Air bag replacement - Older Beaver Motorhome

[Contigo]

We are having a problem identifying the correct air bag to install in our older Beaver motorhome.

We have a 1997 Beaver Monterey (30') on a Magnum Chassis with Reyco air ride suspension - with a CAT 3126 engine. Our service centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada has identified that our air bags need replacement, but they are unable to cross reference a suitable air bag replacement without first removing an old one to see what it is. They're not keen on doing this because this will tie up one of their hydraulic lifts while they disable our air system, remove it and source a new one. It would be nice to have the correct ones in their hands before they start.

They contacted Beaver Motorcoach supply in Bend Oregon and were quoted $1,400 US for each airbag, plus freight and then their labour to install. $1,400 US is about $1,900 Canadian. A rough projection for 4 air bags installed comes to around $10,000 CDN in my mind, around $7,300 USD. Probably more, taxes and freight all in.

Really!?

Can others please tell me what your experience has been replacing an air bag suspension? And if anybody can point me in the right direction to find a suitable replacement air bag for the Beaver Monterey because of what you've done, please tell me.

Many thanks!

[MrMark52]

Maybe this - Beaver Info Page)

or this - http://www.serenitysys.com/beaver/ar...%20coaches.doc

will be of help.

[Argosy]

Air bags

[Contigo]

You two people are my heroes! Thank you both, this information is invaluable. I love finding this kind of information, can't thank you both enough for helping me.

[jacwjames]

The price you were quoted seems very high.

The airbags themselves are readily available and cost less then $200 each depending on brand. I bought two to carry as spares last year for $250. I decided not to change any because all of mine looked good with no signs of wear, only minor cracking, and no leaks.

I've read many posts on how to change an air bag, one recent poster stated he did 7 airbags in one day himself. If you have some mechanical skill it is a DYI'er job. I carry enough tools and feel confident I could do the job if needed.

A good truck shop should be able to do the job for substantially less money.

[153stars]

Holy unreasonable markup Batman. 4 hrs a bag at a guess of $150 hr seems a little steep as well but I don't know Magnum chassis... any other work involved ?.
Here's what I found.

On my 1996 Monterey/Magnum
Rear suspension Reyco 610AR: Reyco 20773-01 airbag xref to Firestone W01-358-8959, exact fit (you need a 1/4" brass plug and plumbing sealant). I paid $191.43 each plus shipping from*http://rsleafspring.com/

Front suspension Reyco 510AR: Reyco 20772-01 superseded to 22425-01 xref to Firestone W01‑358‑5777

[Sherpa Vern]

This Fireestone Catalog is helpful in determining the air bags that you need for your motorhome. It gives information on types and dimensions so you don't have to guess or remanufacture something that is not quite right.

https://www.firestoneairide.com/cont...erial_2014.pdf

[speedway]

Originally Posted by Contigo

We are having a problem identifying the correct air bag to install in our older Beaver motorhome.

We have a 1997 Beaver Monterey (30') on a Magnum Chassis with Reyco air ride suspension - with a CAT 3126 engine. Our service centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada has identified that our air bags need replacement, but they are unable to cross reference a suitable air bag replacement without first removing an old one to see what it is. They're not keen on doing this because this will tie up one of their hydraulic lifts while they disable our air system, remove it and source a new one. It would be nice to have the correct ones in their hands before they start.

They contacted Beaver Motorcoach supply in Bend Oregon and were quoted $1,400 US for each airbag, plus freight and then their labour to install. $1,400 US is about $1,900 Canadian. A rough projection for 4 air bags installed comes to around $10,000 CDN in my mind, around $7,300 USD. Probably more, taxes and freight all in.

Really!?

Can others please tell me what your experience has been replacing an air bag suspension? And if anybody can point me in the right direction to find a suitable replacement air bag for the Beaver Monterey because of what you've done, please tell me.

Many thanks!

That is very expensive for air bag. I paid $1400.00 for all 4 installed 1 year ago here in Florida. Even counting for exchange rate that price seems excessive.

Hope you locate a reasonably price air bag soon.

[John Jones]

I'd call Premier Rv services in Junction City Or. and talk with them. They have many techs that have worked in the business for years. I had mine replaced a couple of months ago on my country coach, it was a great experience.

[Contigo]

Thank you to each one of you! And please forgive me if this reply isn't posted to reflect me thanking each one of you personally - while I love this forum, I find it difficult to figure out how to reply personally to each person and I'm hoping that at least this might be a group reply to catch all of you. Must be my age!

Each one of your comments helped me to take matters into my own hands and clearly identify the correct suspension model and appropriate air bags. And you were right, I found air bags at a fraction of the cost that was originally quoted. I spoke directly with Reyco in MO who were terrific at identifying suppliers that could help me in Canada. The technical data / specifications that several of you provided was "bang on", thank you! This information and the links were perfect.

I returned to our original heavy duty truck shop in Victoria, BC whom we trust and convinced them that I had information (from you guys) that would help them overcome their worry about trying to source appropriate air bags at a reasonable cost (their original outrageous quote was from Beaver in Oregon) ... and they're on it now, sourcing the correct air bags, including one that was identified under $200 each (USD) as several of you noted should be the case. Nice drop from $1,400 each that was quoted from Beaver! Perhaps Beaver thinks Canadians are really whacky. Nice to have you, my friends from the USA, on my side.

So all is good. The work will be done shortly at a cost that will fall in line with what you all thought should be the case. Thank you, each one of you, very much!

[jacwjames]

Thanks for replying back with such positive news. Too many times we never really hear back with final outcome.



If Beaver Oregon quoted such a high price I can't believe they'd still be in business for long. I'd hate to think they may have been trying to take advantage of anyone, but we all know this happens.

Which means we all have to do our due diligence and make sure we get good service at a fair price.



Good Luck

[153stars]

I haven't read anything bad about Conti-tech formally Continental. I think division is recent still see bags /21-23 catalog as Continental. They can be half the price of Firestones. A much bigger difference if doing an 8 or 10 bag chassis.

[Contigo]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Thanks for replying back with such positive news. Too many times we never really hear back with final outcome.



If Beaver Oregon quoted such a high price I can't believe they'd still be in business for long. I'd hate to think they may have been trying to take advantage of anyone, but we all know this happens.

Which means we all have to do our due diligence and make sure we get good service at a fair price.



Good Luck

Thank you for your comment and yes, I agree that we need to research things carefully. I'm just happy that I have people like yourself who are willing to help others work through a problem. I'm disappointed with the people representing Beavers in Oregon because this is the second time a truck shop in British Columbia, Canada (two separate truck shops) have contacted them in search for mechanical parts on our behalf (torque bars and air bags) and the cost quoted has been outrageous. More advanced searches have resulted in finding these items (such as now with the air bags) at a fraction of the quoted Beaver prices. Perhaps part of the problem is because our Beaver is quite old, but still disappointing. Thanks again for your help.

[Contigo]

Originally Posted by 153stars

I haven't read anything bad about Conti-tech formally Continental. I think division is recent still see bags /21-23 catalog as Continental. They can be half the price of Firestones. A much bigger difference if doing an 8 or 10 bag chassis.

Thank you for this information, I appreciate it. I didn't know of this option.