RV repairs

I had Saturday off this week so I got busy doing upkeep on the RV. I dug a ladder out and washed it top to bottom. I dodn't realize how dirty it was until it changed color. It looks sharp now.

I also figured to flush the water heater (done, and boy was it full of gunk!) and also fill the water tank to test the plumbing. It seemd like it was taking a long time to fill until I noticed water running across the carpet and out the door. Oh joy! Now I get to track down leaks under the cabinets.

Horizon170 wrote:
I have had several vehicles equipped with air bags and have installed several sets on my vehicles and I have have had additional springs added to a couple. No comparison, Additional springs won out for me. I always had to add air from time to time to the bags.
Have the proper extra springs added ( not helpers as you need the lift all the time) and forget it.

Doh! :S I've used the extra springs in the past and forgot all about them. My pickup has two sets of extra springs from the factory and I doubt I'll go that extreme. However, I've used plate mount helpers several times and they should go right on.

To another poster about putting the spare in the trailer. I was so intent on making everything work smoothly, I forgot about other storage. Embarassing as I work in Logistics and that's what I do every day.

I have had several vehicles equipped with air bags and have installed several sets on my vehicles and I have have had additional springs added to a couple. No comparison, Additional springs won out for me. I always had to add air from time to time to the bags.
Have the proper extra springs added ( not helpers as you need the lift all the time) and forget it.

Why not just add some helper leaf springs to the bottom of the existing leaf springs. I have them on my 1990 Dodge and they work just fine. 15 minutes to install.

Air bags, like the others said. The downside of air shocks, is they can lift, but are anchored in a stock location. I used air shocks on a pickup to level it out when towing a car trailer years ago. One day one side was sagging badly, thought the shock had blown or the air line leaked the air out. The extra weight had ripped the shock mounting through the spring perch. Fixed that, installed air bags, trashed the air shocks.

I quite agree with others about air bags vs. air shocks. We installed Airlift 5000 bags (the newest model has an internal bump stop - the earlier versions did not) and their air compressor, as well as their wireless controller. Yes, it was a bit more money, but I sure like being able to sit in the driver's seat - underway if one wants - and both check and adjust the air bag pressures independently, all at the push of a button. We're VERY happy with our setup.

I can also monitor the tire pressure of all the tires - Lexor and trailer - from the driver's seat anytime the key is "on". That capability really "saved us" once when a trailer tire was going down while underway, the alarm sounded, we pulled over, solved the problem and were back underway shortly. Had we not known about the failing trailer tire, well, I have to wonder if it would have turned out the same way.

Separately, we usually tow a single axle V-nose enclosed trailer - motorcycle and other stuff inside - and I, too, was worried about the spare tire on our Lexor's left rear door. So, I put a short extension, OK, really a longer ball mount, in the receiver to move the ball out just a bit and it works very well.

To date, we have about 30,000 miles on our Lexor, 90 percent or so towing, and it works just as wanted and expected.

Don't forget to pay close attention to your ATF temperature when you're towing. "Burn" the ATF and your transmission may not be so happy. Yes, I know there are differing views on the max ATF temp, but I like to stay under 190 degrees with temporary rises - not to exceed 210 degrees - when climbing. It's almost never an issue when not towing, but when towing, the additional load does translate to an ATF temp rise. So, I watch it closely via an ATF temp gauge on the "A" pillar.

In short, to tow, if you set it up right, use a little prudence, 'tis fairly easy. Set it up wrong, or ignore prudence and/or limits, well, it might not be so much fun.

Cheers.

Air bags for sure. I use them on my truck and love them. It is well worth the extra time and money for sure

Air bags! 5,000 lb air bags! Separate lines to fill. Get everything including dual fill dash controls from Air Lift or other reputable company, but buy a $25 12V compressor from Harbor Fright. They're easily modified for this use by anybody with modest wrenching skills, and last as long or longer than the $100+ from the air bag companies in my experience. Be sure your rear shocks are up to snuff.

Jim, "Honk if you love Jesus. Text if you want to meet him."

Air bags will handle a load, my old Air Lift were rated for 5,000 lbs. Shocks are for ride comfort.
Plumb bags separately to reduce side to side rolling. You can start by running the individual air lines to the license plate holes. I always had to drill the holes out to 5/16" I think, so the valve stems were always handy. Air them up until the coach is level.

Put the spare tire in the trailer. Shoot for individually air filled shocks till you can raise the rear with the rearching or, I have had good luck by cutting off the ends of the main leaf and adding a new main leaf to the pack, this adds a leaf and all you need is a new center bolt. If you cut the old main leaf leave it as long as you can. JMHO