|
|
07-06-2015, 11:51 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
|
Lift kit for 3171 or 3170
Has anyone had their 3171 or 3170 lifted in the rear. If so, how much and where di you get it done. They sure are taildraggers. Thx, Ben
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 12:51 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: iowa
Posts: 285
|
have you tried putting more air in the air bags? I run mine at 60 psi and don't have any issues dragging .
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 01:05 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lbrunning
have you tried putting more air in the air bags? I run mine at 60 psi and don't have any issues dragging .
|
Running 60 psi right now. How high can you go without damaging them? We have a sloping driveway at home, so when pulling into the driveway, skid protectors are dragging in the street. We also, moved heavy items to the front, but still get a little dragging. Thx.
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 01:17 PM
|
#4
|
Class C Representative
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 610
|
They inflate all the way to 100 PSI. As for the lift kit there are several companies that specifically do lifts on Motorhomes or you can always check out a near by Fabrication or performance shop.
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 05:03 PM
|
#5
|
Bus Driver
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 80
|
Ben
By lifting the rear without raising the front, you may induce abnormal wear as well as handling problems to the front suspension components.
Instead, take a look at these items HERE
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 05:39 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 958
|
Are you just trying to raise the rear to clear your driveway or is the rear of your coach lower than the front when on level ground? The coach should be level or slightly higher in the rear when traveling. If you have 60 psi you should certainly be higher in the rear unless something is broken in the rear suspension or there is too much weight in the coach. Getting the coach weighted to determine load on each axle will tell you whats going on. Raising the rear temporarily to clear your driveway is okay but leaving it too high while traveling will negatively impact handling and front end alignment probably in both the caster and camber settings.
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 07:12 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
|
Deaver and ATVer, you make some good points about abnormal wear. Deaver, I went you your link and took a look at the roller. Curious to know when the coach bottoms out, if that would be too much pressure on the hitch. ATVer, when my wife brings the coach back for her overnighter test run, I will check out the level again. I couldn't go on this trip, had to work. Somebody has to make the payments. Thx guys.
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
|
|
|
07-06-2015, 11:22 PM
|
#8
|
Bus Driver
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 80
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by benagi
Deaver, I went you your link and took a look at the roller. Curious to know when the coach bottoms out, if that would be too much pressure on the hitch. A.
|
I wouldn't think so as you hitch is a beefy piece of steel spanning your frame rails. That's provided you are not doing your "Dukes of Hazard Jump Impressions"
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 08:27 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Kaysville, Utah
Posts: 475
|
Ben, this is why I am installing an air bag pump with a wireless controller. In a few seconds I can increase pressure to 90+ lbs and raise the rear end to clear my driveway entrance (which is on a slope).
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 08:49 AM
|
#10
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: CA
Posts: 55
|
benagi,
We have the same issue and purchased the Air Lift kit 25856 to add to the Firestone air bags in our 3171DS. Air Lift had a great deal if you purchase a kit in July up to $100.00 refund. Once installed we will be able to lift and lower the MH when needed. We are also looking at adding a air tank to the system to allow us to lift the MH quickly.
~onione
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 11:10 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 396
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshua Cavitt
They inflate all the way to 100 PSI. As for the lift kit there are several companies that specifically do lifts on Motorhomes or you can always check out a near by Fabrication or performance shop.
|
Joshua,
What is Forest River's opinion on this subject, about lift kits to raise the rear end? Are they detrimental to the alignment or handling, etc?
__________________
Retired and loving it...Can't wait to get back on the road!
2017 Forester 3051S ("Farley")
Born April 18, 2016
Toad: 2014 Honda CR-V AWD
GO DUCKS !!
Jim & Diana (and 3 cats)
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 11:39 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 259
|
I installed firestone air bags on the rear of my 2009 Sunseeker 2860DS to raise the rear because of our dragging issue at one point in our driveway. They don't raise the rear above stock height even at 100 PSI. I called Firestone and talked to a tech who said their systems are designed to keep the chassis at stock height but not above. If you have a very heavy load on the hitch and make the springs sag, then they help to maintain stock height, but if you have a newer MH with good springs you won't see a lift in the rear. I have wheels on the hitch which do the job.
__________________
2009 Sunseeker 2860DS
Bulldog keyless entry
Firestone airbags
Airlift remote compressor system
Ultragauge EM Plus OBDII monitor
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 02:10 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 497
|
The 3171 is the one of the longest coaches in FR Class C line and I believe it has the most "tail" behind the rear axle. This makes it hard coming off of just about any curb regardless how carefully you drive off. My coach came installed with the Firestone air bags on the rear axle. I added the Air Lift WirelessAir ( https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/72000/ ) so I can adjust the air bag pressure (and height) without leaving the drivers seat. When I had the rear bags at 80 psi or more, I occasional experienced the front suspension bottom out. I purchased Air Lift bags for my front coil springs but then wanted the same wireless feature for adjusting on the fly. Unfortunately that meant buying another WirelessAir system since the remote doesn't control two axles. A good chunk of change latter I am pleased with the setup.
So when I know I am going to be pulling into a fuel station I just bump up the bag pressures to lift the coach some to clear and then bump them back down when I get back on the road.
The other cool thing is to be able to dump the pressures from all the bags before using my hydraulic levelers since you're not supposed to lift the coach with air pressure in the bags.
It's not foolproof since some steep curbs still cause my skids at the hitch to sometimes drag. I already bought skid wheels but my skids are configured a bit different so I might have to weld the skid wheel plate on.
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 05:52 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deaver
Ben
By lifting the rear without raising the front, you may induce abnormal wear as well as handling problems to the front suspension components.
Instead, take a look at these items HERE
|
After all the comments on this subject, I decided to order the Ultra-Fab steel roller for my hitch. Will keep you posted on how well it works once installed. Thx Deaver for the link.
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
|
|
|
07-07-2015, 06:13 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 259
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by benagi
After all the comments on this subject, I decided to order the Ultra-Fab steel roller for my hitch. Will keep you posted on how well it works once installed. Thx Deaver for the link.
|
You will get the best result for your dragging issue with the wheels. I like my airbags so I can make on the fly ( I have the on board airlift compressor system) to adjust to road conditions, but the airbags are no help for the dragging issue.
__________________
2009 Sunseeker 2860DS
Bulldog keyless entry
Firestone airbags
Airlift remote compressor system
Ultragauge EM Plus OBDII monitor
|
|
|
07-22-2015, 04:57 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by benagi
After all the comments on this subject, I decided to order the Ultra-Fab steel roller for my hitch. Will keep you posted on how well it works once installed. Thx Deaver for the link.
|
I ordered the above roller but big problem. They don't fit the receiver hitch on the 3171. The way the steel plate that is welded to the hitch where you hook your chains when towing is at an angle and there is not enough room to slide this steel roller assembly up on the receiver hitch. You would have to grind a bit of steel out to make it fit. Didn't want to do that. Just shipped back today. You have to pay return shipping ($11.00). Lesson learned.
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
|
|
|
07-22-2015, 05:07 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Kaysville, Utah
Posts: 475
|
Ben, I'm anxious to hear what you come up with. -Steve
|
|
|
07-22-2015, 05:56 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
|
I bought also. I'm going to try and modify mine to make it work. I also bought the wireless airlift system. Plan to install that this week if I have time.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
|
|
|
07-22-2015, 06:44 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by papap
I bought also. I'm going to try and modify mine to make it work. I also bought the wireless airlift system. Plan to install that this week if I have time.
|
Papap, I was speaking with Ultra Fab today when getting my return label and I told them I was thinking of modifying their unit but decided not to. They said that was a good decision because it voids any warranty. If you are modifying the receiver hitch so it will accept the roller, then you are good to go. When your done, plz take pics, I would like to see what you did.
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
|
|
|
07-22-2015, 08:04 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by benagi
I ordered the above roller but big problem. They don't fit the receiver hitch on the 3171. The way the steel plate that is welded to the hitch where you hook your chains when towing is at an angle and there is not enough room to slide this steel roller assembly up on the receiver hitch. You would have to grind a bit of steel out to make it fit. Didn't want to do that. Just shipped back today. You have to pay return shipping ($11.00). Lesson learned.
|
Hence why I stated what I did:
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgilly
I already bought skid wheels but my skids are configured a bit different so I might have to weld the skid wheel plate on.
|
I stated "skids are different" but meaning the receiver hitch where the Ultra Fab wheel would mount. I am now considering the welded wheels on the skid bars that are also on the receiver hitch.
I just came back from a trip - nothing has bottomed out since I installed the WirelessAir system. I really think that helps. I bumped my rear bag pressure up right before entering a Flying J fuel station. I felt certain I would have dragged just a little on the entry drive curb if I hadn't bumped the pressure.
Bobby
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|