Monaco Safari Diplomat Suspension

[f6ber]

I have a 2009 Safari 35 ft Diesel Pusher on 4 air bags. On our way home from Southern California to Canada I notice excessive swaying, a slight pull to the right and pulling to the left during deceleration. I took the mh to a Freightliner garage asap. I apparently have a broken rear right spring. The repair will be completed next week so we have 7 days of extended holiday.
I have 2 questions I would appreciate having answered. The first I’m embarrassed to ask but its driving me crazy, I thought I had air bags, where are the springs?? The second is the repair called for only one spring to be replaced. Is that satisfactory or should both sides be done. I do trust this dealership, they have been excellent!!
Answers would be appreciated. I am happy that repairs are being done but I am very curious.

[8.3Oilbuner]

Hi F6ber; I am going to guess, air bag, air spring. I think it is the old tomato or tomoto equation. The air bag is the spring in the suspension along with trailing arms, shocks etc. in the coach suspension. Not sure about the Safari, Diplomat part of your post. There are certain years of both that might have the same suspension system. Most Diplomat's that I am familiar with have the 8 air bag suspension like my 01 Windsor. There are people here who know all when it comes to chassis and suspension type. I am sure you will get a better answer than what l have provided, but this should answer part of your question. Have a great evening!

[Ivylog]

4 airbags is the same as 4 air springs. On that new a rig I would only replace one...airbags are usually good for 20+ years.

[f6ber]

Originally Posted by 8.3Oilbuner

Hi F6ber; I am going to guess, air bag, air spring. I think it is the old tomato or tomoto equation. The air bag is the spring in the suspension along with trailing arms, shocks etc. in the coach suspension. Not sure about the Safari, Diplomat part of your post. There are certain years of both that might have the same suspension system. Most Diplomat's that I am familiar with have the 8 air bag suspension like my 01 Windsor. There are people here who know all when it comes to chassis and suspension type. I am sure you will get a better answer than what l have provided, but this should answer part of your question. Have a great evening!

Thanks for the reply 8.3Oilburner. Maybe I should describe the model as 2009 Safari Diplomat made by Monaco. It does sit on 4 air bags. When I looked at the work order it described the part as a leaf spring. All I see when I look under the coach is an air bag. The lady at the front desk politely smiled and told me it has springs also. Of course you can’t talk to a mechanic. I can hardly wait to see how it gets repaired.

[f6ber]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

4 airbags is the same as 4 air springs. On that new a rig I would only replace one...airbags are usually good for 20+ years.

Thanks ivylog, I appreciate the advice and you must be right. My original diagnosis was for 2 leaf springs. The second was an actual quote for 1 spring. She probably just called it a spring. I sure wish you could talk to the mechanic in these big shops. Good news is it is covered by warranty. Cheers

[RustyTools]

OK, now I'm really confused. I've not heard that any of the Monaco DP's have 'leaf springs'. Please be careful there!

Also confused as to which Monaco model you're referring-to. I tried to google "2009 Safari Diplomat made by Monaco" to check about the possibility of leaf & air springs, but it didn't show that combination.

Like oilburner said, there's a huge brain-trust on here about the details. They'll be better able to help.


Good luck!

[f6ber]

Originally Posted by RustyTools

OK, now I'm really confused. I've not heard that any of the Monaco DP's have 'leaf springs'. Please be careful there!

Also confused as to which Monaco model you're referring-to. I tried to google "2009 Safari Diplomat made by Monaco" to check about the possibility of leaf & air springs, but it didn't show that combination.

Like oilburner said, there's a huge brain-trust on here about the details. They'll be better able to help.


Good luck!

Sorry about taking so long to reply. Very interesting, I just found out that the real problem is a broken right hand trailing arm. I did see where it was broken. I feel very fortunate that it was discovered before something serious happened. It broke just in front of the right rear axle. It actually was quite hard to see. By the way, there definitely are no leaf springs. Mystery solved but ooh, this repair is going to hurt!

[f6ber]

Originally Posted by f6ber

Sorry about taking so long to reply. Very interesting, I just found out that the real problem is a broken right hand trailing arm. I did see where it was broken. I feel very fortunate that it was discovered before something serious happened. It broke just in front of the right rear axle. It actually was quite hard to see. By the way, there definitely are no leaf springs. Mystery solved but ooh, this repair is going to hurt!

One more thing, I did buy the motorhome 4 years ago as a 2009 Monaco Safari Diplomat.

[RustyTools]

Several years ago you posted that you bought a 2009 Monaco Safari Cascade 35SBD diesel pusher. Is this the same RV?



And I'm surprised that your service shop told you it had leaf springs .



In any case, glad you found the problem before something bad happened! There are definiteley some suspension gurus on here that can help. Good luck.

[RamiDav]

What are they planning to do to repair it ?

Those trailing arms are a well known defect on those 4 bag chassis .
Any attempt at welding is asking for more problems .
There is a company called Source Engineering that makes heavy duty
replacement arms for your coach . That is who I would contact for parts .

Source Engineering Inc | Custom RV Chassis | Eugene, OR

[Dick1142]

Originally Posted by RamiDav

What are they planning to do to repair it ?

Those trailing arms are a well known defect on those 4 bag chassis .
Any attempt at welding is asking for more problems .
There is a company called Source Engineering that makes heavy duty
replacement arms for your coach . That is who I would contact for parts .

Source Engineering Inc | Custom RV Chassis | Eugene, OR

ALSO, the replacement trailing arms are very different than the originals. I would not (and did not) replace just one. They do the same thing, but design is different.

[f6ber]

Originally Posted by RamiDav

What are they planning to do to repair it ?

Those trailing arms are a well known defect on those 4 bag chassis .
Any attempt at welding is asking for more problems .
There is a company called Source Engineering that makes heavy duty
replacement arms for your coach . That is who I would contact for parts .

Source Engineering Inc | Custom RV Chassis | Eugene, OR

To the question about purchasing this motorhome several years ago and posting, it likely was me. I I purchased it in 2014.

With regard to the second question about welding. The answer is “no”. I definitely will get the trailing arms replaced with the heavy upgrades. When I purchased the mh I was very concerned about the trailing arms. The dealer assured me that the upgrades had been done.

[f6ber]

They are ordering trailing seems for both sides. I agree that would be very important. This will be a costly repair but I feel comfortable now that it will be fixed right.

Thanks to everyone that participated in this discussion. It certainly helped me.