I Installed Air Bags and Drove To Alaska
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- DIY Installation of Front/Rear AirLift Air Bags to improve the ride on my 2003 Winnebago F53 Class A RV. Did they help the ride? I'll share results after driving the rugged ALCAN, Klondike, and Top of the World Highways to Alaska.
00:00 Suspension Upgrades: Why Install Air Bags?
02:30 How to Install Air Bags on Class A RV F53 Chassis
07:12 Road Test: Driving the ALCAN, KLONDIKE and Top Of the World Highway to Alaska
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EQUIPMENT MENTIONED IN VIDEO
Front Air Bags (for 2003 F53 chassis) - Air Lift 5000 Load Lifter Ultimate Air Bags (Part #88140)
www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....
Rear Air Bags (for 2003 F53 chassis) - Air Lift 5000 Load Lifter Air Bags (Part #57410)
www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....
VIAIR 450P RV Air Compressor - amzn.to/3blzQWP (Affiliate Link)
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DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
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I've been dreading getting under our Monaco Knight for suspension/ anti-sway upgrades. Brian is instilling the confidence needed to make this happen.
Nice video, I put Air Lift airbags on my 2016 3/4 ton GM diesel pickup to provide same load capability as a 1 ton but with a nice ride. I have the air pump so I can set pressure in the cab. This was an upgrade from my 2005 gas 3/4 ton which I had to inflate myself.
I had LiquidSpring suspension in the rear of my Entegra Vision and it has made the handling much better and it's quieter in the rear.
Another great video. We drove to AK the summer of 2019. An awesome trip.
Awesome. We're really enjoying it so far and have been sharing our trip on Instagram @rvwithtito
One of the best videos I have ever watched ! You should be a CZcams producer just enough information and a very true evaluation of the Alaska Highway that most are not aware of . ❤
Appreciate that. Glad you liked it!
Nice. They do make a difference and the driving experience is a lot more comfortable.
Safe travels to Alaska. Maybe one day we’ll head up there as well.
We agree! Definitely a worthy experience.
Well that certainly helped me. We keep our 1991 safari running just cause we can. i will install air bags now. We also will drive to alaska so double help for us. Very well done video, I appreciate that. Thank You
Glad it helped. Those air bag brackets took a beating. Check out my later update.
I think You made a good choice with going with the air bags. I am sure You have noticed a difference. Your install looks nice and clean. Keep up the great work. And I wish You all the best on Your trip to Alaska. Please stay safe and healthy. 🙏🏻👍
Thanks. When we're bouncing along, I always tell my wife "imagine what it would be like without the Air Bags" :)
Good Stuff, Great Tips😃👍🏿
Thanks!
Missed you for a few months. You make the the best DYIs, they are perfect. You must have been like a little kid when you got the coach. Clean slate from the original owner. Good luck
I
It's been a joy to travel in and work on. We look forward to making more upgrades when we return from Alaska.
"Cat", here, Tito! I have had the bags on several of my 14 different rigs over my 41 years of RVing and gave up on constantly tuning the adjustment settings and found that setting them at 80 to 90 lbs and leaving them there was best overall! On my 38 foot gas Fleetwood Flair, because of the weight and wheelbase, had the onboard compressor with the four gauge/individual gauges and separate control rocker valves which allowed me to tune the suspension for differing road conditions such as the Alcan. My goodness, what a difference it made on those long stints for comfort and driving fatique. On certain sections of roadway, I could tune the rig so well I could actually take my hands off if the wheel and the rig would follow the roadways by itself. Just like trimming my small helicopters flying in the army where I could take hands and feet off the controls and control it just by leaning left to right and front to rear for directional control! Try the compressor/individual wheel control setup! I think you will like it?
I had the compressor installed on our last rig. It was great making those adjustments from the bluetooth remote. I have a compressor always hooked up now. So checking them periodically is no trouble. Thanks for sharing all of that experience.
Luv my airlift ultimates with wireless air setup on my 2020 f350 to pull our 17k 5er
Nice install for you class A. You might want to put in a T union and only have one valve to air up the front and rear. It will make it easier on you to equalize the pressure in both bags. I have rear bags on my F350 to pull my fiver and I installed a Haldex height control valve from Amazon to automatically adjust pressure in the bags based on load conditions. Works like the suspension of Class 8 rigs running down the highway. The down side is you compressor will work more due to up and down in the road and the valve adjusting automatically. Just a thought for a future upgrade. Enjoy your time in Alaska, I was up there 5 years ago and want very much to return.
Thanks Tom for the suggestions. I prefer to manage them individually in case I need to level out a load. On our previous rig I also installed the air-compressor unit that I could control wirelessly from the cockpit. It worked great, but I don't think I really need it. So far manually checking them and making adjustments works fine.
Thank you for the video.
You R welcome 🙂
Looks like a nice upgrade. I'm jealous that you got to go to Alaska this year. Covid stopped me the last two years, and fuel prices from the southeast was yet another nail in the coffin this year. Maybe next year.
Sorry to hear that. I'm glad we decided to go. Who knows what the situation will be in the future. I hope you can make it.
Hope to see you up here in Alaska! Maybe Kenai?
Great video. We live in the uk ( Manchester ) I don't think I will ever a need for you type of over here, but love the information you give out and Alaska looks amazing. As does the USA.
Regards kev.ps we tour parts of the UK in our Bailey vigo....
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing.
You bet!
Good job
Thanks!
Welcome to Alaska!
Looks like you've found the best of what are loosely called roads up this way. Once you get away from the major areas, its definitely a suspension test track. But it looks like you're ahead of the game with the upgrades and mods you've been doing. And fortunately you're handy enough to know to drive for the road conditions or be willing to fix what didn't like the road. Enjoy this little place we call home! Safe travels!
Thanks. It's been an amazing adventure so far. Yeah "roads" of all kinds. The Top Of The World Highway (Taylor Highway?) also was pretty amazing, but dirty. I also think the new tires I put on made a huge difference. I'm very glad I didn't wait on those and pulled the trigger before heading up.
It was definitely a good idea for the tires. Nothing up here is impossible or impassable, but go cheap and you definitely roll the dice!
I've only seen the Taylor and Over The Top in the winter on a snowmobile trip from Tok to Dawson and back. It was in the -30's going to Dawson. Super cold, but super scenic for sure. I really want to do it in the summer but I think we'd have to take the girlfriend's Class C instead of my travel trailer. The trailer is only good for so much dirt road action.
How is your solar performing at this higher latitude with the sun lower in the sky? I just did a 1050 watt install on my rig. I went in knowing that I wouldn't realize the panels full potential not that anyone ever does but figured at best I'd see about 2/3 of that on a clear day if the sun had no obstructions like trees and whatnot. Last weekend on the maiden voyage after install we saw anything between 150 and 350 watts at the campground. It was charging, I was getting 10-20 amps going to the batteries so all was good. Even pulling power during the rain which was also a good test for the waterproofing of 42 holes in a perfectly good roof with a watertight rubber membrane... no leaks... whew! Then we get back to town and clear skies at the storage lot I keep my rig at, over 700 watts and 50 amps going to the batteries. Didn't think I'd actually see that much out of it with the lower sun angles and the panels flat on the roof and not tilted. But I know you put a pretty good solar system on the roof of your Class A and was curious how something I've seen on CZcams that was setup down in the lower 48 is performing up here and if i was underestimating what I'd see on my rig.
@@rvingwithbearandfriends7506 The solar is doing great. True, I'm not bringing in as much up here. Two thirds sounds about right. The best I've been able to grab is about 1100W out of the 1740 Watts...and that's when flat mounted. They average about 900W even with smoke and cloud cover. I haven't been in a location yet that I felt comfortable tilting the panels. There were a couple times in the Canadian Rockies when I pulled about 1800W for a moment. It's funny, because business that I've seen with solar on the roof have their panels almost vertical :) One difference up here though is that I'm generating solar power almost 20 hours a day. Even at 11PM I'm still brining in 100W and that's pretty nuts.
@@RVwithTito , That makes me feel good about what I built. I haven't seen much in RV's with a decent sized solar array on them up here. With no local guidance, CZcams University was a great resource. I figured I'd need more panels to get less power and with our long daylight hours, especially this time of the year, work the solar like a Marathon and not a sprint. Collect power all day not just at peak times and be able to still collect above the parasitic draws during overcast or rainy days and so far, I've achieved that. I used tilt brackets not planning to tilt them unless I'm camping long term in one spot but also for getting to the wiring under them. I liken it to lifting the hood on a car or truck to get in and work. Made running the wires a breeze! I incorporated my 3D printer into the project and also for the battery bank. Something I don't see many content makers do.
I just want to thank CZcamsrs like yourself and a number of others in showing that people can do these projects. I didn't copy anyone's work, but rather gather a consensus of many ideas and draw from across a number of installs for what seemed line the best of ideas and pointers or tips and make my own plan. Content makers like you are great to watch, the we're going to try this and make it work mentality but put it out in a way that is easy to follow. I've followed your channel for a while now with my other more nerdy channel subscribed and now this one.
Enjoy the rest of your trip through our little state! And keep making the great videos!
You are the “rv owner” that male or female, folks wished they were. Love your videos, hope we can see some of your travels also. 🦅😎👍🇺🇸
Wow. Thanks. Just doing the best I can :)
Nice job Brian later you might want to upgrade to onboard air so you can control it from inside those flip up panels might be for changing your rear tires easily
Thanks. I decided not to go with the onboard compressor this time. With the location of my Viair airing them up is real simple.
Glad you are wearing safety glasses this time! I noticed you weren't when you did this on your class C. Great video.
I wear them all the time now when under the RV :)
@@RVwithTito Have you ever had rust on your frame? And if so, how did you address it?
I have airbags installed on my GMC Sierra as I mentioned before.
There seems to be a happy medium between some assistance and too much pressure.
I find that between 30 and 50 pounds is the good zone - more seems to make it "bouncy" and has a negative handling effect.
Great video - Thanks! - Cheers.
Certainly takes some tweaking and driving to get it just right.
I have the same airbags (rear only) on my Jayco Grayhawk 31FS. I keep the PSI around 60psi. I find it helps our motorhome deal with road irregularities especially with a full tank of gasoline and fresh water.
Agreed! I feel the same.
Drive safe
Welcome to Alaska!
Thanks! We love it and plan to see as much as possible.
@@RVwithTito great! Nice weather right now depending on where you are. If you need anything don’t be afraid to reach out.
Welcome to Alaska. We’ve had our class A up here for seven years and to say that the roads are challenging is a understatement. When, and if you get to Valdez i would like to see some of your enhancements, as well as show you some of mine. Enjoy!
Yes. Just when we thought it would be smooth sailing, we'd run into something unexpected :P
@@RVwithTito if there’s anything we can do to help just let us know.
I've installed two sets of Air Lift air bags on 2 different rigs. One was a class A motor home the other a F150. Both were pretty easy to install and worked extremely well. I'll be installing them on my new F350 fairly soon. Not really needing them that bad on this truck but sure are nice to take the porpoising out when going over train tracks and wavy roads. I found that 25-35# was all I ever needed. One time took them up to 70# and about jarred all my fillings out! IMHO; the only way to fly!
Nice. I also installed them on our Class C rear and they were very much worth it and I'd do it again.
Yeah and people spend $25k on liquid springs which one Personally air bags did a better job for a fraction of the price.
Great video as usual! Just installed air lift airbags on our 2014 coachmen mirada. Made big improvement in the ride and the sway. I agree drilling the holes was the worst part. Had to remove the rear wheels in my case. Each rear side took 4 hours. The front was much easier, no drilling was required. I think maybe 2 hours total.
Glad it wasn't just me. I even broke two stepped bits on the front :)
@@RVwithTito btw, did you have any concern using the airbags with the leveling jacks lifting front wheels? I rarely get into that situation, but I read on one of forums that airbags are not designed to hold the axle and that may place pressure on them.
@@Anonymous-hy8oz Good question. I did consider and look into this potential issue. Per AirLift's FAQ: a vehicle can be lifted by the frame for short term periods (i.e. maintenance or oil changes etc). If the vehicle is lifted for extended periods, then the axle should be supported. This is really a non-issue unless you plan to lift the tires off the ground with your leveling jacks...which you probably shouldn't. If you need to level up that much, it's best to roll the rig up on some boards first.
I would like to do this too.
My RV has been up that road 3-4 times
I'm glad I bit the bullet and got these things done before we headed up.
Dude... You need to put some boards or plywood under that jack stand in the gravel. (called Cribbing) Even if you are only using it as a backup for the RV;s jacks. (My RV's jack stands have plates welded between the boottom legs. And I still use cribbing!) The hydraulic jacks fail those jack stand will be driven into the ground so fast you won't be able to crawl out from under it fast enough. And especially if you remove a tire. I've worked with heavy equipment all my working career and seen this happen too many times.
Once had to use my boom truck to remove a pickup off a dead guy when his jack stands, s like yours, were driven into the grass in his front yard when his hydraulic floor jack seal let go.
Had he jst put a pair of 2x4's under that jack he could have survived.
Thanks. I appreciate the suggestions.
@RV with Tito DIY Anytime! I like your videos and would hate to hear you got hurt. Spent too many years picking up the pieces of bad decisions, I guess.
Great video (as always). The chassis cam is very helpful (good choice). I hope you will recap your Alaska trip and provide some highlights of your experiences. Are you traveling with a spare tire?
Yes. I got all new tires before heading up...including a new spare. I also carry everything I need to change the tire. Hopefully I won't need to. I've been posting updates on Instagram @rvwithtito.
You probably know this, but I always use cobalt drill bits to go through thick steel. I also discovered cutting paste which also helps a lot.
Thanks for the info!
Hi
Great video. Question, will the front or rear air lift get damaged if you lift the van jacks and lift the wheels above ground?
Thanks Brian
Just purchased a 2008 bounced w32 wig loves it over5er rides ok but on bounce road would this help to smooth so al?
Very sable in turns build like to smooth out
Thanks
Am in k falls or if in this area
Once you drill a pilot hole, I find a Spiral Flute Step Drill bit works better than using a larger bit to increase the hold size
I needed a larger pilot hole. Broke the ends off 2 stepped bits in the process 🤪
@@RVwithTito any reason why u had ur drill on the hammer setting? Or did it just sound like that in the video, this would have made ur drilling a lot harder through steel if it was. Great video anyway, thanks :)
Expensive trip to Alaska this year with gas prices off the charts. I know I limited how far I'm traveling.
Funny that when we left the US, prices were much cheaper than in Canada. When we re-entered the US, prices are pretty close to Canada. Crazy. We mostly boondock and camp for free. So that helps offset things.
Yeah I live on the Alaska highway in northern Alberta so frost heaves are nothing new to me lol. Air ride makes a world of difference up here.
I supposed you'd get used to them. Air Ride has definitely made a difference.
You get use to them but they sure do a number on our vehicles. The Alaska highway between Edmonton and Grande Prairie is often the worst and then between Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek is pretty bad a lot of the time also until you go farther north.
@@ssrc30 We can't seem to escape the rough roads even in Alaska. Just when we think we're done...more :) Glad to have the air-bags.
Rving to Alaska was on my bucket list but sorry to say unless Canada lifts the vac requirement, not going to happen for us.
I think they just dropped the random testing. So maybe the VAC will be dropped eventually.
Thanks for the video, what chassis is that? I'm planning suspension upgrades on my 2004 Rvision before our next trip too.
I have the F53 chassis
What, no Titofied jumpsuit? That's the trip my wife and I would like to do someday.
My son gave me those coveralls when he returned from the Marine Corps :) I've been putting them to good use. I need a "Hello my name is Tito" patch maybe :)
Looks like new rubber on your rig. Need to replace mine after my last trip. Do you have an episode where you cover that? Looking for ideas....
Yes. I was able to find 7 new Toyos before the trip up (one for the spare). I'm so thankful to have them. They've made a huge difference.
@@RVwithTito Thank you!
Good time for long distance traveling! Next summer the gas price will double the numbers! This is the GLOBAL AGENDA!!!
Man. Who knows. I'm glad we didn't. There are lots of folks rolling in despite the rising fuel. So we're not alone.
Nice upgrade! Just wondering how these upgrades improved your RV's handling compared to the original equipment? Did you do both the front anti-sway bar and air bags at the same time or did you do them incrementally to see the benefits of both individually.
Did the front sway bar + replaced rear bushings first. I later added the air bags. Here's a playlist of videos I made about this including a follow up. czcams.com/video/g8EZHqbLcRE/video.html
Nice! I have a 2021 32' Class C (Ford E-450) and want to put airbags on rear leaf springs. I see 5,000 lb and 7,500 lb units. Thinking getting the 7,500 for more durability, your thoughts?
I went with the 5000 on the rear of our 32' Class C. They worked great. Here's the video: czcams.com/video/xESVvzfW-uI/video.html
What is the max extension on the Air Lift front bags? Do you have restrictions on using your leveling jacks? Do you have to level by blocking the wheels?
You might get 2-3 inches max. I haven't had issues with the jacks as long as the wheels don't leave the ground. In that case, you should block the tires as you said.
Did your airbags help minimize your rv “crashing” as it goes over bumps? The suspension on my E-450 class C RV feels rock hard and I'm wondering if airbags would help?
Yes. It does helps take the brunt of that. That's why they're called helper springs.
Could you have found some rougher gravel to work on?
Ouch...
Tell me about it 🤪
How much lift did you get with these bags?
A couple inches if needed.
How did you loosen wheel cover panels so you could prop up?
Open the compartment panel on either side and there are three screws on each side. With the screws out the wheel well panel lifts up. 👍
@@RVwithTito Did you use titanium or cobalt bits
@@robertgoff181 Titanium I believe...whatever I could get in a pinch :)
I Really need help with changing out my springs on the landing gear. we have the same rv and I was wondering if you have the part number or website I can find them?
Here are the springs I used. Part# HWH R1171 (Here's the reference -www.hwhcorp.com/mr475000.html) And...here's a video (czcams.com/video/7BTVo9_LvFc/video.htmlsi=IjVPcB77vtd2W12m) I've since learned that I can just bottom plate on/off with using a pry bar with the jacks fully retracted. So all of that shim stuff may not be necessary. Here is when I figured that out (czcams.com/video/BDPVK03JCY4/video.htmlsi=5jbacajtAmadd38t) Good luck!
@@RVwithTito thank you!
No problem.
Where are the links of the sway bar and airbags that you put on your rig?
Links are in the video description.
@@mraymorris thanks Ray, I’m watching this from my phone and didn’t know how to look at it but found out how.
Info on the anti-sway bar is also in the description of that install video.
@@RVwithTito thanks Tito:-)
@@hawaiianboy1743 No problem.
So I don't think I've ever watched one of your videos where you have told us what you've done for a living And your background like with engineering or electrical or mechanical just wondering I've been a machineist for 30 years CNC programmer for the last 15 And now retired just kind of wondering what your background is.
I always wondered this as well. Seeing him wear a military jumpsuit makes me believe him and his wife are retired military. That's one of the few ways to be independent at that age.
@@dirtroadsailing6418 maybe he's a military spy that's now retired sorta 😏
That sounds much cooler than the truth :) Maybe that'll be my story.
What if I said I learned everything from CZcams? :) In short, I was in Navy Aviation as an Avionics Tech back in my youth, but my primary career (now retired after 30 yrs) was as software engineer. The coveralls were from my son who had an extra set from his time in the US Marines.
@@RVwithTito so you're the guy we need to ask why why why when something doesn't work on a software we're trying to make work 😉 Love videos thanks for serving really most of my family did I wasn't allowed in asthma seems like a silly thing to keep you out but it did.
Price nobody talks about the price
Prices are always subject to change. Links are in the video description.
Hey, Alaska is a good way to destroy a RV did you get your windshield damage yet.? I know RVers who had major suspension work done after trip to ALASKA. Not worth the drive to see wall falls and trees. Vancouver is a better place to visit but is pricey.
I've only had to repair one small chip so far. Fingers crossed.
PSA for the community - The parts supplier that Brian used for the air bags in this video appears to have gone out of business.
Not true. These are AirLift airbags. Which company are you referring to?
@@RVwithTito - I edited my comment for clarity above. SD Truck Springs appears to have gone out of business, and that is who the links in the description direct you too.
u must edit out all the 4 letter words dropping washers/ nuts/ etc in that gravel ; time for a go fund me for tito and a real big shop
Oh yes. I have spent lots of time searching for small things that have been dropped in the gravel. Many of them have never been found. Wouldn't we all love a flat piece of property with a barn/shop :)
@@RVwithTito A fellow worker taught me to lay a towel down under where things might be dropped. A large beach towel might do on the gravel, as long as it doesn't get bunched up when shifting around.
@@tkilg7169 I usually use a moving blanket to lay on and put things on. Still it happens :)
Get ready for the crybabies screaming about using those jacks on gravel! May the crying commence.
None yet :) I wish I had a nice slab to work on...but I don't
@@RVwithTito Hopefully they read this post and got shamed away!
@@fritzkabeano1969 Bring it on :)
No real evaluation.