Air bags on a Class A gasser

[wjschill]

Do air bags really help with the ride and sway of the coach? Also, is it best to have them on front and back?
If so, what cost can I expect for installation?

Newby to motorhomes, so don't laugh!!

Thanks,

Skip

[Stim]

There are hours of reading on here about Ford harsh riding/handling.
The only thing that would make air bags harsh riding is over inflating for the load.
A compressor/adjustable system would give the driver tuning control for the conditions.

[rgatijnet1]

dodge guy wrote:
A bolt on air spring (bag) will only make the coach ride harsher as it increases the spring rate. To truly get a steel spring MH to ride smooth you would need to do a complete air suspicion system. That is remove the steel spring, bolt in a new suspension system with the air bags, this will cost around $13000! But it will ride amazing!

That is exactly right if you inflate the air bags because of high cross winds. On the other hand, it make driving in high winds much easier and safer. When there is no need for wind control, all you have to do is push the dash switch and deflate the air bags to regain the same ride as before. They are not as good as a full air bag suspension but a four corner air bag system, with dash control, only cost me about $1200. I suspect that if you have a full air bag system, and you need to inflate the suspension to deal with winds, that the ride will also be harsher than normal conditions.

[dodge_guy]

A bolt on air spring (bag) will only make the coach ride harsher as it increases the spring rate. To truly get a steel spring MH to ride smooth you would need to do a complete air suspicion system. That is remove the steel spring, bolt in a new suspension system with the air bags, this will cost around $13000! But it will ride amazing!

[rgatijnet1]

jeromep wrote:
If you want the convenience of a remote control system, I hope you are very technically inclined or have a very good mechanic around.

Either way air springs are a huge improvement.

After several years of having complete control of my air bags with the push of a button on my dash, I never found the need for a mechanic. The system always worked as designed and the 12 volt Air-Lift compressors that came with the air bags never failed and never needed any maintenance. I also never had an air bag failure. The installation was well within the abilities of anyone that can use basic tools. The 12 volt power for the air compressor(s) is easily spliced in to any existing wiring since they draw very few amps.
I do agree that the air bags are a huge improvement but the ability to change the air pressure as conditions changed should not be overlooked.

[jeromep]

I have air spring all around on a 95 Bounder 35' on a Ford F-53. The previous owner swore by them, told me to keep them at about 70 psi and I'd be just fine. His installation was all manual fill and I'm going to leave it at that. I've only had good experiences so far.

A couple of weeks back I was on I-90 westbound coming down to the crossing of the Columbia River. There is a lot of cross wind on the bridge due to the canyon like area the river runs through. I felt pretty slapped around going over the bridge, but the vehicle was totally in control. My awning got the worst of it but the vehicle drove through the cross wind very confidently. I suspect 30 mph winds with gusts up to 50.

I don't think you'll find a factory installation of air springs, but if you are going to do it be sure to research if you want a system that is self inflated with a remote control system or if you just want manual fill. If you choose manual fill you'll have a lot less mechanical stuff to deal with, but you had better have access to an air compressor. If you want the convenience of a remote control system, I hope you are very technically inclined or have a very good mechanic around.

Either way air springs are a huge improvement.

[Waiter21]

I have them on my 1999 F53 Southwind. they help smooth the ride, but probably doesn't do anything for sway.

If you have a 1999 or newer F53, look into the CHF to help with sway. This is an adjustment to the factory sway bar. It significantly reduces sway in every F53 I've done it on.

https://www.1999southwind.com/chf-cheap-handling-fix-fix-for-sway-and-handling/

..

[Dale_Traveling]

wjschill wrote:
Do air bags really help with the ride and sway of the coach? Also, is it best to have them on front and back?
If so, what cost can I expect for installation?

Newby to motorhomes, so don't laugh!!

Thanks,

Skip

Keep in mind each bolt on item has a primary effect and secondary, both good and bad. Air bags mostly help with regaining normal ride height after loading which will help to limit the suspension bottoming out on the frame bumpers. They will have some effect with stiffing the suspension and attenuating sway also. The rear axle usually needs the most help.

Material and installation will vary with who you buy from and where you live as local cost of living will effect labor rates. Average shop labor can run as much as $120 or more an hour and you might be looking at two hours per axle or about 8 hours. I did the work myself and order the bags (all four axles) off of Amazon for abut $600. Onboard compressed air ran me another $300 for material. Personally the improve was OK but better shocks and changing the geometry of the sway bars had a much bigger improvement for sway and ride for a lower cost. If I had a do-over I would try Sumo Springs.

Before you started looking at bolt on stuff get the coach in the driveway. You might be pleasantly surprised and the new to you rig needs nothing.

[wjschill]

OP here.

Still shopping, but most of the ones I've looked at have the V-10 Ford motor with the F-53 frame.

Thanks

[MountainAir05]

Put them on my 99 Ford F53 38 foot rear first and a total dream to drive. Put them on the front the next year. No blow around when you meet a big rig. As stated by rgatijnet1 complete control on how it control. Raise or lower side to side due to side winds.

You will get a lot of answers , a lot from people who have not done it also. For my Ford it total worked.

[rgatijnet1]

I installed them on my Workhorse W chassis. With a dash control, I could inflate or deflate them as needed. When out in the Great Plains, with the heavy winds, I was able to pump them up and minimize sway which allowed me to continue when others were pulling off. When there were light winds I could deflate the bags and regain a smoother ride. I also liked being able to raise the rear end if I needed driveway clearance, etc. All things considered, I feel they were a good investment and accomplished my objectives.

[wa8yxm]

Short answer is yes. Longer answer is HOW MUCH and that will depend on multiple factors starting with who made the chassis. So we need to know.

I was planning on it but never got round 2 it before the Idiot Trucker totaled it

[theoldwizard1]

Air "bags" are springs. They will only help mildly with sway/body roll assuming your current springs can not carry the load. If your current springs are so bad that you are bouncing off the bump stops they will help a lot.

[wolfe10]

We REALLY need to wait for the OP to tell us what chassis and coach they have.

Any other facts you have on your coach would assist in getting good answers: age, miles, what else has been changed on the suspension, axle weights, etc.

Barring that, we could give 10 suggestions that don't apply to their coach for every one who guessed correctly. Could lead you in circles!

[RLS7201]

I installed air bags on the rear of my 95 F53 chassis to supplement the old tired leaf springs. To my surprise, the ride was better in the rear, with less road noise.

Richard