Azzie
Danbury Ct.
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Joined: 04/16/2008
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Bill thanks for the guideline on the bump stops. gives me a good place to start. I just ordered a set of the airlifts from local napa store. will be installing later today. thanks again all...
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Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Joined: 07/01/2002
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Azzie wrote:Bill thanks for the guideline on the bump stops. gives me a good place to start. I just ordered a set of the airlifts from local napa store. will be installing later today. thanks again all...
If you do a search on airbags you will a lot of hints on how to make the removal and installation of the airbags easier.
I had a 96 motor home on a 95 P30 chassis. The vehicle owners manual described how to set the pressure in the airbags.
The owner’s manual gives the following ranges:
4,300 LB front suspensions = 10 psi to 50 psi
5,000 LB front suspensions = 40 psi to 50 psi
5,300 LB front suspensions = 50 psi to 80 psi
5,500 LB front suspensions = 60 psi to 100 psi
For the proper adjustment it says to inflate the air bags to the maximum pressure for your vehicle, load the motor home, park on a level surface and then reduce the air pressure as needed to level the motor home but don’t reduce it below the minimum.
I have seen other schemes for adjusting the pressure per ride quality, but the 1995 Chevrolet Forward Control Chassis owner’s manual said to do it as shown above.
I don't know if it's accurate or not but other posts have said the pressure in the bags affects the alignment and you should have it checked when you get the pressure set. The manual did not mention that however.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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When I had my '96 Pace Arrow I had about 2" lower on the right side. When I inflated the bags to the recommended 95# the difference was less than 1". When you do this get the kit to have only one inflation point and the gauge that sit under the hood someplace. That makes it so much easier to check and add air when necessary. The gauge kit is around $50.00 if I remember and well worth it.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, & 2002 PT Cruiser w/Remco lube pump, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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bill h
el segundo
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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The air bag pressure specs in the owners manual are OK for a new coach, but do not take into account springs that have sagged with age and use. And theyn all do, justlike us.  The geometry of the front end does not know how much air is in the bags. It only knows what the ride height is.
The Chevrolet motor home chassis service manual addresses this, and even uses a metal to metal measurement right where the bump stop is. The bump stop clearance measurement is doing essentially the same thing.
Bill and Susan
84 Barth 30 tag powered by ht502/Thorley, Gear Vendors OD
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes
4WD Toyota toad
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karmasasha
st paul minnesota , usa
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Joined: 02/22/2004
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I have a 89 p30. I had front air bags replaced six years ago. The right one lost pressure to 0 recently so I deflated the other. I also, cannot tell a difference in the ride so not replacing again.
Andrea and Rommel the large gentle Rottie
Inga, my 1989 Winnebago Class A 27 ft (454 P30) with 100,000+ miles and going strong!
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CSpenceFLY
Macon,Ga
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Joined: 06/12/2006
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You will be able to tell by the wear on the tires.
To the OP. You will find that the ride and handling on your rig will change as the fuel and water load changes. If the fuel is low the front end is heavier.
"You're lucky to be alive my friend."
Quote from the "Do it yourself police" and many others that have known me.
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bill h
el segundo
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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karmasasha wrote:I have a 89 p30. I had front air bags replaced six years ago. The right one lost pressure to 0 recently so I deflated the other. I also, cannot tell a difference in the ride so not replacing again.
WOW! I am surprised to hear that. In the eighties, I went to buy a P30 and it handled so badly I RAN away from it. In discussing this with a more knowledgable person, he said to check the air bags. They were in shreds. I told the seller that I would reconsider if he replaced the bags. He did, and I drove it again and noticed a tremendous difference, and bought it. I suspect the bags not only put the spring rate up where it should be, but, by raising the ride height, increased the camber as well. P30 MH chassis likes lots of camber.
I guess some P30s are just different from others.
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Southwinded
Western New York
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Joined: 11/29/2005
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I had Camping World replace mine. With the optional warranty they will replace them for no charge when they blow again (and they will).
1989 Southwind 32
454 carb. Mor-Ryde suspension.
Not pretty on the outside, but it's homey inside, works and is paid for.
56K miles and going strong. for now . . . .
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Cousin_Eddy
Peoria, AZ
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Joined: 01/23/2006
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Mine has aftermarket springs with no airbags. You will need to get heavyduty shocks like Koni or Bilstien because it will be under dampened with the higher spring constant. It will feel like you are sitting on a pogo stick if not. The chassis manual recommends against this mod because the suspension bottoms out on the spings now instead of the rubber bumpers.
But I have to say that my rig drives good this way. No bags to fuss with. No complaints.
1995 33' Southwind Fleetwood Model LW
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