P30 workhorse frame not level front to rear

[11848]

I have a 1998 Fleetwood Flair 25y. Recently purchased. I need to level the frame out, front to back. The rear of the rv sits about 4 inches higher than the front when fully loaded with water and gas, but is level left to right. I replaced the front coils and airbags hoping it would lift the front to compensate but only helped a little. I have looked at other 1998 25y's on the internet and most sit level when viewed from the side. I have looked at the rear suspension arrangement and it looks normal. The frame is a P30 type, 454. Also want to know if it comes standard with autobrake. I have read a lot about it and it seems a system destined to cause me grief. Any thoughts on the rear suspension would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dana

[DriVer]

Service Tip -

For units that appear to have a low front ride height due to operating at near front suspension capacity or if air bag cylinders have been run below minimum recommended pressure:
1. Jack up the motor home by the middle of the front cross member and allow the wheels to hang.
2. Remove the air from the air bag and re-inflate the air bag to the proper pressure.
3. Lower the unit and bleed off air (as necessary) to maintain proper air bag pressure.

This may provide some ride height improvement as the air bag tends to stretch lengthwise slightly with this procedure.

[11848]

DriVer,

Thanks for replying. The front is close to operating where it should. may be able to go up an inch. But the rear suspension seems to be riding very high, about 4 inches higher whe measured at the rear and front, on the rear suspension. Can not figure out why. I have seen others on the internet that appear level.

Thanks, Dana

[ronmc]

What problem is it giving you? If no problem,don't worry about it.

[max49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11848 DriVer, But the rear suspension seems to be riding very high, about 4 inches higher whe measured at the rear and front Thanks, Dana

That could be good thing. Your MH thinks it's going downhill all the time and you should get better gas mileage and go faster too.

sorry I just could'nt resist. It is a common complaint that the front seems low on the P-32. IMO the front and back seem too low for me, but contrary to most opinions, my P-32 rides pretty smooth and handles fine and drives straight. I see no reason to buy all the aftermarket sway, torsion or whatever bars people buy for MHs.

[11848]

max49, ronmc,

I did some more research yesterday. Took it to the scales ( about 5000# on the front and 7000# rear) and then to a spring shop. The frame sits about 2 1/2" high in the back, measured wheel to wheel, and this is when loaded with water and gas. This gives it about a 4" rise from the front bumper to the rear one. Spring shop felt that it was pretty close to what could be expeced. They did not try to sell a fix. It rides fine on the road. The spring shop is checking to see if the heavy duty spring would be ok for the front vice the SD one I have installed, maybe raising the front a little. Also, they said there is a 5/8 spacer on the rear leaf springs that can be removed, taking it down a little. As said, rides fine but would like it closer to level so it does not have to be leveled every time it is parked on a level pad. I plan on driving it from the Sacramento area to Tucson for Christmas. May wait until after the trip to get a good feel of it before making more changes.
Thanks for the responses, Dana

[11848]

ronmc,
No problems driving, drives/rides well. I just feel that being more level would facilitate fewer problems when parking.
Thanks for the response, Dana

[edgray]

11848:

Just passing along some info you may find "interesting". Up near the top of this forum is a "sticky" about "OLD stickeys". If you open it you will see a drop down list, with # 5 being all about the P series chassis and its nomenclature. Ed