How many air bags do most Diesel Pushers have?

[Philliec]

We bought a 2008 35' HR Neptune XL a few years ago. After reading this Monaco forum I have seen a lot of discussions on 4 bag vs. 8 bag . This is a typical Roadmaster discussion, but how about the other manufacturers. What do they typically install? I read the Tiffin uses 4 bags up to 39'. I do not know if this is true, but what does Freightliner, Spartan . . . use on their chassis?

I am asking because I have been quite happy with my ride in the Colorado-Utah mountains. However, a few weeks ago we were on I25 north of Denver and the construction made the ride miserable. This construction bumps practically launched us in the air to come down with a crunch. Is it because of the 4 bags, or would An 8 bagger have the same problem?

[Mike Canter]

No doubt that the eight bag would be a little smoother but the number of bags depends on the amount of weight of the body. What I would look at is if you have Monroe shocks on your unit and if you do then if you have greater than 16,000 miles on it I would change them to Bilsteins or Koni shocks. Monroe shocks historically go bad after 16,000 miles and really give a bad ride

[the_vfox]

Mine has four bags.

[onechaddude]

Originally Posted by Philliec

We bought a 2008 35' HR Neptune XL a few years ago. After reading this Monaco forum I have seen a lot of discussions on 4 bag vs. 8 bag . This is a typical Roadmaster discussion, but how about the other manufacturers. What do they typically install? I read the Tiffin uses 4 bags up to 39'. I do not know if this is true, but what does Freightliner, Spartan . . . use on their chassis?

I am asking because I have been quite happy with my ride in the Colorado-Utah mountains. However, a few weeks ago we were on I25 north of Denver and the construction made the ride miserable. This construction bumps practically launched us in the air to come down with a crunch. Is it because of the 4 bags, or would An 8 bagger have the same problem?

I have an 07 neptune and it is 4 bagger also. Basically same as yours. I added the source engineering ride enhancement kit along with their trailing arms. I hope you have had those changed as it is a safety defect. The REK really made an improvement in the ride of mine. Before my coach was better than a gas chassis but rougher than higher $$$ coach. Now I am very pleased with the ride even on very rough roads.

Chad

[MSHappyCampers]

Our Windsor has 8 bags with full air leveling! We love it!

[Philliec]

Thank you all. I have replaced the trailing arms using Source Engineering's fix on my Neptune. The REK could me next, but until the last trip on I-25, I did not think that I needed the REK. On the 8 bag Chassis do you feel the bad bumps on construction projects or the real bad bridge abutments, or does the 8 bag chassis dampen it till it is a non-issue? Those are my only complaints.

How many air bags are on a Tiffin? How about a Newmar? Are they all 8 air bag chassis?

[Mr_D]

Our Magna has 6 air bags and auto level. Two bags on the front IFS, two on the drive and two on the liftable tag.
Any of the RV's that use the Freightliner or Spartan chassis will only have two air bags per axle. Even our Country Coach built chassis only has 6.

[96 Wideglide]

I think Roadmaster chassis under most larger Monaco / HR's / Beavers, were the only chassis that came with more than 4 air bags.

Edit, Just read D's post. The other chassis with tag axles will have 2 more.

[Philliec]

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

No doubt that the eight bag would be a little smoother but the number of bags depends on the amount of weight of the body. What I would look at is if you have Monroe shocks on your unit and if you do then if you have greater than 16,000 miles on it I would change them to Bilsteins or Koni shocks. Monroe shocks historically go bad after 16,000 miles and really give a bad ride

Mike,

That was exactly what I was thinking. I have Bilstein shocks on the front and the old Monroe on the back. The Bilstein's on the front was why I thought my ride was acceptable until this last trip. The REK by Source sounds like a good idea, but it is the whole package including the shocks that you must buy. Is it really the shocks that make the difference and the ping tank is sort of superfluous?

[Dogpatch]

Our 01' Beaver has eight airbags. Inner and outer on each wheel.
Magnum chassis rides like a dream!

[SteveLevin]

My Spartan has two bags per axle. (so 4 total). I'm not clear of the real advantages of having more bags per axle -- and with IFS up front and a trailing arm rear suspension, I'm not clear how it would even work.

Our ride is pretty cushy; our dining table is free standing and we routinely travel with bottles of water, etc., on it, even on California's lousy roads.

Steve

[Philliec]

Thanks again. This Is all good stuff and quite enlightening. Having a Roadmaster chassis and Monaco product, I keep comparing my Neptune with 4 bags to the other Monaco products with 8 bags. It is interesting that most of the industry is at 2 bags per axle just like the Neptune. Also, the weight of the 35' Neptune is much less too. If I get the REK I will probably be on parr with most other motorhome out there.

[Willie300s]

Weigh the coach and set tire pressure accordingly. Over inflated tires are the cause of the harsh ride over rough roads and bridge joints. New shocks will not resolve the problem but may in fact make it worse.

[Gdawgs]

Originally Posted by Philliec

Thanks again. This Is all good stuff and quite enlightening. Having a Roadmaster chassis and Monaco product, I keep comparing my Neptune with 4 bags to the other Monaco products with 8 bags. It is interesting that most of the industry is at 2 bags per axle just like the Neptune. Also, the weight of the 35' Neptune is much less too. If I get the REK I will probably be on parr with most other motorhome out there.

My coach has 10 air bags and 10 shocks, 4 bags and shocks for the front axle, 4 bags and shocks for the drive axle and 2 bags and shocks for the tag, with 295 tires. Rides very well.