are in Canada, but just where can one source that aluminum?  Anybody here in the Lower 48 that knows of a place, please respond also, thanks!
2"x6 steel pipe nipples from plumbing supply house might work also, or cut pipe
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #15 –
2"x2"x1/4" square tube cut to 11" gives you a bit of space above for placing. I liked the robust strength of that grade of steel, considering the weight they hold.
Woody & Sandy Lloyd
1993 Grand Villa
Unihome U280
Cummins / Allison
Build # 4379
 

Re: Air Spring Chassis Blocks "Protection"

Reply #16 –
My friend made mine out 2x2" white oak.
John
1998 U270 34'