Community Forums

rvguy40 · 08-12-2012, 03:13 PM

Here's the pics of the front suspension and of the Hellwig buggy spring..I tried to capture an image of the brochure but it wouldn't come out clear. If you wish to spend the time, look in the National forum for brochures, look up the 97 Seabreeze and on the options page you will see it listed for the coach. Btw, the sway bar bushings are missing, I took wat was left of them out, and bolted it back together in case I had to move it to mow before the new bushings arrive.....

az bound · 08-12-2012, 06:01 PM

I Have never seen that suspension mod before. The coils do not even look like OEM. Cant see well enough to count the coils so they could be. Most aftermarket have heavier steel and fewer coils.

rvguy40 · 08-12-2012, 08:43 PM

I never had either until I sold a 37'Dolphin off our lot and it had the same Hellwig setup. I also thought the previous owner had added it.I never investigated it any further until the next year when I bought this Seabreeze and found out that National installed them on 33' and larger on the Chevy chassis. As best I can tell the springs are original. My dealership sold it new, took it on trade, sold it again, took it in again, and then I bought it. Both previous owners I have contact with, and they were both meticulous on their record keeping so I have most of the receipts as well as dealer service records since it was new for anything we have done to it. The bell cranks and ball joints are new, the roof on it is 6 yrs old....its been very well maintained compared to many newer coaches we get in on trade, I'd have been a fool to not have purchased it.... I absolutely love that lil ol thing !

az bound · 08-13-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeatherTodd

Been looking around the used RV market the better part of 5+ years. Most Chevys with IFS sit pretty darn low and without the airbags have the bumpstops riding on the frame.
Spring fatigue is not uncommon and really should be addressed before continously putting "bandaids" to cure a real suspension issue.

A set of proper rated coil springs might sell for $400. Labor should be 2-4hrs TOPS. YOu can add airbags once you have the proper weight coils for your application if you wanted additional load capacity.

You are mistaken. Springs and airbags do not change the load rating of the suspension. If that were the case one could modify a Toyota to carry a ten ton load simply by adding heavy springs.

southland · 08-13-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az bound

You are mistaken. Springs and airbags do not change the load rating of the suspension. If that were the case one could modify a Toyota to carry a ten ton load simply by adding heavy springs.

Had a MH overbuilt (weight) on a Toyota chassis. Used the bags to raise the sagging rear end. They did not correct the overweight and rubbing of the inside tire walls (duals). Narrow tires corrected that but I was still overloaded for the chassis.

jettyjock · 08-13-2012, 09:33 AM

I replaced mine last year and was less than $100. It takes alot of pushing and soapy water but was done in 2 hours. Took longer to run and mount the tubing. going to the bag.