Forum Discussion

Buster52's avatar
Buster52
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014

When do rear spring need replacing?

I was under my 1989 Southwind 30E looking at the air bags on the rear leaf springs and notice that they are flatter then what I thought they should be. I believe they are as old as the rig.I having never seen air bags before I am wondering if my spring maybe sagging. I looked on line for replacement springs and see they have 4.5 inches of bow, but that is under no load. The spring look like they have only a inch or two of bow in them. The bags are no good and will not hold air. So is my spring weakened or is this the norm when the bags are not inflated? How much lift will new air bags give me? New springs are over $200.00 each, plus shipping and installation. Don't want to buy something I don't need.

Thanks
Class A
  • Passin_Thru's avatar
    Passin_Thru
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    Replace the airbags and don't worry about springs unless the leaf is broken. You can inflate them to what ever height you want. You can also have them rebowed by some shops but it's not worth it.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2014
    Are the air bags like these?
    I bought mine at Amazon
    Wait these are for the front coils not back leaf
    Sorry
  • Daveinet's avatar
    Daveinet
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    Air bags are probably not stock. They may have been added because the previous owner felt the rear was sagging. The air bags will probably not lift the weight of the coach. Measure the diameter and then calculate the surface area. Multiply the surface area X the air pressure. That will tell you how much lift they will provide. Typical air bags capable of handling the whole weight of the coach would be 10 to 12 inches in diameter.
  • Buster52's avatar
    Buster52
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    I have to replace all 4 air bags. The ones in the front are so far gone you can see rips in then. One is so bag you can see light through it. The back as so flat the look like they are just a couple of inches thick. Where does one find the largest bags for the rear?

    Thanks

    Buster
  • Buster52's avatar
    Buster52
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    What is the largest bag or highest lift bag out there. All I see is bags that lift 5000 lbs. Is that the max lift?

    Thanks

    Buster

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