FRONT SPRING AIRBAGS AND SHOCKS

[darsben]

I have a 1990 Southwind 27 ft with airbags in the front springs. The airbags are shot. I am thinking of replacing them and having the repair shop put on new shocks at the same time. The unit has 49,000 miles on it and what appears to be the original shocks (Bilstein made in WEST Germany).
Anyone done this and made mistakes or was really satisfied with a particular setup? Anyone not replaced the airbags and done something entirely different?

[darsben]

To close;
New springs
new shocks (monroes)
new brake pads

[BULLETLS1]

when I received my rig, it had the OEM******of the P30 springs with airbags, and shot shocks but with a coilover extra spring.
I installed BILSTEIN (BEST SHOCKS EVER!), but loosed the coilover, the shot shocks where thin compared with the Bils, so I could not put back the extra spring, I did installed airbags (against recomendations of the hendersons) connected to an AIR LIFT DUAL CONTROLLER, the kit comes with an air compressor, dual needle gauge and switches for inflate either side of the front airbags... I CAN ADJUST RIDE HEIGHT, OR FIRMNESS, OR in limited ammount, THE LEAN OF THE RIG ON THE FLY!!!! MARVELOUS!

[Alleg2000]

Call Henderson Lineup get heavy duty front springs and forget the leaking airBags. Been there done that.

[darsben]

To end this discussion I did order the springs, the Monroe Shocks and Brake PADS. Interestingly enough Amazon Beat O'reilly's price (I have no O'reily's near me) on the shocks and brake pads by a significant amount
Thanks for the input

[enblethen]

I was about 100 pounds into the a lower rated spring. Henderson advised what they recommended and went with them.
I went with Monroes from O"reilly's. Monroe shocks
Don't forget! You may want to replace the steering stabilizer shock.

[darsben]

wolfe10 wrote:
Going with the heaviest load range will give you a harsh ride and cause alignment issues.
Okay I can buy that
Why, when they offer custom tailored springs would you ignore that and go with less than ideal ones?
Trying to get an education was the reason for the questionT
Sure, if you are right at the point between one and the next heavier, consider the heavier ones.

Be sure you really look closely at your weights. Remember,for example that if your fuel tank is full when you weight, your front end will GAIN weight as you burn fuel since the tank is well behind the rear axle.
Hmmm had not thought of that

I still would like input on what others have done for shocks. I cannot see taking the shock halfway off to replace the spring without replacing the shock

[wolfe10]

Going with the heaviest load range will give you a harsh ride and cause alignment issues.

Why, when they offer custom tailored springs would you ignore that and go with less than ideal ones?

Sure, if you are right at the point between one and the next heavier, consider the heavier ones.

Be sure you really look closely at your weights. Remember,for example that if your fuel tank is full when you weight, your front end will GAIN weight as you burn fuel since the tank is well behind the rear axle.

[darsben]

okay so once I weigh the front end if I am near the top of the range for the spring should I go one size up ion the Henderson springs?

Why not go with the heaviest load range right off the bat?

Also anyone have recommendations or reasons to avoid a particular brand for front shocks

[enblethen]

I would not waste money on air bags. I recently replaced my springs and air bags with some from Henderson line up. They are based on rig's weight and do not require air bags. Suspecnsion is much firmer and less sway.
Yes a good set of quality shocks help.
Henderson line up
Have the shop check the bell cranks. OEM fall apart. You may want to consider the super steer bell cranks from Hendersons.

[wolfe10]

Two choices:

Replace the air bags and continue to monitor and keep them aired up.

Replace the "less strong" coil springs with supplemental air bags with a properly speced (FOR YOUR ACTUAL WEIGHT) stronger spring:

Here is one such spring-- again you need to know your "going down the road" actual front axle weight to spec the right one: http://www.hendersonslineup.com/products/supersteer-coil-springs-6000-lbs-plus-actual-front-axle-wei...