Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

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Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

April 28, 2016, 01:24:22 pm

The coach is a 2003 U295 with under 60,000 miles. Currently 13 years old, the fuel lines and air bags appear to be in good shape. At least, no leaks that I know of.

Next year, 2017, I plan to drive a full loop of the USA. It is very likely we will stop at FOT for the Ladies Driving School.

Should I have the air bags and fuel lines replaced before the trip, during the trip at Nac, or wait until there is a problem? Also, how long do OEM shocks last? Should I add shocks to my list? Anything else?

If I have the work done in Nac, should I take it to FOT, MOT, or some other shop?

And one more item, where in Nac should I take it for a remodel of the bathroom? The shower wall has a crack that has been "repaired" twice by a reputable local shop (actually a Foretravel warranty service center), and the crack keeps coming back. They needed to use an outside source for Corian repair, no such talent in house.

thanks

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #1 – April 28, 2016, 02:28:33 pm

I would look into airbags We have a 2002 U295 with 95000 and we blew an airbag last November while driving south to winter in Florida. We were able to get it replaced the next day at Tennessee RV. While talking to mechanic he said he is starting to see 2000-2001 coaches coming in for airbag replacement, I would definitely put airbags on the must do list

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #2 – April 28, 2016, 03:06:18 pm

I would second the vote to do air bags. We replaced our front and tag in 2014 and rear in 2015. The ride is noticeably improved and looking at the old bags, it was getting close to time to replace. Even with the exterior covering, rubber does age out. Of the 2 shops we had do our work, we much preferred that done at Bernd's. We have no personal experience having MOT do air bags but have no reason to think they wouldn't do a good job.

If you are the original owner of the coach, the Koni shocks may have a lifetime warranty. If not, consider upgrading to Koni FSDs. Again, improved ride (but not necessary if you don't have an issue with the ride).

We have yet to hear of anyone with a 2002/2003/2004 needing fuel line replacement. Not sure if the materials are different than in prior years.

For bathroom remodel at present we would strongly recommend David Flanagan's shop at FOT. While I know MOT is building their remodeling department, we haven't personally used them for remodel; we have only used David F. (if it wasn't something we could do ourselves) and have always been very pleased with his team's work

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #3 – April 28, 2016, 03:57:30 pm

MOT just did my 8 air bags, in less than 3 hours, @ 8 hours labor. They put 4 guys on the job, and they got other things done in the less than 7 hours we were inside.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #4 – April 28, 2016, 04:01:57 pm

I replaced all my air bags and shocks with 85K on them last summer. Bags were checked but not leaking. However, I would rather have a shop that I know and trust do the preventative maintenance. Shocks were replaced with the koni FSD'S. The ride was noticeably improved. You just hear bumps now not feel them. I feel the price for the improved ride and piece of mind that the air bags should not blow somewhere far from home was worth the price. David

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #5 – April 28, 2016, 04:41:02 pm

Tom,
"recommend David Flanagan's shop at FOT" I second that.
FOT did two round of updates, upgrades and service work on my previous FT (U225) I was very satisfied, hence as I type this my 2003 (your FT's classmate:-) is in the shop at FT getting few things done. This round is to take care of the "needs" which includes few things to be taken care of inside by David Flanagna's shop. I believe MOT equality good, but I have not had the opportunity to use their service as extensively as I have used FT.
AL

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #6 – April 28, 2016, 04:46:37 pm

OK, I think I will see if there is anyone in Southern California qualified to swap out the air bags, and get that done before starting out on a long trip next year. I'm certain anyone capable of doing the air bags would also be good for the shocks.

Please tell me where I can buy the Koni FSD shocks and air bags online to save a few dollars. Part numbers would be good to make certain I get the correct ones.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #7 – April 28, 2016, 05:07:02 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – April 28, 2016, 04:46:37 pm

OK, I think I will see if there is anyone in Southern California qualified to swap out the air bags, and get that done before starting out on a long trip next year. I'm certain anyone capable of doing the air bags would also be good for the shocks.

Please tell me where I can buy the Koni FSD shocks and air bags online to save a few dollars. Part numbers would be good to make certain I get the correct ones.

If you have the same air bags as my 1999 I just bought 8 1R-11-150 good years at Van Horn truck parts for $119.00 ea.
Call Foretravel if you can't find the number for yours

This thread pushed me to change mine before my next trip.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #8 – April 28, 2016, 05:35:59 pm

[quote author=Tom Lang link=msg=230891 date=146187639 Please tell me where I can buy the Koni FSD shocks and air bags online to save a few dollars. Part numbers would be good to make certain I get the correct ones.[/quote]

We have different coaches, but the Koni FSD shocks we have are the best ever. Look for # number, any pro will know the upgrade of the the shock. Mr. Wolfe mite chime in as to what is best.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #9 – April 28, 2016, 05:38:33 pm

Tom,
Your current shocks, are they Bilstein? Mine are Bilsteins & I believe they were OEM.
It rides very sweet. I just don't know how much life the Bilsteins should provide.
AL

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #10 – April 28, 2016, 05:49:17 pm

Quote from: propman – April 28, 2016, 05:38:33 pm

Tom,
Your current shocks, are they Bilstein? Mine are Bilsteins & I believe they were OEM.
It rides very sweet. I just don't know how much life the Bilsteins should provide.
AL

Tom - my 2005 - 295 has OEM Bilsteins. I thought about replacing but with a set of new Michelins AND new bags all around the ride experience has increased greatly. I'm sure that new shocks are in my near future, but I was amazed at the difference new shoes and bags provided.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #11 – April 28, 2016, 05:54:39 pm

Quote from: propman – April 28, 2016, 05:38:33 pm

It rides very sweet. I just don't know how much life the Bilsteins should provide.

Those are great shocks, we ran them for years. If they are the original shocks and you've got close to 80 k on the coach, replace them; you won't believe the difference. I think the Koni shocks are better, but the mounts may be different.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #12 – April 28, 2016, 06:14:48 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – April 28, 2016, 04:46:37 pm

Please tell me where I can buy the Koni FSD shocks and air bags online to save a few dollars. Part numbers would be good to make certain I get the correct ones.

Tom,

The best price on the air bags was Michigan Truck Springs, with free shipping:

www.truckspring.com

I bought the Koni FSD's from Foretravel. With the 10% Motorcade discount, they were the best price, but shipping was more than I expected. Since MTS has free shipping on the Air bags, they might also on the shocks; I don't know,

Will try to find my receipts and get part numbers.

Trent

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #13 – April 28, 2016, 06:18:27 pm

2 more cents - given we all can keep this post on topic...

About fuel lines: previous owner - 50k, our mileage 40k, so 90k total over 11 years.

Here are a couple of pics on our coach's fuel lines inside and out before they were replaced last year:

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #14 – April 28, 2016, 07:41:14 pm

My two cents worth since I am the nervous Nellie on this site. I do preventive replacements...too much exposure to aviation, and too few mechanical skill sets. Big difference in our coaches age but I was starting a 4500 mile loop after purchasing Honu in Waco with 78,000. I took my coach to Bernd's shop in Nacogdoches and did the bags, fuel lines, belts, tensioners and Koni FSDs on the return and a bunch of stuff beyond your question.. Big difference with the shocks as 6 out of 8 Bilsteins were shot. The Koni shocks were from JEGS.com around 160 and they shipped free. JEGS knew what was required for my coach and I verified it Koni 8805-1010 but yours may be different. I had them shipped to Bernds shop. Considering they were replacing the originals you can imagine the difference. I am glad the bags were replaced and realized if I had stayed with the older they would have had to make up the work load of the failed shocks for our loop. Not a good combination.

The fuel lines are probably going to cost less in Nac. They have worked them many times and labor was 20 an hour less than what I was charged in CA for the steering box failure.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #15 – April 28, 2016, 07:46:47 pm

I don't know who I would trust to do the air springs in SoCal, so no help there... but I did both air springs and stocks at the same time, as both jobs are made considerably easier by taking the wheels off, it makes sense to take care of both at the same time. However, if I were to do it again I would leave the wheels on and take the trim and fenders off. I doubt if you will find a shop that will take that approach for fear of damaging the paint...
Don

Quote from: Tom Lang – April 28, 2016, 04:46:37 pm

OK, I think I will see if there is anyone in Southern California qualified to swap out the air bags, and get that done before starting out on a long trip next year. I'm certain anyone capable of doing the air bags would also be good for the shocks.

Please tell me where I can buy the Koni FSD shocks and air bags online to save a few dollars. Part numbers would be good to make certain I get the correct ones.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #16 – April 28, 2016, 09:16:37 pm

Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) – April 28, 2016, 07:46:47 pm

I don't know who I would trust to do the air springs in SoCal, so no help there... but I did both air springs and stocks at the same time, as both jobs are made considerably easier by taking the wheels off, it makes sense to take care of both at the same time. However, if I were to do it again I would leave the wheels on and take the trim and fenders off. I doubt if you will find a shop that will take that approach for fear of damaging the paint...
Don

Don, were you able to get to the air line on top of the front bags, front axle without making a home made tool? I am about to change mine and really don't want to take the fenders off.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #17 – April 28, 2016, 09:44:05 pm

I was in Texas at Bill Chaplin's warehouse when I did mine (Thanks Bill!), and I was fortunate enough to borrow a homemade tool from John Kerbs. However, as I recall, that didn't help on the front airline. On those, I cut a hole in the stairwell (from inside the coach) on the curb side, and in the street side front compartment to access the front airlines. I also took out the docking lights to get a better view of it, but on yours, that might not help. Having the fenders off would make it pretty simple... just saying, but I haven't done that yet. John Haygarth is a strong advocate for removing the fenders for access to many items (such as installing a resonator), he has won me over. When I do the resonator install, I will take off the fender for that project.
Don

Quote from: craneman – April 28, 2016, 09:16:37 pm

Don, were you able to get to the air line on top of the front bags, front axle without making a home made tool? I am about to change mine and really don't want to take the fenders off.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #18 – April 28, 2016, 10:23:55 pm

FOT replaced air bags on our 1997 about three years ago. One of the bags started leaking while the coach was in for replacement of fuel lines. Generator would not keep running. It appeared to be sucking air into the fuel line. Supply lines to the Cummins were showing seepage. That means fuel lines and bags were pretty much worn out out at about 16 years. FOT replaced air bags without removing any other parts or drilling any access ports.

I had the fuel supply line replaced again last fall. I was having the fuel tank removed to clean the layer of sludge on the bottom. The plastic fuel line that FOT installed was kinked near the fuel tank. Bernd put in a rubber fuel line. I don't think the kink was causing any problems, but we thought it was prudent to replace the line while the fuel tank was out.

I had FOT replace Bilstein shocks with Koni FSD shocks about five years ago. Ride was a bit more firm, but I didn't perceive a lot of difference from the Bilsteins that had about 70K miles on them.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #19 – April 30, 2016, 12:01:06 pm

Quote from: craneman – April 28, 2016, 05:07:02 pm

If you have the same air bags as my 1999 I just bought 8 1R-11-150 good years at Van Horn truck parts for $119.00 ea.

This thread pushed me to change mine before my next trip.

With shipping (UPS ground) these are still under 140.00 ea. Thats $120 savings for 8.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #20 – April 30, 2016, 12:09:15 pm

BTW, paid $170 ea for air bags, for 7 with Motorcade discount yesterday at MOT they had them in stock. (I only needed 7 since I was carrying a new spare) figured I could save the $$$ and buy my own parts, but it was sort of an impulse deal and didn't figure $20-30 a bag trumped getting it done right then.)- MOT also charged 8 hours labor to install - had two guys on it - done easily in the AM.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #21 – April 30, 2016, 12:48:33 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 30, 2016, 12:09:15 pm

BTW, paid $170 ea for air bags, for 7 with Motorcade discount yesterday at MOT they had them in stock. (I only needed 7 since I was carrying a new spare) figured I could save the $$$ and buy my own parts, but it was sort of an impulse deal and didn't figure $20-30 a bag trumped getting it done right then.)- MOT also charged 8 hours labor to install - had two guys on it - done easily in the AM.

Did they take off the fenders?

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #22 – April 30, 2016, 01:18:51 pm

No, I think they do enough they are good at it. Not sure if they have any home made specialty tools

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #23 – April 30, 2016, 01:21:02 pm

I got shocks FSD shocks from here best price I found: Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - KONI Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com

It took a while to get them (like 3-4 weeks I think) because they didn't have in stock. They may have in stock now.

Re: Air Bags, Fuel Lines, and bathroom remodel, where and when?

Reply #24 – April 30, 2016, 02:22:17 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 30, 2016, 01:18:51 pm

No, I think they do enough they are good at it. Not sure if they have any home made specialty tools

I'd be good at it after doing 2 or 3 bags.
Is there a thread on to this forum that tells me how?

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