Community Forums

Nikki B · 04-21-2022, 08:21 PM

I had two front suspension airbags blow, one blew two hours after setting up camp, and the second one blew two hours after the first one, they were the original airbags from 2006. I had roadside repair service replace both airbags as it was very difficult to find a towing company with the correct equipment to tow the coach and when I found a couple of them one wanted $1,700.00 and the other wanted $2,800.00 to tow me 71 miles as it was Easter weekend. My Question Is: what made the airbags blow, could it be the age only or is there something else that could have caused it along with the age?

Nikki B.
2006 Country Coach, Intrigue, Elation 40'
Cummings 400HP

Jon_C · 04-21-2022, 08:51 PM

Rubber ages out at 10 years even if its never been used so anything past that age is pushing luck. I changed all 4 of mine when I bought my coach in 2018 and at 20 years old they looked about ready to pop and they were leaking air.

RightUR · 04-21-2022, 08:58 PM

Yeah, I'm with Jon C. "Old Age." lol.
so what did the replacement and labor run you?

BrianGlenn · 04-22-2022, 06:31 AM

Were you high in the front at the camp spot? At full air pressure the air bags when leveling and trying to raise front to highest level can have max air pressure of 125 or 135 psi depending on governor cut out pressure. Both air bags would be fully extended at max height. That could be why both blew near same time. Normal ride height would be about 40-60 psi (est) depending on Coach weight.

As mentioned age will deteriorate external and cracks/rubber spalling will reduce air bag integrity and possibly blow at less than rated pressure.

EDIT - as well once one air bag blew the other one was loaded with more weight compensating for blown bag - also contribute to second bag blowing - it may have increased pressure above max air supply pressure simply with heavier load (compress airbag).

Brian.

**CountryFit** · 04-22-2022, 08:15 AM

Heard a lot that the bags were blown while parked, not on the run. Brian was right on the money.

Jon_C · 04-22-2022, 08:21 AM

I changed them myself, bought the bags from freightliner for about $250 each

deandec · 04-22-2022, 11:49 AM

Excellent work by your roadside repair service!!!

bpu699 · 04-22-2022, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon_C

I changed them myself, bought the bags from freightliner for about $250 each

Was that recently? I just bought a spare front and rear, $350 and $400…

Jon_C · 04-23-2022, 09:01 AM

[QUOTE=bpu699;Was that recently? I just bought a spare front and rear, $350 and $400…[/QUOTE]

It was mid 2019, heres the thread i made on it. I think total for 4 with tax was $1100

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/cha...ry-445611.html

Nikki B · 04-26-2022, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianGlenn

Were you high in the front at the camp spot? At full air pressure the air bags when leveling and trying to raise front to highest level can have max air pressure of 125 or 135 psi depending on governor cut out pressure. Both air bags would be fully extended at max height. That could be why both blew near same time. Normal ride height would be about 40-60 psi (est) depending on Coach weight.

As mentioned age will deteriorate external and cracks/rubber spalling will reduce air bag integrity and possibly blow at less than rated pressure.

EDIT - as well once one air bag blew the other one was loaded with more weight compensating for blown bag - also contribute to second bag blowing - it may have increased pressure above max air supply pressure simply with heavier load (compress airbag).

Brian.

I was at about 50%, so not too high as the camp spot was not too bad and I understand what your saying on the second bag compensating and the additional weight on one bag.

thank YOU for your input.

Nikki B · 04-26-2022, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RightUR

Yeah, I'm with Jon C. "Old Age." lol.
so what did the replacement and labor run you?

Road Service - $135.00
Two Airbags - $440.00
Labor - $540.00
tax - $31.90
Total $1,146.90

I guess this is better than the $1,700.00- $2,800.00 they wanted for a 71mile tow plus the warrantee covered it (-100.00 deductible.)

Fredward · 04-29-2022, 11:30 AM

Take a look at the air regulator on the electric compressor in the front run bay. Might have the pressure set too high which when the system tried to level by raising the front it put too much pressure to the bags. I've seen that happen on tag axle bags before.

Not sure about this statement; but I don't think the air suspension system runs more than about 80 psi; I believe there is a regulator between the air brake tanks and the suspension. Don't quote me on that.
Fred

Nikki B · 05-01-2022, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredward

Take a look at the air regulator on the electric compressor in the front run bay. Might have the pressure set too high which when the system tried to level by raising the front it put too much pressure to the bags. I've seen that happen on tag axle bags before.

Not sure about this statement; but I don't think the air suspension system runs more than about 80 psi; I believe there is a regulator between the air brake tanks and the suspension. Don't quote me on that.
Fred

Thank YOU Fred, I'll check into that.

wolfe10 · 05-01-2022, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredward

Take a look at the air regulator on the electric compressor in the front run bay. Might have the pressure set too high which when the system tried to level by raising the front it put too much pressure to the bags. I've seen that happen on tag axle bags before.

Not sure about this statement; but I don't think the air suspension system runs more than about 80 psi; I believe there is a regulator between the air brake tanks and the suspension. Don't quote me on that.
Fred

Sorry, I don't understand.

When in travel mode/driving, the RIDE HEIGHT VALVES control air to the air bags. Higher PSI may make them fill faster, but only to exactly the same height controlled by the ride height valve AND therefore the same bag PSI.