Airbag modification = smoother ride.

[daledrob]

Some Motor Homes I understand have eight air bags. While most only have four and my motor home is one of those with only four Air bags. I would like to know if there's a kit to put larger airbags up under my frame.
I'm not sure as I am not an engineer, and I have not checked the size of the air bags on trucks and trailers to see what size air bags they have. They appear to be larger airbags. If you Have the room to put a larger Set of airbags on and ran less air Pressure then you should get a smoother ride.

[Gordon Dewald]

Why do you want to put on larger air bags?

[Gordon Dewald]

IMO there is little benefit to be gained by putting in different air bags. I think you would have to re-engineer a lot of things to put in different air bags. I have heard that 8 air bags are better than 4. There is probably a rationale but getting the air bags farther out would bring some benefit in stability.

(Mod Edit)

[daledrob]

For the smooth ride like a transit buss has that is why there is 8 bags on some MHs.

[homecan1]

I have never seen a "kit" for upgrading air-bags. Certainly may be possible but it would have to be engineered to maintain suspension geometry, etc. Have you ever replaced the shocks? Upgraded or new shocks could also improve the ride.

Good luck

[336muffin]

Originally Posted by homecan1

I have never seen a "kit" for upgrading air-bags. Certainly may be possible but it would have to be engineered to maintain suspension geometry, etc. Have you ever replaced the shocks? Upgraded or new shocks could also improve the ride.

Good luck

I agree on the shocks. I replaced the Bilsteins with Koni's and couldn't believe how much better it rides and drives. I've had four American Coachs and thought I was happy with ride and handling till I changed. Might be worth checking into.

[bdpreece]

Suspect you may be experiencing the same type of problem we had with our 2004 National Tropi Cal. We also had the XC chassis. We would get a horrible rock and roll motion when ever pulling off the road into parking lots or on rough roads, Never got around to installing them but the best solution seemed to be the Henderson Super Steer Motion Control Valves SuperSteer Motion Control Unit 1/2� – Over 30,000 lb GVW
There are several sizes depending on the weight of your motorhome so if you buy make sure you get the correct ones.

[daledrob]

Originally Posted by homecan1

I have never seen a "kit" for upgrading air-bags. Certainly may be possible but it would have to be engineered to maintain suspension geometry, etc. Have you ever replaced the shocks? Upgraded or new shocks could also improve the ride.

Good luck

I just replaced my shocks I have 4 New Bilstein shocks.

[daledrob]

[QUOTE=336muffin;3555731]I agree on the shocks. I replaced the Bilsteins with Koni's and couldn't believe how much better it rides and drives. I've had four American Coachs and thought I was happy with ride and handling till I changed. Might be worth

[daledrob]

[QUOTE=daledrob;3555759]

Originally Posted by 336muffin

I agree on the shocks. I replaced the Bilsteins with Koni's and couldn't believe how much better it rides and drives. I've had four American Coachs and thought I was happy with ride and handling till I changed. Might be worth

So you think the koni shocks ride better than the bilsteins and that's what actually improved your ride. Does it ride more like a transit bus and float down the road.
It doesn't have the teeth rattling sharp bumps at some spots on the pavement. Or when you hit a pothole you're concerned that your cabinets might come loose and fall down.
I just put new bilsteins on

[Gordon Dewald]

Have you weighed the coach and set the tire pressures as recommended in the tire inflation chart? Or do you have the tires inflated to the max pressure recommended by the coach manufacturer?

[Mr_D]

After Newmar had Spartan change the front axle from a 12,000# unit to a 14,600# unit they had a local shop change the front air bags to larger units. But that was a factory modification to get better ride and frankly I couldn't tell the difference.
I also went through 5 sets of shocks while working with Reyco-Granning on the poor ride. Ended up with Bilstein Comfitrack as the best with the KONI adjustable right in there too, in fact it was a tossup to me. Rig had the Bilsteins on it when we traded it in.

[336muffin]

[QUOTE=daledrob;3555777]

Originally Posted by daledrob

So you think the koni shocks ride better than the bilsteins and that's what actually improved your ride. Does it ride more like a transit bus and float down the road.
It doesn't have the teeth rattling sharp bumps at some spots on the pavement. Or when you hit a pothole you're concerned that your cabinets might come loose and fall down.
I just put new bilsteins on

There is big difference between Bilsteins and Koni. Bilsteins are a gas shock and adds to the spring rate and stiffness. Koni's are a hydraulic dampened shock which adds nothing to the suspension except dampening. Gas shock must be forced to compress to install but oil filled shocks when compressed will stay in place. I have worked with suspensions in design and fabrication of such. In my opinion Koni's solved my ride problems.

[twinboat]

I thought the gas, in gas shocks, just kept the oil from cavatating.

From Bilstein.


Mono-/Twin-Tube Technology

Lowering

Round threads, Triple-C-Technology®

Adjustable Systems

Road-Tested by BILSTEIN

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Basic Know-How

Gas Pressure Technology

[http://www]

Over time, the mono-tube gas pressure technology*developed by BILSTEIN has established*itself as a standard in automotive construction. This technology involves keeping the oil in the*absorber under pressure, which prevents it*from foaming when temperatures and loads are*increasing. As a result, full damping power is*retained even when the system is placed under extreme stress, a feature that can be observed*in the self-lowering piston.

Ensures a high level of traction and more precise handlingA must-have for powerful sport suspensionsAdded safety in all dynamic driving situations