Air Suspension Storage Recommendations Needed

[stugotz61]

I have a 40 Ft Freightliner Chassis with Air Bags Suspension. What is the best way to store the unit. Flat Level Ground with Air Bags Deflated or Inflated? If the ground is uneven left to right do I need to Level it somehow First ?

[jwolf55]

I used to store mine on jack stands, weight off the tires and bags. Then I read a suggestion on this forum and have done this ever since.
I store mine on level concrete.
I pull it in, put wood blocks under the retracted levelers, then dump the air. Result weight off the tires, weight off the bags at near driving location not stretched or smashed, and jacks fully retracted.

For blocks I use one 10x10 pole barn cutoffs and one 2x10 under each jack that leaves me about 1/4 of drop. I have Snappads on the levelers.

[Blaster_Man]

My manual says to store it with jacks down...that's what they are for. Also, during the leveling process, the air is automatically dumped.

[cvbdsl]

stugotz61 wrote:
Thanks for the Responses - I have Jacks for leveling but was told to never Store the Unit on Leveling Jacks -

All my previous MHs ( 1 gasser and two DPs) had jacks and I stored them all winter (Oct to MAY) on the jacks.

HOWEVER - before retracting them I cleaned all the jacks and lubricated them with ATF and then ran them up an down a few times. I think the biggest potential issue with leaving the jacks down is that dirt can (and usually will) stick to them. When the jacks go in the dirt can rub on and affect the seals.

Now I only have air leveling so I don't have to crawl under to lubricate the jacks in the spring:)

Chris

[Bruce_Brown]

Same here - if that were the case I've been doing it wrong for 20 years. :B

I dump the air and drop the jacks.

In my case it's level anyway (in the garage) but I put the jacks down for stability when/if I'm working in there in the off season.

[wolfe10]

Ya, for the last 18 years, have used jacks to take approximately half the weight off the tires. No problem yet.

Get close to level with boards under the tires first.

[gutfelt]

stugotz61 wrote:
Thanks for the Responses - I have Jacks for leveling but was told to never Store the Unit on Leveling Jacks -

why?? I sit all winter long 5.5 months while snow birding in Ca and never ever had a problem who ever told u that is dead wrong

[stugotz61]

Thanks for the Responses - I have Jacks for leveling but was told to never Store the Unit on Leveling Jacks -

[dons2346]

It really makes no difference. Drive it and park it. Only reason to be level is if you are going to run the refer.

[gutfelt]

stugotz61 wrote:
I have a 40 Ft Freightliner Chassis with Air Bags Suspension. What is the best way to store the unit. Flat Level Ground with Air Bags Deflated or Inflated? If the ground is uneven left to right do I need to Level it somehow First ?

not sure about yours but when I level the MH my air bags automatically deflate

[DSDP_Don]

Always dump the air bags. Even if you leave them up, they'll eventually leak down anyway. Some coaches leak down in a couple of days, some take a week or two, either way, you'll end up with the bags dumped.

[wolfe10]

Do you have jacks, or air leveling?