Forum Discussion

tnmotonana's avatar
tnmotonana
Explorer
Sep 05, 2015

DESPERATELY NEED ANSWERS

Got ready to load up for a Labor Day trip and hubby was doing his routine check of everything and found one of the air ride suspension bags is busted!!!! Don't know when or where this happened. Need advice as to what next? Do we have it towed somewhere to be fixed? Is it still useable at all? This is our first MH and we are lost!!!! It is a 32' class c if that helps any.
  • Was it an aftermarket kit? Might be replaceable where you sit? Not sure. Chassis and year?
  • I would think you could just drop the good one down to the minimum pressure, probably 5lbs, and you should be good to go. May not ride as good as you would like, but I don't think the world will end, without having the airbags pumped up.

    Mine is only a 24, but we only run 7.5 to 10 lbs anyway. Yours is longer and may ride a little looser in the back end, but don't see how that would be a safety issue or stop you from going. Remember you still have the rear suspension the van came with.

    Ps you would probably get more answers if this was in the class c forum
  • I found I had air bags by chance. I drove 5000 miles with zero pressure in them. It affected the ride height--but not much else.
  • On a previous 30' Class C that I purchased used I drove it over 200 miles before I found it had Firestone air bag that were only filled below the minimun pressure and it drove OK. Do what Winnietrey said and I think you will be OK to go. Dick
  • Check to see if it's the air bag that's busted or the tubing and fittings that connect to it. I think more often the tubing, Schrader valve, etc. tend to develop leaks/problems than the bags themselves, particularly when just sitting. I did have to replace the valve core in one of my airbag Schrader valves earlier this year, in fact. It would leak down slowly unless a valve cap was firmly in place. That's a simple enough fix.

    If it is the bag, you should be able to drive carefully to a suspension shop to get it replaced. These are just helper springs; the leaf springs are able to support the weight of the vehicle safely (though not necessarily comfortably, and they may be somewhat undersized for a long trip if the air bags were installed from the factory).
  • Please define "busted". Is it hanging down or just unable to hold air?
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Some of those parts are lifetime warranted. You may be able to get free replacements if you have documentation and ability to replace a part.

    Meanwhile, like noted above, Just Drive It. It's an air assist/addition, not an air suspension. Will work OK without.
  • I’ll climb aboard my trusty soapbox with a peeve of mine while the OP, "New Member" sorts out their crisis as to: "What-Do-We-Do-Now-Coach?" Most of us personally know that feeling of panic, when a trip is up, & things go sideways, & the clock becomes an enemy! I’ve found that forum senior members here are usually eager to respond to those hurried calls for help (this case in point - capital letters).

    But more often than not, NO follow up ever gets added by some members --- --- after that first plea for answers goes out.
    If clarification is being asked to pin-point the problem ... ... Nothing!
    If the problem is still ongoing after some tinkering ... ... Nothing!!
    If the problem disappeared or is resolved somehow ... ... Nothing!!!
    The thread quietly gets abandoned without a grateful Thank You, or even a quietly muttered KMA!
    End of Rant.

    In fairness because of the holiday weekend, I will monitor a few more days for ANY further word before offering my 2 cents worth of Advice 101.
    Awwhh Heck ... ... Here comes the advice right now:
    Attach a digital photo of the problem area so we all might be on the same page toward some sorta solution for you, tnmotonana.