SGTJOE
Utah
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I have a 2001 National Tradewinds 7390 and my air bags are looking old and cracky. The bags are made by Firestone. If My motorhome sits for a couple of hours with the bags full they leak enough air that I must wait for them to fill before moving the MH. Has anyone replaced their air bags and what was the cost?
I live in ST George Utah and if you have someone to recommend, please do.
2001 Trade Winds 7390
Toad 03 Grand Am
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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First, air the bags leaking, or more likely, a fitting in the lines? (If a bag leaks, it normally leaks pretty fast)
As for doing the work, the only hard part is lifting the vehicle, making sure it stays up.
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LouLawrence
Traveling the US fulltime since 2000.
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It may not be the air bags themselves. Check all the connections and air lines that run to the bags with some soapy water and see if that's where the air is actually leaking. There will be a number printed on the air bags and you can look those up and get pricing from various locations.
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Desert Captain
Payson
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When I bought my Air Lift 5,000# bags they came with recommendation to always keep "some" air in the bags. I run mine at 50 psi when towing and 25 when unloaded. This keeps the bags from collapsing on themselves and getting "cracky" which will inevitably lead to leaks.
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oldave
Tx
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I've read of many air leaks but very few were the bags.
If you take it in and ask for new airbags that's what you will get and maybe still have the air leaks.
Most owners drive up onto some stacked 2x10s to raise the rig and start squirting with soapy water.
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SGTJOE
Utah
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oldave wrote:I've read of many air leaks but very few were the bags.
If you take it in and ask for new airbags that's what you will get and maybe still have the air leaks.
Most owners drive up onto some stacked 2x10s to raise the rig and start squirting with soapy water.
That is a great suggestion. My Air bags are the originals from 2001 and they are cracky looking, but it would be wise to see where the air leak is coming from.
Thanks
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wolfe10
Florida
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And, with 22+ year old rubber (the air bags) if you are going to keep the coach, consider replacing them as reasonable Preventive Maintenance.
You do not have to go back with Firestone. Check out Continental Tire's air bag offerings. Tell us what chassis you are on (likely Freightliner) and someone may have the part numbers. Good quality and less $$.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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SGTJOE
Utah
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wolfe10 wrote:And, with 22+ year old rubber (the air bags) if you are going to keep the coach, consider replacing them as reasonable Preventive Maintenance.
You do not have to go back with Firestone. Check out Continental Tire's air bag offerings. Tell us what chassis you are on (likely Freightliner) and someone may have the part numbers. Good quality and less $$.
Yes, it's a Freightliner. Thanks for the advise, hope I get some part numbers.
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JRscooby
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SGTJOE wrote:wolfe10 wrote:And, with 22+ year old rubber (the air bags) if you are going to keep the coach, consider replacing them as reasonable Preventive Maintenance.
You do not have to go back with Firestone. Check out Continental Tire's air bag offerings. Tell us what chassis you are on (likely Freightliner) and someone may have the part numbers. Good quality and less $$.
Yes, it's a Freightliner. Thanks for the advise, hope I get some part numbers.
I'm not smart. If you plan to keep it, why would you think of another brand? You expect longer life? You willing to risk shorter life to save money?
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wolfe10
Florida
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JRscooby wrote: If you plan to keep it, why would you think of another brand? You expect longer life? You willing to risk shorter life to save money?
No, would not expect longer than 20 year life from any rubber component, irrespective of brand.
And, I would not conclude that Continental Tire produces an inferior product. Any proof to substantiate that they are not the equal of Firestone?
I have never used their air bags, but lots of others have. We run Continental tires on the motorhome-- just fine.
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