DIY air leveling bags

[hedge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x19Wsx2OSz8

Found the original thread by Mike_mn

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21143513.cfm

I came across these in the TT forum, how do you think they'd work with a TC? I like the idea of the adjustability and how they collapse to nothing, not sure how much the weight capacity of these would be.

I think I'm going to try build some over the long winter, just have to try find the discharge hose.

[ralphnjoann]

OOPS!

[covered_wagon]

Cedar 2x6 blocks are light weight but do split easy if you don't criss cross the grain with one on top of the other. However, if you ever get a flat you'll appreciate having a couple blocks to set the tire jack on top of. Wood blocks also help level the Honda generator and back scissor steps. I also like the blocks for weighting down the picinic table cloth from blowing off.

Easy and inexpensive to replace any damaged blocks.

[CaveRun]

Much ''faster'' and ''easier'' to just use ''leveling blocks'' or ''wood blocks''!..IMO!

[covered_wagon]

It is not healthy to have everything in life too easy. Up to a point anyways, you'll live longer with a bit of hard work in your life. I'll stay with blocks.

[hedge]

It's great to hear from someone that has them. Pretty much the advantages I would have thought. I think they'd work quite well for us.

I still think I want to try build a set, I can find the material online but the shipping is killing me so I'm trying to find the materials locally.

[ralphnjoann]

skipro3 wrote:
ralphnjoann, knowing now what they do and what they would cost to build from scratch, would you say it's worth it or other options are as good or better?

IMHO it's worth it for several reasons. They take up less space and can be folded in half for more storage options; you're dealing with only one item per wheel as opposed to several; and, you don't need to estimate how high the wheel needs to be raised since inflation will take care of that.

I use a small hand-held battery operated air pump to inflate them. It takes a few minutes so I let it run while I do other outdoor stuff whilst periodically checking the bubble level.

[Ski_Pro_3]

ralphnjoann, knowing now what they do and what they would cost to build from scratch, would you say it's worth it or other options are as good or better?

[ralphnjoann]

I built a pair of these when the instructions first came out and I followed the instructions to the letter. At the time, I had a dual axle fifth wheel with a GVWR of 7800lbs. I now use them with my truck camper which weighs 2300 lbs, on an F250 SRW (I know, I'm overweight), but back to the air bags. I've never had a problem. They do what I need them to do, and have done so for years. I can tell you this; you won't build two of them for $100 if you have to buy all your materials at today's prices. It will be considerably more. BTW, I don't like to lay them directly on the ground because of potential puncture problems. Trimmed down 18 wheeler mudflaps under the bags eliminate this worry.

[jimh406]

BeatCJ, thanks for the explanation. I'm not understanding why these are helpful or easier for a TC, but I guess I don't have to. 🙂

[BeatCJ]

jimh425 wrote:
It is interesting, but you can buy the airbags without all of the mounts. It seems like starting there would save at least part of the full cost of a set, but be a lot less work even though you would still build brackets.

Different type of bags. These are intended under the tires of a TT, to level before you engage the jacks, instead of stacking blocks. Our individual wheel loads on a truck camper are higher, so I'm not sure how well they would work.

As for the amount of lift, at 30 psi you would get 3000 pounds each bag. With dual wheels, that would give you 6000 lbs per side. I wouldn't be surprised if it would work to 50 psi, that would give you 10000 lbs per side. Typically, hose is proof tested to 4 times the rated pressure, so there is a safety factor there. Obviously, considerations for safety would need to be made. I doubt the stem would shoot out, if you used the backup washers as shown in the instruction post. If you really need that much lift, even consider a second layer of hose for reinforcement. But it would probably be prudent to make sure they were positioned toward a solid object.

[jimh406]

It is interesting, but you can buy the airbags without all of the mounts. It seems like starting there would save at least part of the full cost of a set, but be a lot less work even though you would still build brackets.

[Ski_Pro_3]

hedge wrote:
They only go to 30 psi, I don't think that's a big concern.

30psi gives 3000 pounds of lift. Each of my rear tires are more than that. I have 3600 pounds on each tire. (7200lbs on the rear axlse) So that means, at 30psi, the bags still haven't lifted the rear tire.

[AnEv942]

Don't think your going to stack them if needed. Looks like might be fun to make but for the cost & effort not seeing as very practical. Coarse I guess you could add on top of block?
Be fun in some slick mud, Truck camper hockey!

[hedge]

They only go to 30 psi, I don't think that's a big concern.