Are my rear springs shot ?

[givemeaboost]

I've got a 2000 33 ft Gulf Stream on the F53 chassis and wondering if the rear springs are sagged out after 47,000 miles and 20 years old. I measured the distance between the springs and the snubbers and there is only 1 7/8'' clearance. The gas tank ( 75 gal ) is almost full and the fresh, grey and black tanks are all empty. All these tanks are behind the rear axle which I would think that when I fill the fresh tank with 60 gallons it'll sink even lower. What's the general consensus on this as far as new springs or airbags ? It actually tows pretty good but drags the hitch on any small dip. I've done the CHF on it (works like a charm) and hope to have a rear track bar built in the next couple of days so handling will be OK

[jmckinley]

Definitely time to add air bags. With less than 2" travel, your rear axle is bottoming out on the rock hard jounce bumper when you hit bumps. Air spring will cushion it and make the ride better. I speak from experience. Just did mine this summer at 90,000 miles. Significant improvement. Wife noticed it right away and Cat, who always rides in the back, complains less.

My pet theory is that new units would benefit from eliminating at least one rear leaf and adding air bags. But that's another discussion.

[givemeaboost]

Another question. Will my rear track bar be in the way of the air bag mounts ?


Ken........

[TeJay]

I've got both and there's no interference. I added the TB then the air bags last year. The rear air bags mount outside the frame between the leaf springs. There was a wiring harness in the way but it can be moved enough to eliminate any issues.

John didn't share how he mounted the air lines but I placed my air lines up under the engine hood. Also added a small 12-volt air compressor so I can remove the air if I'm to far off level and the rear wheels might come off the ground. I blew one air bag because of that.

With all 4 air fill lines under the hood if they are all empty or even before we leave on any trip I check and correct the pressures in less than 2 minutes. Air bags are like tires.

You may not have an air leak today but eventually you'll check your tire pressures and they'll need to be corrected. Well the same is true for air bags.

Yes I carry a larger air compressor but the 12-V one has a plug in power source at the wiper motor and I turn the key to the ACC position and fill the bags. Almost couldn't be easier.

Any semi truck place has air line by the foot and it's cheap. You will have enough air lines with the air bag kits to run air from the front air bags to a convenient place under the hood but not the rear.

Neither John nor I like the quick connect/disconnect air line fittings but finding the older compression brass fittings isn't easy.

We traveled 4,250 miles this summer with 4 air bags and I removed the air at each of 15 camp sights and filled when we departed the next morning. It's not a big deal. I also experimented with different pressures as well.

[givemeaboost]

That's good to know about blowing them when you raise it up to level it. I would never have thought about that. I'm going to put them on my Christmas wish list.


Ken..........

[TeJay]

Ken,

I ruined one when I was leaving for Canada fishing trip. When I called the company the tech said when raising the wheels to much the pressure has no where to go and the bags become longer and linger until they can't hold the pressure and bang.

When hitting bumps they can take a lot of pressures but lifting the wheels off the ground is more than they can take which make sense.

I've been told the shocks limit that by lifting the rear axle. If it did it wasn't enough. I guess one could add a chain or some straps but I don't mind releasing the air.

Even when it's only lifting slightly I'll just check the air bag for pressure and most of the time there's little to no pressure in the bags. Better safe than sorry at $100+ to replace an AB no thanks.