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Topic: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ (Read 785 times) previous topic - next topic

Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

We are fairly confident that our innermost rear airbags (tag) are completely ruined.  Please see the attached photo.  The coach is currently leveled at the maximum extension at the rear and this is the first time we have noticed this.  We had ForeTravel inspect the airbags in April and they said they looked good and didn't need replacing at that time.  Can you please confirm that the bags need replacing?

If they do need replacing, are we safe to drive the coach to a nearby RV repair shop?  Can anyone recommend a good repair shop in the Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ area?  We're currently in Parker.  We'll likely get all of the airbags replaced so that we don't have further troubles down the road.

We also had Foretravel inspect the shocks earlier this year and were told they were in good condition, but we're thinking if we have to get the airbags replaced maybe we should get the shocks replaced at the same time just to be safe.  Both the shocks and airbags are original.

Thanks for the help!
2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #1 –
More than a bag looking "poorly" it looks like the suspension has allowed the top or bottom mount to move a significant amount.

Resolve that first/as well as air bag condition.
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: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #2 –
Everett's Auto Repair in Quartzsite gave me a quote to replace my shocks last winter...$1200 labor.  Brett's right (always) though, you need to find out what's up with the wacky bag alignment.  Woody.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #3 –
Had my shocks changed to Koni's despite four places saying they were good, the new shocks have really improved the ride, the rear does not rise as much as before and steering is now perfect without annoying wander.
Local truck place charged by the hour ($97 per hour) cost $600 for the 8 shocks.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #4 –
That is the way that the tag axle air bags are mounted. I had to replace ours on the 03. The others might be okay. Those need to be replaced but not sure how far would be safe to drive. I know that we drove ours over 4 thousand miles after I noticed them. We didn't have a choice due to an emergency that came up. I did however have 2 new ones with me and the tools to change them.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #5 –
That is the way that the tag axle air bags are mounted. I had to replace ours on the 03. The others might be okay. Those need to be replaced but not sure how far would be safe to drive. I know that we drove ours over 4 thousand miles after I noticed them. We didn't have a choice due to an emergency that came up. I did however have 2 new ones with me and the tools to change them.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #6 –
Quote from: red tractor –
That is the way that the tag axle air bags are mounted.

REALLY? 30 degree displacement between top and bottom mount OK???

Look at the other side-- same issue in same or opposite direction???
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: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #7 –
Yes that is how they were on the 03 and I have seen other coaches that are the same. It didn't look like it was the best design.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #8 –
Mine are the same fully extended. In normal travel mode, not that noticeable.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #9 –
Mine are the same also. Looks weird but it works.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #10 –
Air bags are tough.  Spray with soapy water.  If you don't have a leak you can drive until it is convenient to change them.  When you find a leak in one bag it is time to replace them all.  The sure check for shocks is to look for fluid leakage on the shocks.  If they are dry, take off one lower mounting bolt and try to exercise the shock through its full range.  If you find any spot with low resistance you should plan to replace them all.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #11 –
Thanks guys!  I don't believe any air is leaking out, since we're staying level back to front.  My main concern (not sure if it's obvious from the picture) is the fact that the outer rubber layer of the back side of the air bag is completely split, exposing the inner layer with the cords.  No idea how long it's been like that, since it's not something you would notice unless the rear of the coach was close to the max height.

We were hoping to get some solar installed this trip, but if we have to do all the air bags and shocks, then that is out for now.  But it would seem to me that the air bags in question would suffer from a lot more stress (bending) than the rest of the airbags, due to that funky angle they are at.



2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #12 –
We bought our coach in 2011 from FOT. The tag bags looked like yours or worse, I questioned the safety of them when we took delievery of the coach. FOT knew we were headed to Alaska with the Motorcade and agreed to replace them as part of the deal but never admitted they were in danger of failing. They are getting close to that condition again after 8 years and 88k miles. I'll replace them next year.
The geometry of the Ridewell Tag axle is past extreme with the coach lifted all the way up, at normal ride height it's ok but not linear up and down.
David Bethard
2003 U320 - 40ft. Build #6159
ISM 500hp
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
2021 Honda Goldwing DCT
 

Re: Airbag replacement near Parker, Quartzsite or Lake Havasu, AZ

Reply #13 –
Quick update... We've got the two tag airbags ordered (Goodyear 1R11-039, $380 for both) and have an appointment at Best Auto in Quartzsite to get them installed ($90 p/hour and estimated $135 per airbag).  We tried calling Everett's (mentioned earlier in this post) but they don't do airbags.  We checked the other airbags and they looked ok so we decided to save the extra dollars for solar and just change out the tag airbags.

2003 U320 38' tag
2003 Green Jeep Wrangler