Desperate for some help please

Pjscagnelli · 12-27-2018, 01:24 PM

So on my first trip with my DX3 I had a small disaster.
I have some questions I can't seem to find answers to, nor does the manual address.
I have had A class before this so my first question is with the ride of the DX3.
It almost feels as if the rear suspension is non existent. On the highways when I hit a small pothole, a transition or anything else the pounding it makes is seemingly excessive.
It feels as if the rear end is bottoming out, metal on metal bas hinging sound.
The air bags seem filled, the gauges all read normal and the coach doesn't seem to be sitting in the rear.
But this cant be right, can it?
Do these typically have a rougher truck ride unlike my last class A model?
Is there any way to adjust rear bags?
I am beyond frustrated now as this will be awful to drive for any duration the ride is so bad.
I also had a run in with a drive thru sign that I didn't notice at 3am in the rain and list and AC, satellite, fan and local antenna, so perhaps I am just so aggravated it all bothers me?!?!

Please anyone with input as to the air bags, the general ride, the pouring noise anything, please advise.

I am close to trading this thing in after only 30 days.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Do other owners feel this coach rides, rougher??

**Flybob** · 12-27-2018, 01:28 PM

Did the unit you drove when you were looking ride as bad? Did the DX3 ride that bad when you drove it at PDI or is this new?

5picker · 12-27-2018, 01:39 PM

What are the tire pressures?

CZNEDY · 12-27-2018, 01:47 PM

It sounds like your air bags did not fully inflate.

Pjscagnelli · 12-27-2018, 01:56 PM

So its a 2016 with 22k miles.

The bags seem inflated, the rear isn't sitting down in any noticeable way.

I did test drive it, but perhaps it wasn't enough of a drive.

It makes such a thudding sound when on the highway if I hit a transition, or any repairs in the road or potholes.

I mean it rattles the cabinets, fridge, shower door etc.

It seems very very loud and sounds awful.

Do these typically ride rough?

Is there any way for me to know if the bags are filled properly?

I appreciate all the input.

Thanks

Pjscagnelli · 12-27-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

What are the tire pressures?

I am installing TPMS on it today, but they do not appear low, and I would hope the dealership would have checked them in their PDI.

5picker · 12-27-2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pjscagnelli

I am installing TPMS on it today, but they do not appear low, and I would hope the dealership would have checked them in their PDI.

.. dealer checked them???
Buy a tire gauge.

Pjscagnelli · 12-27-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

.. dealer checked them???
Buy a tire gauge.

Agreed.

Do you have a DX3? Do they typically ride rougher?

5picker · 12-27-2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pjscagnelli

Agreed.

Do you have a DX3? Do they typically ride rougher?

I don't but did ride in one at a dealer this past fall.
I would't classify it as 'pounding.'

KRedburn · 12-27-2018, 03:20 PM

when you are parked. cycle the suspension drop. have DW drop the air and watch the back near the tires. Make sure it drops. Then cycle the switch to normal and verify the suspension raises.

It does sound like air bags are not inflating.

Just verify the suspension falls and rises with the suspension switch. suspension raised is normal travel position. My switch is labeled UP when lower part of switch is pushed in. Not really intuitive imo.

KRedburn · 12-27-2018, 03:26 PM

Another note: many shops air up the tires to 110 psi. This will give you a hard ride. I run mine at 95 COLD psi. TPMS system shows tires in the 105 to 110 range going down the road. Has a nice ride. There will be some noise due to the single rear axle. (most class A in same length as the DX3 have a tag axle at least the ones I have seen.)

Pjscagnelli · 12-27-2018, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRedburn

when you are parked. cycle the suspension drop. have DW drop the air and watch the back near the tires. Make sure it drops. Then cycle the switch to normal and verify the suspension raises.

It does sound like air bags are not inflating.

Just verify the suspension falls and rises with the suspension switch. suspension raised is normal travel position. My switch is labeled UP when lower part of switch is pushed in. Not really intuitive imo.

Ken,

thanks for the response. Please excuse my ignorance, but how do I cycle the suspension and or drop the air bags?

please and thanks

joet19711 · 12-27-2018, 05:54 PM

the 2016 and 2017's did not have a manual air dump valve, unless previous owner had it installed.

By each rear air bag there is a level valve that allows the air bags to inflate
and raise the suspension height, the bracket that they sit on are adjustable.
I had same type of thing but just on the passenger side. In my case the bracket was bent and even though the bag was full my suspension on that side was
lower and caused some banging like you described. There is a factory spec on the height of those brackets that the level valve sit on . Suggest you pay a visit to a Freightliner service center.
So even if your air gauge shows that they are around 130 psi, your level maybe too high or too low.

Also so what is you tire PSI cold. Most of us run around 95 to 100 or so and it is very important for the ride.

Hope that helps you a little bit.
I have 21,500 miles on mine and we love the ride. You will too.

Webefine · 12-27-2018, 05:55 PM

Ken, he may not have a air bag dump switch. My 2015 DX3 did not.

KRedburn · 12-27-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webefine

Ken, he may not have a air bag dump switch. My 2015 DX3 did not.

that may be the case. I was making an assumption.

Anyway, you are correct regarding the air bag on earlier suspensions.
On our semi's we use a level and adjust for the rig to be level and approx. 51 inches to the 5th wheel plate. On a DX3 I would think on a level surface to adjust the air valve to raise the back so that a 4 or 8ft level shows your floor is level front to back with tires equally inflated and air system is ready to go down the road.

OP could get underneath and move the air valve to make sure it is working correctly. (If you follow the air line on the air bag back to a connection "block" then from the block to a valve that will have a rod that connects to the lower suspension arm or the differential.) Your valve control arm should be level when the suspension is aired up.

Or as you said Maybe time to drop by a Freightliner service center.

I also agree with you regarding tire pressure. cold inflate 95 - 100 psi.
will give a nicer ride and not hurt the tires at all.

socalnative · 12-27-2018, 09:03 PM

I have a 2016 DX3. It rides like a dream! Truly fun to drive. Bumps in road are very well "absorbed" by both the chassis suspension and the air seats. DEFINITELY NOT the experience you seem to be describing.

TitanMike · 12-27-2018, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRedburn

when you are parked. cycle the suspension drop. have DW drop the air and watch the back near the tires. Make sure it drops. Then cycle the switch to normal and verify the suspension raises.

It does sound like air bags are not inflating.

Just verify the suspension falls and rises with the suspension switch. suspension raised is normal travel position. My switch is labeled UP when lower part of switch is pushed in. Not really intuitive imo.

Is the switch a rocker type switch that can be removed from the bezel and rotated so "Up is Up"?

MasterBlaster · 12-27-2018, 09:30 PM

We have the Force HD, same setup and ours rides like a dream. As previously mentioned tire inflation is very important. We run 90 Cold, would check that first. Also depending where you are located, it is possible that someone on here with same type setup can assist you.

halla · 12-27-2018, 09:30 PM

It is a rocker switch but has airlines hooked to it. Rotating it could cause a kink in the lines.

The Renegade · 12-27-2018, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pjscagnelli

Do you have a DX3? Do they typically ride rougher?

I will answer as best as I can. I do not have a DX3 but I do have a '19 Force HDTS and I will give my honest opinion. I did test drive an '18 Class A DP and to compare the 2 rides is hard to do. They are totally different to me.

The Class A DP has more of an air ride feel for sure. The Dynamax will be a little stiffer and will not have the " Bus " feel to it. From what you are describing is not the normal for sure. I did experience what you are saying one short ride when I had the manual dump switch depressed and any bump would result in a lot of noise and things banging. I quickly found the switch and engaged the air bags.

Hope you find the solution.

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