Can someone help identify this photo?

Scott & Heather · September 04, 2013, 05:02:00 AM

I was crawling under the coach yesterday and checking out my air bags. I spotted not only this plastic air release barb for the rear bags but also the nylon air lines covered in corrugated plastic. They looked new. I then noticed the corroded air metal air line connection in the second photo that isn't hooked to anything but it's located further up the air beam. Does this all mean I have plated bags? Is there a definitive way for me to know if I do?

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lostagain · September 04, 2013, 07:36:16 AM

You can tell for sure if you see the plate on top of the air bag, 1/2" thick, with the supply air line coming off the side of it. You will see the supply air line going to it, and not to the beam above anymore.

JC

John316 · September 04, 2013, 07:40:38 AM

Looks to me like the discharge side of the leveling valve. However, the rest of it doesn't look like a leveling valve.....

FWIW

Scott & Heather · September 04, 2013, 07:51:00 AM

Quote from: lostagain on September 04, 2013, 07:36:16 AM
You can tell for sure if you see the plate on top of the air bag, 1/2" thick, with the supply air line coming off the side of it. You will see the supply air line going to it, and not to the beam above anymore.

JC

Ok, climbing under there again to check. I'm pretty sure it felt like there was a line coming off the side of a "plate" but I'm checking again just to be sure.

QuoteLooks to me like the discharge side of the leveling valve. However, the rest of it doesn't look like a leveling valve.....

FWIW

Ok, I thought so. The rest of the valve isn't in the picture. I'll know in a few minutes. Maybe attempt another pic or two....and will try not to let rust fall in my eyes this time. Man I hate rust. $:-\$

Scott & Heather · September 04, 2013, 09:18:59 AM

Yep. Definitely plated. One less thing for me to do. Still trying to make up a KISS type air bag level adjuster that I can reach without getting under the coach.

Dave5Cs · September 04, 2013, 04:09:05 PM

Scott this is the one I got for mine. Work well. Has 2 gauges that control 4 sets of air bags. 2 Needles on each valve.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Path-Air-Ride-Manual-Paddle-Valve-Panel-w-Dual-Needle-Gauges-FBSS-Airbags/170974449953?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1

Dave5Cs

luvrbus · September 04, 2013, 04:34:41 PM

Check your local RV salvage yards I see the HWH air leveling systems in the S/S from time to time Tony bought one in Phoenix for a 100 dollars took him all day to remove it but it made a nice system for his 102

chessie4905 · September 04, 2013, 05:58:46 PM

Seeing all that rust is depressing. Hows everything else underneath?

Scott & Heather · September 04, 2013, 07:52:54 PM

Dave, slick system. But I need three gauges technically. Two for the rear and one for the front right?

Cliff, which system are you thinking of? Again, do I need 3 gauges to monitor this properly?

Chessie, it's an interesting issue. Our coach is mostly stainless and aluminum. We stripped the
Coach down to the frame and removed rusty beams and welded in new tubular steel. My side panels are new 1/8th aluminum sheet. The only part of the coach that has rust issues is the steel around the engine compartment and rear axle. Stinks. Not structural but still depressing as you say. Someday we are going to build a truck conversion with a clean chassis, but we love our bus way too much still so that may be a while.

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Dave5Cs · September 04, 2013, 08:02:51 PM

Scott yes but you have them. There are two gauges, but like I said there are 2 needles on each gauge. You can use 1,2,3 or 4 you simply attach your air lines from your bags or valves to the gauges or fittings on the back that you need. If you only need 3 then just hook to 2 on 1 gauge and 1 on the other. The red needle is for one and the black needle pointer is for the other both on 1 gauge.
I have 4 corners hooked to mine 4 paddle valves with 2 gauges and 4 needle pointers 2 on each. Make sense?

Dave5Cs

Scott & Heather · September 04, 2013, 08:07:02 PM

Dave,
Got it! Should have slowed down and read your post more carefully.

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TomC · September 05, 2013, 12:10:54 PM

You really don't need any gauges on the air suspension. Height is the important part. On my 3 valve system, I have the original automatic leveling valves, then when I want to level, each position has 3 solenoids-one normally open and two normally closed. When I activate it the normally open valve closes and bypasses the automatic leveling valve. The two normally closed valves are for adding air or exhausting air. Works well for overnight. For longer stays, I level the bus by blocks then lower it down to the stops. Looks cool when lowered down. Good Luck, TomC

Lin · September 05, 2013, 02:17:28 PM

We use a system similar to what Bob G. has. We just replaced the linkage from the chassis to the height control valve with a push/pull cable. You can then inflate the bags by pushing the cable and deflate it by pulling it. It works fine, but ours can not be done sitting in the driver's seat.

Just remember that air bag leveling, no matter which system you use, is very limited. You will only get 5-6 inches differential from rear to front wheels. This is fine in most commercial RV parks or parking lots, but not really enough for some places. We were in a National Forest campground this summer where our relatively level space was 10 inches difference from back to front. We used blocks to get within range and did the rest with the air bags. As Clifford said, lucking into a real leveling system cheap would be the best.