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Topic: Replacing airbag labor estimates (Read 6084 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacing airbag labor estimates

What have you all paid in hours for the 8 bags to be replaced. Labor only as I have the new bags. I just want to pay a fair price as a shop will be doing it for me. Thanks
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #1 –
You will probably not get a good labor price as you have the parts. Kind of like walking into a cafe with eggs and asking how much to cook them. Most shops make money on parts and can give better hourly rates. One of those times a mobile mechanic might be cheaper.
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.
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Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #2 –
Dan,

Where are you located.  An answer for Texas is not relevant if you are in California.
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: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #3 –
I would go to a truck shop and tell them you have the special air bags that took time to find. Don't go to a RV shop. Truck shops replace air bags all the time. My neighbor said it took him 15 minutes to do one on his big rig but he was handy and they were in a easy to get at location. For sure, you don't want to go where they have never done one before. Have new nuts for the bags as they probably didn't come with any. Mine didn't. Up to you to decide if you want the little fenders removed to get at them. I didn't but it will take longer and cost more if you don't. Make sure they bubble test all the connections after they are done.

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

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #5 –
I had them replaced by a couple of guys in Nacogdoches. It took them about two hours, however, they were very experienced with these rigs. To get to the front bags, they removed the docking lights.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #6 –
Good ideas. I'm in Colorado but my trucking company doesn't care if you provide parts. very unusual, I know. 2 hours is incredible. I was figuring 4 to 5 hours average
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #7 –
The shop I use charged me 4 hours @ $94 to change out 8 bags that I supplied. Four are easy to change and four are difficult to get at the nuts.
The labor rate will be much more expensive if you are in a big metro area, Like Brett said, having said that our Cummins shop charges $150 per hour for trucks and $175 for motor homes.
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: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #8 –
Good ideas. I'm in Colorado but my trucking company doesn't care if you provide parts. very unusual, I know. 2 hours is incredible. I was figuring 4 to 5 hours average. Cummins here charges $225 for mh's. Don't use them anymore
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Good ideas. I'm in Colorado but my trucking company doesn't care if you provide parts. very unusual, I know. 2 hours is incredible. I was figuring 4 to 5 hours average. Cummins here charges $225 for mh's. Don't use them anymore
Holy Cow! My local truck shop in Walla Walla, Wa. Charges $90 per hour and they have done great work over the years that I have been using their services.  http://www.mountain-hi.com/
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
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Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #10 –
Caution - On the front airbags technicians sometimes reroute the airlines in such a way that they are easier to install, but also a Blown tire will shred and take out those re routed airlines. Check your front airbag air lines and imagine if your front tire shreds, would the flapping tire shreds be able to damage the front airbag airline? IF the answer is yes, your airlines are not installed correctly, and should be changed.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #11 –
Truck shops have experienced mechanics. Yes, a big rig has air bags that are easier to get at but unless there is a lot of corrosion, the bottom nuts on all the them come off in 15 seconds for both with a air gun that ALL truck shops will use. Only one of the top nuts is harder to get at and that's only on four of the bags. The wheels don't have to come off and when you jack the frame, you don't even have to compress the air bag. Check my old posts with photos. Let's don't make air bag installation any harder than it really is.

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

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #12 –
Great info. I'll be sure to have them keep the routing of the factory lines and not let them rip me on the total hours.
Thanks again
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #13 –
Read the threads from those who have done it themselves.

You will learn some tricks that will cut labor time-- whether you do it or pay someone knowing the tricks will save time.

The first time anyone does anything, it takes longer than after they know the short cuts.
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: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #14 –
We did ours three years ago - in a campground - with a mobile mechanic. The best way, in my opinion, to do this is to remove the trim so you can unscrew the panels that surround the wheels. The issue we came up with, before we removed panels is that one of the bags of a set has a bolt that is almost impossible to get at without removing the panels. The nut needs to be torqued, so you need access.
My wife and I and a brother-in-law went ahead of the mechanic and removed the panels. once the bags were in, it was easy to reinstall the panels and the trim. A little white caulk sealed the seams. I used the 11" long 2" square tubing safety stands between the frames (two, one each fore and aft of the wheel). If you have a long-handled torque wrench, you can do it yourself. Sweat equity instead of paying a mechanic.
Woody & Sandy Lloyd
1993 Grand Villa
Unihome U280
Cummins / Allison
Build # 4379

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #15 –
Just a thought - you might want to change the shocks at the same time. We did air bags one year and shocks the next. They said it would have been a lot easier to do them all at the same time as having the air bags out makes access to the shocks that much easier.

FWIW, seven of the eight air bags went out without a fuss - 15 minutes start to finish. The eighth one, though, made up for the others. They ended up cutting the old bag apart. The new one went in without a fuss.

We had it done in Nac at the shop next to MOT, forget the name. This was right at the time they went under. The mobile mechanic (Reece?) came out and did the work for the same price that the other place was charging.

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #16 –
Yes. it has new shocks but that would be a good idea for sure. Thanks
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Mike_Sandra_Lloyd –
The issue we came up with, before we removed panels is that one of the bags of a set has a bolt that is almost impossible to get at without removing the panels. The nut needs to be torqued, so you need access.

What might happen if the nut is not torque to specs?
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Replacing airbag labor estimates

Reply #18 –
I've never torqued any of the nuts. Just a shade tree yank. I did put stainless nuts and washers on except for the big one. The bags don't come with nuts.

If there is not any corrosion, it's a quick on and off. If rusty, Liquid Wrench the day before.

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