Air Bag Replacement

[SGTJOE]

I have a 2001 National Tradewinds 7390 and my air bags are looking old and cracky. The bags are made by Firestone. If My motorhome sits for a couple of hours with the bags full they leak enough air that I must wait for them to fill before moving the MH. Has anyone replaced their air bags and what was the cost?

I live in ST George Utah and if you have someone to recommend, please do.

[SGTJOE]

JoeH wrote:
fwiw... one of my 11 year old air bags was cracked and slightly leaking... replaced it a couple weeks ago

Was it a Firestone or Continental Air Bag? Did you replace it or did a shop replace it?? What was the Bag cost?

[JoeH]

fwiw... one of my 11 year old air bags was cracked and slightly leaking... replaced it a couple weeks ago

[JRscooby]

wolfe10 wrote:


No, would not expect longer than 20 year life from any rubber component, irrespective of brand.

And, I would not conclude that Continental Tire produces an inferior product. Any proof to substantiate that they are not the equal of Firestone?

I have never used their air bags, but lots of others have. We run Continental tires on the motorhome-- just fine.

No, I don't know that Continental would be inferior. I know I have had Goodyear and Firestone. (Most bags, I have no idea of brand. As long as work, why mess with?) My point is the OP has got real good service in his application from the Firestones. Get the number, replace with same thing. As long as work, why mess with?

[wolfe10]

JRscooby wrote:
If you plan to keep it, why would you think of another brand? You expect longer life? You willing to risk shorter life to save money?

No, would not expect longer than 20 year life from any rubber component, irrespective of brand.

And, I would not conclude that Continental Tire produces an inferior product. Any proof to substantiate that they are not the equal of Firestone?

I have never used their air bags, but lots of others have. We run Continental tires on the motorhome-- just fine.

[JRscooby]

SGTJOE wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:
And, with 22+ year old rubber (the air bags) if you are going to keep the coach, consider replacing them as reasonable Preventive Maintenance.

You do not have to go back with Firestone. Check out Continental Tire's air bag offerings. Tell us what chassis you are on (likely Freightliner) and someone may have the part numbers. Good quality and less $$.

Yes, it's a Freightliner. Thanks for the advise, hope I get some part numbers.

I'm not smart. If you plan to keep it, why would you think of another brand? You expect longer life? You willing to risk shorter life to save money?

[SGTJOE]

wolfe10 wrote:
And, with 22+ year old rubber (the air bags) if you are going to keep the coach, consider replacing them as reasonable Preventive Maintenance.

You do not have to go back with Firestone. Check out Continental Tire's air bag offerings. Tell us what chassis you are on (likely Freightliner) and someone may have the part numbers. Good quality and less $$.

Yes, it's a Freightliner. Thanks for the advise, hope I get some part numbers.

[wolfe10]

And, with 22+ year old rubber (the air bags) if you are going to keep the coach, consider replacing them as reasonable Preventive Maintenance.

You do not have to go back with Firestone. Check out Continental Tire's air bag offerings. Tell us what chassis you are on (likely Freightliner) and someone may have the part numbers. Good quality and less $$.

[SGTJOE]

oldave wrote:
I've read of many air leaks but very few were the bags.
If you take it in and ask for new airbags that's what you will get and maybe still have the air leaks.

Most owners drive up onto some stacked 2x10s to raise the rig and start squirting with soapy water.

That is a great suggestion. My Air bags are the originals from 2001 and they are cracky looking, but it would be wise to see where the air leak is coming from.
Thanks

[oldave]

I've read of many air leaks but very few were the bags.
If you take it in and ask for new airbags that's what you will get and maybe still have the air leaks.

Most owners drive up onto some stacked 2x10s to raise the rig and start squirting with soapy water.

[Desert_Captain]

When I bought my Air Lift 5,000# bags they came with recommendation to always keep "some" air in the bags. I run mine at 50 psi when towing and 25 when unloaded. This keeps the bags from collapsing on themselves and getting "cracky" which will inevitably lead to leaks.

:C

[LouLawrence]

It may not be the air bags themselves. Check all the connections and air lines that run to the bags with some soapy water and see if that's where the air is actually leaking. There will be a number printed on the air bags and you can look those up and get pricing from various locations.

[JRscooby]

First, air the bags leaking, or more likely, a fitting in the lines? (If a bag leaks, it normally leaks pretty fast)
As for doing the work, the only hard part is lifting the vehicle, making sure it stays up.