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Old 10-02-2015, 12:16 PM   #1
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Unhappy Sunseeker Air Springs

Bought a new 2014 SS last summer in Washington State, loaded it up and drove 1800 miles to AZ. The ride was awful (of course we previously had a 40 foot Country Coach Intrigue).

When we picked it up from Paulsbo RV, they did very little to show us anything on the coach (they did try to sell us zillions of other products though).

After driving it 4000 rough miles we learned that there were Ride Rite air springs on the back that had zero pounds of air. The rear jacks hung up every time we pulled into a driveway. Another RV shop figured out the problem, aired them up, and the ride got pretty good. I cannot find anything anywhere (including the Ride-Rite brochure) that tells how much air should be in these things. Any input?
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Old 10-02-2015, 12:22 PM   #2
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Max is 100psi most run 65-75psi but it's your preference depending on the ride and load check often they leak frequently
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Old 10-02-2015, 12:25 PM   #3
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Your stating its an SS so I assume it is the model 3100SS which is 32'. So far I have had good luck running about 70# along with 80# in the dual tires and 75# in the front tires. Check the air bags before every trip as the lose a bit of air in a couple of weeks.
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Old 10-02-2015, 01:19 PM   #4
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Mine is the 2860DS but will try starting at 70 pounds. Thanks!
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Old 10-02-2015, 02:45 PM   #5
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I recently purchased a 2010 3170DS. Are air bags standard equipment and if so where would I look to find them? I imagine I would see some sort of valve stem similar to a normal tire.

Thanks for entertaining my (maybe stupid) question.
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Old 10-02-2015, 04:25 PM   #6
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I run 40 psi in mine. 2860ds
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Old 10-02-2015, 07:07 PM   #7
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I recently purchased a 2010 3170DS. Are air bags standard equipment and if so where would I look to find them? I imagine I would see some sort of valve stem similar to a normal tire.
On my 2860DS, the air bag valves are in the basement compartments right behind the rear wheels. There is a valve stem just like tires have mounted in the rear of the compartment.

I run 50 to 55 PSI in mine.
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Old 10-02-2015, 08:05 PM   #8
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I'm so sorry you had bad service form Poulsbo. I have purchased TWO RV's from them in the past, both Forest River Sunseekers. My current one is from another dealer because I moved.

I have the Ride-Rite, I have a smooth ride, I have never checked them, I just cross my fingers........
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Old 10-02-2015, 08:39 PM   #9
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My left side valve stem is in the sewer compartment. The right side is in the compartment where the water filter and pump are in the back. Both are covered with a screw-off cap that might have you overlooking them. They can be inflated from 5 to 100 psi. Try around 60 and see what you think. More air makes for a stiffer ride and will help when driving in crosswinds and with large trucks flying by. As others have said, they naturally tend to leak a little, so check before each trip. When adding air, be careful. It takes only a small amount of air to fill them. I use a tire inflator rather than a big compressor.


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Old 10-03-2015, 06:48 AM   #10
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I have been running 50 in the 2860 but next trip I'm going to up it to 75
I have noted mine don't hold pressure while the unit sits (slow bleed)
I always refill before a trip but now that I'm aware they bleed down and religiously service them our ride is noticeably more enjoyable
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Old 10-03-2015, 09:32 AM   #11
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We had a very similar PDI (pre-delivery Inspection) with our purchase, different dealer....individual did not know anything specific to the Sunseeker, just general RV knowledge.

We now travel with a rear rack with motorcycle & bicyles, so 450-500 lbs, I routinely keep Air ride at 75-80 lbs of pressure.


Another thread on Air Ride ---> We found using a bike pump is the best way of inflating & checking the air pressure

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ion-90443.html

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Old 10-04-2015, 06:35 AM   #12
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I have a mini compressor that has a pressure adjustment valve.For instance if you want 50 lbs,you set the adjustment knob to the 50 lb setting and that's as high as it gets
This really works well for the air ride
I'm not sure anyone mentioned this but you could damage these bags if you blast them with high pressure from a large air compressor
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Old 10-04-2015, 12:59 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trdutch View Post
I have a mini compressor that has a pressure adjustment valve.For instance if you want 50 lbs,you set the adjustment knob to the 50 lb setting and that's as high as it gets
This really works well for the air ride
I'm not sure anyone mentioned this but you could damage these bags if you blast them with high pressure from a large air compressor
What is the make of your compressor and where did you get it?
Thanks
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Old 10-04-2015, 02:44 PM   #14
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Great input from you folks. I probably would not have realized there was a problem (just a poor ride compared to my 40' Country Coach Intrigue) had the rear leveling jacks had not been scraping every time I left the highway. They were only about 4 inches off the ground.

Since we will soon be going south on I-5 through Washington, Oregon & California (yuk) I will probably try the 75 psi since 8 zillion trucks will be blowing us all over the road. I am also towing a full size Toyota Tundra truck loaded with stuff.
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Old 10-07-2015, 09:35 AM   #15
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Thanks for the suggestion I am new, very helpful.


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Old 10-10-2015, 07:08 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimOneil43 View Post
What is the make of your compressor and where did you get it?
Thanks

It's an older unit I got second hand and when I get home (work trip) I'll tell you the make.
It's small and portable but a little on the heavy side so it stays at home and we use it for a garage compressor
On the road I have one of the lightweight rechargeable 12 volt units with the built in spot light
I got that one at Tractor Supply
Unfortunately the travel unit is not adjustable
I'll get the brand of that one also
Sorry I know that's not much help
Dutch
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Old 10-11-2015, 10:35 AM   #17
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2860

Depending on amount of fresh water I'm holding and black gray and full tank of gas anywhere from 65 to 75 and if pulling my 14 ft in closed bike carryier with 2 HD dressers. 80
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Old 10-11-2015, 10:42 AM   #18
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I have an extra Onboard air compressor for airbags that you can set the pressure you want by just pressing the button. It comes with a gauge to tell you what pressure is in the bags. It might work for your springs. It will inflate to 150#.
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Old 10-17-2015, 07:02 AM   #19
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It seems like I have to find a compromise regarding how much to fill the air bags on my 2860DS. Too little is not good for reasons mentioned in the first post, but I find too much does help the handling, but seems like the motor home bangs and rattles a lot more going over every little bump in the road. Lately I've been doing 50# as a compromise.
And yes, they do leak so need to be checked before every trip.
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Old 10-17-2015, 09:52 AM   #20
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I have a 2860DS with Firestone rear airbags and the wireless on board compressor from Airlift. If you want to be able to figure out the best pressure for different conditions, you need to be able to adjust while driving. I find I change the pressure when the road conditions change. Works great.
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