I’d like to discuss airbags, specifically rear airbags. Nothing hypothetical, I’m interested in what people have actually experienced. Here’s the problem I’m hoping to solve. My 1994 33’ Class A HR drives okay, handles okay, but after 20 years it seems to be hanging a little low in the rear. It’s not a huge problem, but several time I’ve scrapped my tail going over areas that just weren’t that elevated. I’m hoping that with a pair of airbags mounted on the rear axle I can achieve the rear end clearance the rig had when it was new (or at least newer). Harking back to the mid-1960’s and my hot rod days, I was also thinking of taking the rear springs apart and simply adding a leaf or two to each spring, however the airbags look easier to install. Has anyone out there had a problem similar to mine and successfully addressed it with airbags?

I recently had replacement springs installed on the rear of my P-30. The original springs had sagged.

I had airbags on my 32' gasser. They came with the RV so I can't really say what the before and after was. However, what I did note, which was a surprise, not only did it prop up the rear end, but it also reduced the side to side sway in cross winds and when big rigs pass you by. This was tested with the air bags at 20 lbs and then again at 60 lbs. There was a big difference. They do a good job, and from what I have heard, they are not terribly expensive. I believe mine were from Firestone.

They will work but they are a band aid to the problem. They also can have thier own issues with leaks. Unless your going to invest in an air pump system to manage them I would just get the springs rearched and beefed up. You will be happier.

I would certainly not use the term bandaid, especially in this situation.Air bags will both restore your previous ride height and better manage varying loads. "supplementary" air bags were standard on many P series chevy motorhome chassis, and have always been a popular aftermarket item.Re arching or replacing the leaf springs is a very permanent solution, what if you miss? you'd be stuck with the wrong height or an improper spring rate and bad ride...I too am an old time hot rodder... :)

The air bags can be used as a supplement to your regular springs. Most aftermarket air bags have a 5000 pound capacity so they do have some limitations. The advantage is that they are adjustable. With heavy crosswinds on a smooth road, you can pump them up to 80+ pounds and they will stiffen the ride and minimize sway. On rough roads you can drop the pressure back down for a smoother ride.

Using airbags for rear spring augmentation | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Geocritter
Explorer
Nov 21, 2014
After reviewing the posted comments here and researching costs/work between airbags and either replacement springs or added leafs, it was an easy decision to take a risk on the airbags. Adding a single leaf to both rear springs was about $260+shipping and a good deal of work. Replacing both rear springs was about $900+shipping and a lot of work. Installing airbags, based on the manufacturer’s detailed instructions, was an afternoons work for me (1-2 hours for a professional mechanic) and $320 which included shipping for the airbags. I’ll continue to augment this post as things progress.

Steve

BTW I'm not really a cushy ride freak, that said I'll try the airbags out for a season and if they merit the addition I'll add the air pump later.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Nov 21, 2014
The air bags can be used as a supplement to your regular springs. Most aftermarket air bags have a 5000 pound capacity so they do have some limitations. The advantage is that they are adjustable.
With heavy crosswinds on a smooth road, you can pump them up to 80+ pounds and they will stiffen the ride and minimize sway. On rough roads you can drop the pressure back down for a smoother ride.
JimM68
Explorer
Nov 21, 2014
I would certainly not use the term bandaid, especially in this situation.
Air bags will both restore your previous ride height and better manage varying loads. "supplementary" air bags were standard on many P series chevy motorhome chassis, and have always been a popular aftermarket item.

Re arching or replacing the leaf springs is a very permanent solution, what if you miss? you'd be stuck with the wrong height or an improper spring rate and bad ride...

I too am an old time hot rodder... :)
falconman
Explorer
Nov 21, 2014
They will work but they are a band aid to the problem. They also can have thier own issues with leaks. Unless your going to invest in an air pump system to manage them I would just get the springs rearched and beefed up. You will be happier.
2bzy2c
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2014
I had airbags on my 32' gasser. They came with the RV so I can't really say what the before and after was. However, what I did note, which was a surprise, not only did it prop up the rear end, but it also reduced the side to side sway in cross winds and when big rigs pass you by. This was tested with the air bags at 20 lbs and then again at 60 lbs. There was a big difference.

They do a good job, and from what I have heard, they are not terribly expensive. I believe mine were from Firestone.
enblethen
Nomad
Nov 21, 2014
I recently had replacement springs installed on the rear of my P-30. The original springs had sagged.

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Using airbags for rear spring augmentation

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