Raise front end ground clearance?

[Glad2bhere]

We have a new to us '05 Itasca 29R on an '04 Workhorse chassis. The previous owner had major front end work done including replacing the coil springs and adding Bilstein shocks. The original air bags are no longer present.
I do not know the original ground clearance for the retracted levelers, but the current clearance is only about 4" and I have a lot of concern about going places we're used to boondocking. The coach does not sit level with the rear about 3-4" higher than the front. Rear clearance of the retracted levelers seems barely adequate.
The ride is pretty soft though the heavy sway bars do a great job on cornering.
I would like to have another 3-4" of lift on the front end. I'm considering Air Lift 1000 coil spring air helpers. The literature does not mention adding lift, only firmness. Any suggestions appreciated before I go to suspension shops..


Thanks!

[Isaac-1]

Given that you mention coil springs I assume you have a P32 coach, there are specific measurements you need to take for front end alignment, you can find the information in this pdf https://www.oemys-performance.com/me...-alignment.pdf

[D Gardiner]

The coach should sit fairly level front to rear.

Question:
What color are your front coil springs.
Will help us to identify the manufacture.

Our coach sat very low in the front, before we weighed the coach, and ordered a weight-matched set from SuperSteer.

[Isaac-1]

Factory springs were Blue from 2001-2005 due to a production mistake in 2001 where the wrong springs were installed requiring a small recall. In order to spot the bad springs, the recall replacements, and all new factory springs were painted blue.

[Arch Hoagland]

OP said:
"The original air bags are no longer present."

I didn't know the Workhorse chassis had air bags. Mine sure doesn't.

[d23haynes57]

A feature of many of the Chevy-Workhorse chassis with the independent front suspension was air assist inside the coil springs.

[David 70]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

OP said:
"The original air bags are no longer present."

I didn't know the Workhorse chassis had air bags. Mine sure doesn't.

Your W22 has leaf springs. The P32 has independent front suspension with coil springs and an air bag inside them. I was of the understanding that Workhorse had replaced the P32 with a W18 in their later years.

[Isaac-1]

I think the last year of the P32 chassis was 2006

[D Gardiner]

To OP:

A picture of your suspension showing your front springs, will help many.

The SuperSteer (Blue) colored spring that I posted earlier are the ones we installed into our P32. Company logo showing.

For reference, SuperSteer advertises (if you order the weight rated springs for your coach - after getting the front axle weight from a scale) you will not need assist air bags.
I can say our couch has settled an inch (measured at the fender to ground) in 7 years, and over 20K miles since installation. Which is to be expected.

Note: Fender to ground, is not how the factory measures the suspension.

The Air Lift 1000 air bags are the correct ones for the P32 chassis. They can help to slightly raise the coach. But as stated, they are mainly there to assist the springs.

To Measure How: Measure from the lower bump stop rubber top, to the steel pad it hits under full compression. Our coach measures 2-1/2". See attached photo below.

Post from SuperSteer that will help to confirm this:
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/p32-...ml#post1964554

[Glad2bhere]

Thanks for the replies! It's a P32 chassis. Shop that did the work weighed the front axle at 5,780. They list the springs as GP6Green HD coil springs. They sure look black to me. I'll take some more measurements today of clearances.

[1972VWbus]

http://truckroadservice.com/barth_at...entProcess.pdf


Page: 18...


In the front, the measurement is checked on each side between the lower control arm rubber bumper bracket and cross member flange. This measurement must be perpendicular to the cross member flange. It is from “iron to iron”. The rubber bumper is ignored. Look at the illustration
below.

[Glad2bhere]

BTW, We do not have front shocks as originally stated. Thanks for the suspension manual. Good food for thought re: original air assist bags inflated to 90 psi for 5500 front axle. We have the 6000 lb axle on our '04 chassis for the Itasca 29R.
Right bumper stop metal to metal is 4" (1" bumper to stop), left is 3 1/2 metal to metal (1/2" bumper to stop). Obviously shiny metal from regular use!
I'm beginning to believe we may have the wrong springs and for sure would benefit from air bags since there are no shocks.
Comments appreciated.

[Isaac-1]

I just noticed your location in Oregon, given this mess, I would highly suggest taking it to Henderson Line Up in Grants Pass, they are one of the best RV suspension shops in the US.

[Fyrflie]

Originally Posted by Glad2bhere

BTW, We do not have front shocks as originally stated. Thanks for the suspension manual. Good food for thought re: original air assist bags inflated to 90 psi for 5500 front axle. We have the 6000 lb axle on our '04 chassis for the Itasca 29R.
Right bumper stop metal to metal is 4" (1" bumper to stop), left is 3 1/2 metal to metal (1/2" bumper to stop). Obviously shiny metal from regular use!
I'm beginning to believe we may have the wrong springs and for sure would benefit from air bags since there are no shocks.
Comments appreciated.

Looking at your pictures, the shock absorbers are the yellow cylinders on the rear side of the A-Arm.
Do yourself a favor and replace the OEM shocks with the Koni shocks. You will thank me later.
The Super Steer coil springs were/are painted Blue. There are other manufacturers that sell aftermarket springs that were/are painted Black.
Going to Hendersons for their opinion would be my choice.
Good luck and let us know how it all works out.