Community Forums

danbjr · 07-16-2011, 04:24 PM

Has anyone installed front Ride Rite airbags on class A motorhome? I have them on the rear of my F53 (20,500GVW) rig. Great product. Thinking of putting on front. Want to reduce road bumping, knocks, etc.

Wizard · 07-16-2011, 04:55 PM

They seemed to help a little with the poor ride on mine. Was an easy install, was still playing with the pressures when we found a Freightliner with air ride that we traded for.

cpr_vbg · 07-16-2011, 08:07 PM

I have a 2000 Ford F53. I recently installed both front and rear Ride-Rites and just completed a 3800 mile vacation in the motorhome with the new air bags.

Both the DW and I noticed a significant difference in the ride and road vibrations that you normally feel thru the steering wheel and seeing the dashboard vibrations.

I installed the front bags to dampen the vibrations on non perfect roads, and installed the rear bags mainly to get more tire clearance, but I think the rear bags help the ride also.

Front bags were easy to install. We think they were well worth the time and money.

I have about 20 lbs in the front and 70 in the back bags.

Hope this helps.

LokiGT · 07-16-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpr_vbg

I have a 2000 Ford F53. I recently installed both front and rear Ride-Rites and just completed a 3800 mile vacation in the motorhome with the new air bags.

Both the DW and I noticed a significant difference in the ride and road vibrations that you normally feel thru the steering wheel and seeing the dashboard vibrations.

I installed the front bags to dampen the vibrations on non perfect roads, and installed the rear bags mainly to get more tire clearance, but I think the rear bags help the ride also.

Front bags were easy to install. We think they were well worth the time and money.

I have about 20 lbs in the front and 70 in the back bags.

Hope this helps.

How much more clearance did you get from the rear bags?

ga traveler · 07-17-2011, 07:03 AM

The front airbags give the most bang for the buck. They really help with freeway hop and pavement cracks and changes.

cpr_vbg · 07-17-2011, 08:05 AM

At 70 PSI it added about 3 to 3.5 inches of clearance at the rear wheel wells.

I also agree with ga traveler on helping with the pavement cracks.

LokiGT · 07-17-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpr_vbg

At 70 PSI it added about 3 to 3.5 inches of clearance at the rear wheel wells.

I also agree with ga traveler on helping with the pavement cracks.

3 to 3.5 is HUGE with the long overhang I have, this coupled with new shocks perhaps the Mor-ryde system may really help.

cpr_vbg · 07-17-2011, 11:28 AM

I didn't notice how much I needed the air bag assistance on the rear axle until I went to install the bags and noticed that from time to time the tires were rubbing the top of the wheel well. On our motorhome the fuel, propane, fresh water tanks are all way behind the rear axle. Before, when fully loaded leaving on a trip the back of the motorhome was really low, and the top of the rear tires were not visible. Not anymore. Much better ride hieght fully loaded with the ride-rite air bags.

The height difference at the back bumper will also depend on if front bags are installed and how much pressure is in the front bags. On our motorhome with the 3 in increase at the rear wheel well, there was almost a 5 inch increase at the rear bumper.

pvrick · 07-17-2011, 12:02 PM

Does anyone know if you can install these on a Class A without air bags? I have a Safari Panther with thier Torsalastic suspension (basically large rubber leaf springs) I would love to consider adding air to handle the horrible roads we have in California.

Thanks

macnkat · 07-17-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvrick

Does anyone know if you can install these on a Class A without air bags? I have a Safari Panther with thier Torsalastic suspension (basically large rubber leaf springs) I would love to consider adding air to handle the horrible roads we have in California.

Thanks

That's what they are designed for primarily.

coffeeman · 08-07-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

The front airbags give the most bang for the buck. They really help with freeway hop and pavement cracks and changes.

Traveler you've been most helpful in the past. My Sightseer 2005 29R rides fine however I do notice the highway cracks and expansion joints. I have no trouble with sway etc. Would I greatly reduce the front end jarring with front bags. I don't think I need rear bags, I'm sure if I could improve the front ride it would reduce driver fatigue. Any thanks for your input.

ga traveler · 08-07-2011, 01:54 PM

If you have read my past posts, you know i am a big fan of airbags. They do not do a lot for potholes. I think that is why a few people are disappointed in them. They work great on expansion joints and cracks etc. I never had a customer complain to me about the ride after i installed them. (trust me, if you talk someone in Ga. into spending $600.00 and they don't see results, you will hear about it.) About 20% of my customers were so pleased they insisted on putting them on the rear. I feel they help in the rear, but i don't think you get as much bang for the buck.

coffeeman · 08-07-2011, 03:29 PM

Traveler, txs for the response...as always I respect your thoughts. I'll prob look into front airbags after our trip out West. Don't think anything will work on potholes...the expansion joints are the killers and from everything I've read this should improve the ride. I recently did a 5Star tune and it certainly lessened driver fatigue so this will be an added bonus. Safe traveling.

Old Bounder · 08-07-2011, 09:46 PM

I'm 800 miles into a 3K mile trip since installing the front air bags ('97 F53) and I'm very pleased with the results. I have 22 lbs in them and think that's a good setting for my coach.

I also installed new Monroe Gas Shocks and a Steer Safe prior to this trip, but that's for another report.