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05-20-2022, 12:48 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Lake Arrowhead, CA
Posts: 13
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RV Storage and air bags
Hello…..
I have been RVing for awhile with trailer trailers and fifth wheels. I just upgraded and purchased a class A Thor Aria 3401. The question I have is: should I be storing the motor home with the air bags full of air or should I dump all the air while in storage? Thank you for any advice.
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05-20-2022, 01:03 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Somewhere Nice
Posts: 1,466
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It really doesn’t matter. If you have everything shut off, the bags will naturally lose air over time. Or you can dump air.
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05-20-2022, 01:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ & Plover, WI
Posts: 6,403
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If you park with the bags inflated, in time they will be deflated, so it really doesn't matter how you leave it. As the saying goes, you can dump me now or I'll dump me later.
__________________
2006 Monaco Executive 44 Denali
2013 43 QGP Allegro Bus ( SOLD )
2013 Avalanche
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05-20-2022, 08:41 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 297
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I would dump the air in the air bags. The air bags will loose air over time but typically at different rates which could possibly twist the frame.
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Country Coach 2000 MAGNA C10
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05-20-2022, 08:59 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Payson
Posts: 597
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Don't dump them...
Air Lift says to leave "some" air in the bags to prevent them from distorting/wrinkling which will shorten their life. I run my Air Lift 5,000# bags at 50 psi when towing my 10' cargo trailer {2,200 - 2,600#} with our 24' Class C.
This raises the tongue about an inch and half bringing it dead level with the top of the ball at 16" as recommended by the trailer manufacturer.
When not towing I keep 25 psi in the bags which improved the overall ride and handling as we normally run close if not at our GVWR of 11,500#. Yes, they will all lose some air over time so check and top them off as needed on a regular basis.
__________________
2012 Nexus Phantom 23P Class C
Ford E-350 Chassis 6.8L V-10 w/5 speed trans w/tow haul mode, 55 gal fuel tank
USCG Licensed Master 100 Ton (Retired)
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05-20-2022, 10:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
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I dump the air and then leave the coach on the levelers , check level once a month when in storage.
When not being driven my coach is on the levelers 12 years and counting , no air bag issues no leveler issues .
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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05-20-2022, 11:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,896
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilvmygt
I would dump the air in the air bags. The air bags will loose air over time but typically at different rates which could possibly twist the frame.
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"Twist the frame"???
No Sir, that won't happen. What do you think the frame goes through when you enter drive ways? How about radical entrances to gas stations? How about turning from a level street to an uphill one? No, you won't have frame twist just because one air bag looses air faster than the others and "tilts" a little bit. Frames can take quite a bit of "twisting" waaaaay before any damage can take place.
Scott
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2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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05-21-2022, 08:09 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Early, TX
Posts: 211
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Here is what I learned at Camp Freightliner about storage, tires and air bags. Build a set of wooden blocks that will just fit under your leveler pads when they are in the up/retracted position. Push the blocks under your leveler pads then release the air suspension. Your rig will settle onto the blocks but the levelers will support most of the weight. The leveler rams are NOT exposed. Your tires now only have the un-sprung axle weight on them. And to further protect the tires, place any non-organic substance under them during storage. I park on concrete so I bought a 4' x 8' sheet of fiberglass reinforced panel (FRP) at Home Depot and cut it into four 2' x 4' sections. My tires rest on these panels when in storage. Theory is it helps prevent the natural "oils' from leeching out of the tires. Not sure but it makes sense and the FRP is cheap insurance. I also am fortunate enough to be able to store indoors and I just replaced my original tires at 8-1/2 years. Tires had no physical damage at all (cracking, drying, knots, bulges, etc) and still had 7/32" average tread depth after 50,000 miles. This was a better safe than sorry, time based replacement.
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safetysteve54 - 2015 THOR Palazzo 33.3 - Cummins ISB 6.7L - Allison 2100MH - TOAD 2015 Ford Explorer w/ Air Force One proportional braking
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05-21-2022, 08:18 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Thornville, Ohio
Posts: 3,662
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I would dump the air for two reasons. It's closer to the ground and the bags are not stored under load.
__________________
Art & Joyce
Thornville, OH
Kia Soul pushing a 36' DP Endeavor
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