air bags

[Gingsnap]

Need help with the air bags on our Sunseeker 2300. It is a new 2015 and we have not touched the air bags. The service tech said he inflated 1/2 way when we picked up the unit. Now that it is fully loaded and we are carrying a scooter (200 lbs) on a carrier in the trailer hitch do we need to increase or decrease the air in the air bags we will be traveling about 200 miles mostly on interstate and what is 1/2 way how do you know how much to keep them inflated to? Thanks for all advice we are new to this..

[goots]

He you have the Big Foot Jacks I would so you have plenty of clearance, We have a 2014 3010DS and we always keep them at 75psi when traveling.

[Bednarski1]

I have a 2014 3010 and usually keep mine at 60 psi. We also tow a Chevy Equinox and the ride seems to be ok with that. There probably isn't a wrong psi unless it's at zero or over 100.

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by Gingsnap

Need help with the air bags on our Sunseeker 2300. It is a new 2015 and we have not touched the air bags. The service tech said he inflated 1/2 way when we picked up the unit. Now that it is fully loaded and we are carrying a scooter (200 lbs) on a carrier in the trailer hitch do we need to increase or decrease the air in the air bags we will be traveling about 200 miles mostly on interstate and what is 1/2 way how do you know how much to keep them inflated to? Thanks for all advice we are new to this..

Since you are new to this keep in mind, if you ever have to lift wheels off the ground (as in jacking it up) you must deflate air bags to zero. Then re inflate when wheels back on ground.

[goots]

I talked to the tech at Firestone who makes the Air bags and he said no need to deflate air bags

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by goots

I talked to the tech at Firestone who makes the Air bags and he said no need to deflate air bags

OK - not what it says in manual though. Did he say lifting by frame or by axle?

[MrJoe]

I've never deflated mine when using the levelers. About a year and a half with no ill effects. I do not add air while jacked up. I can see how that would cause damage. I will be sure to post if damage is ever caused by not deflating when using the jacks.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by MrJoe

I've never deflated mine when using the levelers. About a year and a half with no ill effects. I do not add air while jacked up. I can see how that would cause damage. I will be sure to post if damage is ever caused by not deflating when using the jacks.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Mr Joe , I am talking about lifting BOTH rear wheels off the ground, as in jacking up to work on rear axle. I may have not been too clear in original post.

[MrJoe]

I can say I don't intentionally lift the rear wheels. When I see the wheels may lose contact with the ground, I use pads and blocks to keep contact. Guess that's why I've never had airbag problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[RvBill3]

Air bags can be filled anywhere from 5 to 100psi. The only way to determine "half way" would be to check air pressure. How much air to use is totally up to you. The goal is to keep the right attitude of the MH (front end slightly down from rear end). More air will give a stiffer ride which can be very helpful in dealing with crosswinds. I would start at 60-65 psi and see how you like it. With a heavy load on the rear, you might add a little more. Just make sure when adding air that you use very short bursts. It takes very little air to fill the bag.


2012 Forest River Sunseeker 2300 Chevy

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

OK - not what it says in manual though. Did he say lifting by frame or by axle?

If you are lifting to work on the rear axle then Jack it under the axle.
If you try to lift the axle off the ground using the frame then you could damage the suspension components.

[jrwalkerpa1]

Another thing to keep in mind is you have to check the air often. They do lose air over time and sometimes faster than you expect. I air mine up about once a week. I just recently installed an onboard compressor for the airbags with the control switch and gauge in the cab. . A pain in the neck (and lower) job to install but worth it.

[SkipnTerri]

Originally Posted by RvBill3

Air bags can be filled anywhere from 5 to 100psi. The only way to determine "half way" would be to check air pressure. How much air to use is totally up to you. The goal is to keep the right attitude of the MH (front end slightly down from rear end). More air will give a stiffer ride which can be very helpful in dealing with crosswinds. I would start at 60-65 psi and see how you like it. With a heavy load on the rear, you might add a little more. Just make sure when adding air that you use very short bursts. It takes very little air to fill the bag.


2012 Forest River Sunseeker 2300 Chevy

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you use air compressor or bicycle pump?

[RvBill3]

I use a small tire inflator (like for bicycles) for the air bags just because I am afraid of filling them too fast with my air compressor. If you are careful and use short bursts, I'm sure either would be fine.


2012 Forest River Sunseeker 2300 Chevy

[goots]

I picked the Goodyear brand air compressor at Walmart on-line and it works great I keep it stored on the RV it small enough to do the work...

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

If you are lifting to work on the rear axle then Jack it under the axle.
If you try to lift the axle off the ground using the frame then you could damage the suspension components.

Hey Ford,you know we are talking about motorhome not trailer. thats why manual states to dump air from air bags before lifting from frame.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

Hey Ford,you know we are talking about motorhome not trailer. thats why manual states to dump air from air bags before lifting from frame.

Hey if you want to lift a MH rear axle off the ground using the frame go for it.

I have a question, if something gets broken when you do that, who pays?

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Hey if you want to lift a MH rear axle off the ground using the frame go for it.

I have a question, if something gets broken when you do that, who pays?

Where do you think the auto levers are attached, the frame, and a lot of people lift their wheels off ground using them, I don't !!!All I was stating is that the manual states to dump air from air bags if lifting from frame. I have a question for you, when you take your car/truck into repair shop and they lift it using a frame contact hoist what is the difference?

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

Where do you think the auto levers are attached, the frame, and a lot of people lift their wheels off ground using them, I don't !!!All I was stating is that the manual states to dump air from air bags if lifting from frame. I have a question for you, when you take your car/truck into repair shop and they lift it using a frame contact hoist what is the difference?

When the tire are rotated at Discount tires they use floor jacks under the axles.
The rest of the truck gets serviced over a pit so the tires never leave the ground.
On top of that my Ford DOES NOT have air suspension on it.

Good luck with the air suspension....

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

When the tire are rotated at Discount tires they use floor jacks under the axles.:

Maybe at the particular Discount tire you use, but, there are more than one Discount tire that use frame lifts. Not too many pits left in modern shops.