Forum Discussion

zman-az's avatar
zman-az
Explorer
May 31, 2014

Diesel pusher height, lower the height with air suspension.

Looking a a Winnie journey diesel pusher. Literature says height is 12'10". My shop has a 13' door. Is this height based on the air bags full and if I need a inch or two can I lower the suspension to get it thru the door?
  • zman,
    While you can lower the height of the coach using the air bags, depending on the make-up of the system, it may begin to re-inflate them, the minute you release the parking brakes, not sure, might be something either someone else needs to chime in on or, verify. One more important fact. When some diesel coaches are lowered due to deflated air suspension systems, the front wheels tuck up fairly high into the front wheel wells. When that happens, and, if you were to drive the coach and turn the front wheels (to steer it), some have experienced severe body damage 'cause the front wheels hit the fiberglass.

    Again, this may need to be verified on the particular coach you're thinking of buying. If, it's one of them that could experience body damage during turning or, steering, with low inflation of the bags, but, you can drive or back it in a straight line to either back it in or, drive it out, then you're good to go. Good luck.
    Scott
  • The height listed is the ride height as you go down the road. You can lower the height to get through your garage door but the speed of the coach is limited. The reason being the severe angle of the driveshaft from the trans to the rear end. It does put a strain on the U-joints
  • The height is based on the air bags being at normal ride height. You can move the coach with the air out but you are sitting on the bumpers so the ride is very bumpy and you have very little ground clearance. If you have a paved smooth approach it should not be a problem. I have forgotten to inflate my air bags a couple of times before moving the coach on some not so smooth surfaces and have not suffered any ill effects so far.