Community Forums

deandec · 02-04-2021, 11:57 AM

Is a deflated Air Spring (air bag) a deadlining event requiring a tow truck, or can the rig be driven to the shop safely?

Does deflated Front or Rear air spring each create a unique solution?

What have you experienced?

**Lt Dan** · 02-04-2021, 12:03 PM

If the rear bags are deflated it will put the short driveshaft into bad alignment. It might be okay to drive a short distance, but not far.

wolfe10 · 02-04-2021, 12:07 PM

Dean,

What is the issue:

Ride height valve bad? link off?

Leaking air bag itself.

May be some simple work arounds.

Be careful of torquing the chassis, damaging suspension or drive line components if severely down on one corner.

Ivylog · 02-04-2021, 12:41 PM

I carry a wooden 9” 4X6 as a spare for the 10 air springs on my rig. Inside the spring there is a block that limits the deflated distance so I may use it as a 4” or 6” spacer after cutting the rubber part off and plugging the air line.

deandec · 02-04-2021, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfe10

Dean,

What is the issue:

Ride height valve bad? link off?

Leaking air bag itself.

May be some simple work arounds.

Be careful of torquing the chassis, damaging suspension or drive line components if severely down on one corner.

Current issue is anticipating the possible future event.

Wild Card · 02-04-2021, 06:09 PM

Strap a block of wood in its place to get you back or to a reasonable distance.

Just slow down

deandec · 02-04-2021, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivylog

I carry a wooden 9” 4X6 as a spare for the 10 air springs on my rig. Inside the spring there is a block that limits the deflated distance so I may use it as a 4” or 6” spacer after cutting the rubber part off and plugging the air line.

I am guessing you are also carrying a jack of some sort to raise the rig temporarily to insert the 4x6? My rig only has 4 Air Springs so losing one is 25% of the lift.

richard5933 · 02-04-2021, 07:14 PM

Instead of carrying a wooden block to take the place of a blown/leaking air bag, why not just carry a spare air bag? I carry an extra for each axle - cheap insurance. Odds are I'll be able to find a shop that can help swap the air bag. Not so much being able to find the correct air bag in the middle of nowhere.

chuckftboy · 02-04-2021, 07:18 PM

On my coach if I lost the front air bags, I could only travel in a straight line. Turning without being aired up would eat up a lot of fiberglass.

Ivylog · 02-05-2021, 05:42 AM

You assume correctly although it’s only a 20T. I also carry the tools necessary to put my spare, unmounted tire on IF necessary... wooden block is dual purpose. And yes, I carry a spare bag (recently)but even with outboard bags they can be difficult to replace.

jacwjames · 02-05-2021, 07:17 AM

A post like this is why I surf the IRV2 site. Always picking up ideas about ways to improvise repairs to make to a service facility. I'm pretty mechanically inclined but reading posts like this gives me options.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-05-2021, 09:11 AM

If the air spring is totally deflated, odds are it is a show-stopper event unless you can manage one of the work-arounds mentioned here. You can perhaps carefully drive a short distance, but maybe only in a more-or-less straight line.

Many coaches no longer have adequate front tire turning room with the bags empty. Take a look at the front wheel well clearance you have with the suspension air dumped and no jacks deployed. The rear is a different problem, altering the engine drive shaft angle on a pusher chassis. This causes wear, sometimes severe, on the drive shaft universal joint and perhaps the rear axle gearing as well.

deandec · 02-05-2021, 09:59 AM

OP here.

It appears that those of us, who are the average "DP with Air Springs" operator, will be calling the tow truck when a spring completely fails enroute.

Thanks to all who responded.

wolfe10 · 02-05-2021, 10:03 AM

Dean,

I would still suggest that virtually all owners could do a quick inspection before resorting to towing.

Something as simple as the link coming off the ride height valve could cause this and could likely be "fixed" with no or very common tools.

YES, make sure you have "safe room" under coach so you will not be crushed even if air suspension completely deflated.