Air shocks

[Hollysrush]

We have a new jayco Melbourne which bottoms out on slight incline. The Helwigs are not helping. We are thinking maybe we should have air shocks such as Bilstien. Would this help the problem and if so are they hard to install? Tried asking dealer where we bought motorhome, they are no help.

[Skip426]

Not familure with Helwigs ? But as a rule air shocks provide very little lift. Better off looking into air bags.
Can you tell what's hitting?
What I thought was the trailer hitch on my coach touching , turned out to be a metal bar on the lower edge of the mud flap, sounds awful but , now I know I'll live with it .

[blackf3504dr]

The shock mounts aren't designed to carry a load and could bend or break under the weight of the coach. A better solution would be air bags that install on the axle.

[Hollysrush]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Not familure with Helwigs ? But as a rule air shocks provide very little lift. Better off looking into air bags.
Can you tell what's hitting?
What I thought was the trailer hitch on my coach touching , turned out to be a metal bar on the lower edge of the mud flap, sounds awful but , now I know I'll live with it .

What is hitting is the right rear of motorhome actual taking pieces off of fiberglass on rear, we have no bumper. Also on left side depending on which way we are going. Thanks for advise, we will be looking into airbags.

[Hollysrush]

Actually found out it is airbags my husband is looking at. Now big question, he thinks he can install but I see disaster on the horizon. I have been down this road before, are they hard to install if you have basic mechanical knowledge?

[Skip426]

Most installs would be a bolt-on job, basic hand tools, drill.
Only problem I could see would be SAFE access, heavy duty jack and axle stands., wheels may have to come off. Installation instructions with the kit should tell you what you need to do.

[blackf3504dr]

What Skip said... Should be an easy DIY project.

[SaltyoftheAL]

Originally Posted by Hollysrush

Actually found out it is airbags my husband is looking at. Now big question, he thinks he can install but I see disaster on the horizon. I have been down this road before, are they hard to install if you have basic mechanical knowledge?

just call your life insurance company before he get's started....

[Hollysrush]

Thanks Salty, feel so much better now, lol.

[rvguy40]

The biggest problem with the Melbourne ( we sell them) is that they have an excessively long overhang, and are build with low ground clearance. If it were me, I would explore the option of having the springs re-arched or spacers of some sort added to give a bit more clearance. Airbags may work but will give a harsher ride..

[bearaboo]

You can go to a truck spring shop and they can re-arch and add a leaf for you. Raised my C 2 inches.

[Hollysrush]

Thank you guys so much, showed these posts to husband and he is going to check out. Yes our Melbourne does have quite an over hang, funny how you don't really notice this stuff when buying. I think you only see what you want to see. I am so glad I found this rv forum because I have learned a lot reading the different posts and we aren't newbies but sometimes you would think we were. This is our 3rd MH and with each one it was a different learning experience. I wish now we would have kept our Lazy Daze, no problems and paid for but oh no, I had to have slides......

[Eric_H_E]

Can you put rollers or hd casters on the frame in the rear?

[AirLift]

Originally Posted by Hollysrush

What is hitting is the right rear of motorhome actual taking pieces off of fiberglass on rear, we have no bumper. Also on left side depending on which way we are going. Thanks for advise, we will be looking into airbags.

I can certainly help you find an air bag kit that would work for you. I would just need to know what kind of chassis you have, the chassis year, and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Let me know if you have any additional questions, I'd be happy to assist you.