Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Rusters@sbcglobal Net on September 22, 2014, 06:48:31 pm

Title: Airbag life
Post by: Rusters@sbcglobal Net on September 22, 2014, 06:48:31 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 97613 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97613)
When I brought in my coach for its annual service I was informed that there was significant cracks in both the front and rear bags. The Cummings dealer who was servicing the coach recommended that both sets of begs to be changed since they were 10 years old.
I checked with another major truck servicing organization and they said that 10 years was about the expected life of Air bags.

I asked for an estimate and I was told that the bags would cost approximately $390 each. The front airbags had a delivery time of approximately six weeks and the rear bags had a two week delivery period. The installation time for each was 2 to 3 hours at a cost of $132 per hour.
Since I wanted to avoid a catastrophic failure I told him to go ahead and order the bags however the front ones would have to wait for installation until spring, since we need to leave for the winter in a couple of weeks.
I called country coach to confirm the delivery time and Greg said that the front bags had to be manufactured by Firestone since they were unique to the vehicle.
I would like to know how many other coach owners have had a catastrophic bag failure with 10 years on their airbags life.

Tom Ruster

2004 Inspire - 51017
Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: Gkirby86 on September 22, 2014, 07:27:35 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 97614 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97614)
Hmmm. For those of us who plan to keep these beasts beyond a 10 yr life, that is not encouraging. The air bags on my 11 year old Winnebago Journey on a Freightliner chassis still looked really good when I traded it.

While I knew CC built their own chassis, I thought they used fairly common big truck/bus parts like air bags. I wonder if all their models have custom-made front bags?????

Gary

'07 Allure #31578
Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: Peralko@sbcglobal Net on September 23, 2014, 01:11:10 am
Yahoo Message Number: 97617 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97617)
Tom,

Our airbags are 20 years old, and the only reason we had to change one is because a shredded inner tire took the rear driver's side airbag out in 2005.

Per

95 Affinity 5259
Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: Alex Ritchey on September 23, 2014, 09:06:11 am
Yahoo Message Number: 97621 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97621)
I believe my Air Bags are going on 15 yrs, however, I think I might have a slow leak. How long should they reasonably hold air after leveling, while parked (before requiring re-leveling)? I went through all my books and pulled out when things need adjusting, servicing and replacing and put it on a spreadsheet to keep track. Not tracking anything on replacing Air Bags, not to say they would go bad or fail.

Sincerely
Alex 2000 Affinity


On Tuesday, September 23, 2014 1:11 AM, "peralko@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" wrote:

Tom,

Our airbags are 20 years old, and the only reason we had to change one is because a shredded inner tire took the rear driver's side airbag out in 2005.

Per

95 Affinity 5259





Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: William Dane on September 23, 2014, 11:20:31 am
Yahoo Message Number: 97623 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97623)
Just replaced the rear bags, cost $ 390 each. The bags looked good until they were fully extended and the bottom 2 inches were very cracked. the coach now has 196,000+ miles and has been lived in full time since leaving the factory.

Bill Dane 99 Allure 30326


On Tuesday, September 23, 2014 5:28 AM, "Alex Ritchey alexritchey65@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" wrote:

I believe my Air Bags are going on 15 yrs, however, I think I might have a slow leak. How long should they reasonably hold air after leveling, while parked (before requiring re-leveling)? I went through all my books and pulled out when things need adjusting, servicing and replacing and put it on a spreadsheet to keep track. Not tracking anything on replacing Air Bags, not to say they would go bad or fail.

Sincerely
Alex 2000 Affinity


On Tuesday, September 23, 2014 1:11 AM, "peralko@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" wrote:

Tom,

Our airbags are 20 years old, and the only reason we had to change one is because a shredded inner tire took the rear driver's side airbag out in 2005.

Per

95 Affinity 5259








Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: J Barrie Boas on September 23, 2014, 12:22:29 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 97624 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97624)
My airbags were also 20 yrs old when I had to replace one because of a cut in it I replaced both the rear airbags on my Gillig chassis. Cost from Gillig 185.00 apiece and approx. 2hrs or less labor to replace. Front still doing fine and they are used for leveling. Barrie Boas 94 Concept 5111

Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: Dh1621 on September 23, 2014, 02:45:23 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 97628 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97628)
Tom,

My air bags are original from 1998. Seem OK.

Alex,

Bags should hold air for at least a couple of weeks. I would suspect leaky or deteriorated fittings or air lines first. Just get under the coach and listen in various locations then do soapy water bubble tests.
It is safest to do this while at a shop with a lift.
Daron Hairabedian' 98 Allure 30226
Title: Re: Airbag life
Post by: Alex Ritchey on September 23, 2014, 10:41:25 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 97634 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/97634)
Thanks for the input I'll do a check when I'm full timing it in FL. on level ground.

Sincerely
Alex Ritchey
2000 affinity


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