[Tfrazier]

We were 20 minutes into the trip when I noticed massive amounts of smoke coming from the left rear wheel area. We were on a two lane with no shoulder, lots of traffic and nowhere to pull over so we had to limp for a mile or so until we found a place to turn off.  I called Richard and he was gracious enough to put up with my very bad cell signal, and dropped calls to not only walk me through trouble shooting the issue but also a temporary field fix to get the coach home. As most of you know, the dude is unbelievable. I’ll try to be quick in describing what Richard had me do. First, the cause was a failed airbag. Once I got the coach jacked up (and fully cribbed) I crawled under and took some measurements from the axle and frame rail. I then cut some 4x4 posts to wedge in between. There wasn’t a clear spot to fit the 4x4 on the axle side, so I cut them down to 3x4. Once I had them wedged in pace, I lowered the coach and drove it home. The trip home was a very different experience. I didn’t dare go over 10 mph the whole way. It was literally like riding in a wagon with no suspension. It kind of felt like I wobbled home. We were lucky to be so close to home when it happened.  My wife was following me in the toad and told me that she saw the coach shift back down after we went over a bridge with a big hump in the middle. By the time I parked it, the rear had dropped some but was still clearing the tire. I think I will work on fabricating something that will fit a little better and carry them in the coach in case something like this ever happens again.
I got the old airbags off, but I had to cut the fittings for the 1” airline to do it. I should have the replacement fittings and be able to get the airbags installed this weekend. Will also be replacing the tire, which now has a fender-width grove about ½” deep. Oh yeah, cleaning all the burnt, melted rubber off the coach and the toad was a joyous occasion. What a PIA. I think it took longer than removing the airbags.
A big shout out to Richard for coming to the rescue. Also, to Jeff LoGuidice, who sent me a couple of used airbags so I can get the coach out of my driveway before the HOA starts legal proceedings.  The plan is to change all of the airbags, but I need to get it to my buddy’s shop to do the work.
I’d be interested to know if anyone has a good source for bags.

[HoosierDaddy]

Tony, Sourcing bags can be quite an adventure. The bags you removed should have a number on them. Typically its a tag on the end of the bag. My originals were Firestone wo-1 358-5447. Those are no longer available. I found Automann AB1 Dk20D-9565 as replacements. While we had it apart we lengthened the bump-stops to avoid fender rubbing in the event of a bag failure or when the coach is aired down. See my post "air bags for 316"

[Jack Houpe]

Wonder if you could find an airbag that could fit between the frame and suspension something like those airbag jacks they have.

[cwl1979]

I've done lots of research on what airbags will work and where to source them. I'm in Alaska and for me the ONLY place i can get them from is Trailercraft. If i was in the continental US i would use https://www.truckandtrailer.parts/contit...-001804591

Link should take you right to the bag you need. you will need a reducing bushing from 1 inch NPT to 3/4 NPT

They have a wide selection of replacements and are affordable as well.

[Richard]

First thanks for the shout out. I was happy to help.
Second thanks to Jeff for passing on the parts to an owner in need.

A couple of things to add to the post for those who may stumble upon while sitting on the side of the road with an air bag problem. The quick diagnostic to tell if you have an airbag leak vs other problems such as out of adjustment height control valve or stuck travel solenoid valve is to put the coach in leveling mode. If it will raise, then the air bags are intact.

Also, if you have unfortunately blown an air bag and need to limp to safety with the wooden suspension trick, you MUST disconnect the travel solenoid on the six pack on the side that is the problem. If you don’t your compressor will not build sufficient pressure to safely operate the coach. The travel solenoids are the ones closest to the bulkhead the six pack in mounted onto. Left is on top, right is on bottom.

[[email protected]]

Glad that you are making your way to being back on the road again. I have been thinking about doing what Simon did to his and fabricating permanent bump stops so the coach cannot sit down on the tires. I try to carry a spare airbag when I can so that I at least have some way to get going again.

[Tfrazier]

I've done lots of research on what airbags will work and where to source them. I'm in Alaska and for me the ONLY place i can get them from is Trailercraft. If i was in the continental US i would use https://www.truckandtrailer.parts/contit...-001804591

Link should take you right to the bag you need. you will need a reducing bushing from 1 inch NPT to 3/4 NPT

They have a wide selection of replacements and are affordable as well.

Hi Carl. Thanks for your input. I looked at the link for the Contitech airspring, but it is different than mine. Mine are Firestone W01-358-9477. They have 2 studs at the top and one center stud on the bottom. The Contitech has 2 studs on both ends and the top stud spacing is not the same. Like they always say, no two Newells are the same. I will try to contact them today and see if the have anything similar.

[cwl1979]

I've done lots of research on what airbags will work and where to source them. I'm in Alaska and for me the ONLY place i can get them from is Trailercraft. If i was in the continental US i would use https://www.truckandtrailer.parts/contit...-001804591

Link should take you right to the bag you need. you will need a reducing bushing from 1 inch NPT to 3/4 NPT

They have a wide selection of replacements and are affordable as well.

Hi Carl. Thanks for your input. I looked at the link for the Contitech airspring, but it is different than mine. Mine are Firestone W01-358-9477. They have 2 studs at the top and one center stud on the bottom. The Contitech has 2 studs on both ends and the top stud spacing is not the same. Like they always say, no two Newells are the same. I will try to contact them today and see if the have anything similar.

the firestone W01-358-9477 doesn't cross into anything, the difference between that and the W01-358-9447 is the inlet size.

Other than the base they are the same bag you would get from Newell for well under half the price.


2 options, remove you're old bases and use them instead, or get a single stud and cut the 2 off and use the new bases. 

bases are really easy to swap.

see this post. https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?t...8#pid66778

[Tfrazier]

I've done lots of research on what airbags will work and where to source them. I'm in Alaska and for me the ONLY place i can get them from is Trailercraft. If i was in the continental US i would use https://www.truckandtrailer.parts/contit...-001804591

Link should take you right to the bag you need. you will need a reducing bushing from 1 inch NPT to 3/4 NPT

They have a wide selection of replacements and are affordable as well.

Hi Carl. Thanks for your input. I looked at the link for the Contitech airspring, but it is different than mine. Mine are Firestone W01-358-9477. They have 2 studs at the top and one center stud on the bottom. The Contitech has 2 studs on both ends and the top stud spacing is not the same. Like they always say, no two Newells are the same. I will try to contact them today and see if the have anything similar.

the firestone W01-358-9477 doesn't cross into anything, the difference between that and the W01-358-9447 is the inlet size.

Other than the base they are the same bag you would get from Newell for well under half the price.


2 options, remove you're old bases and use them instead, or get a single stud and cut the 2 off and use the new bases. 

bases are really easy to swap.

Great. Really appreciate this information. This is my first Rodeo with airbags. Its so awesome to have such great people that are willing to share their knowledge. These bags a 154.00 and i get a 10% military discount. Newell wants 569.00 for the Firestones.

[cwl1979]

That's great, They just started offering the Military discount about a month ago, save that code they gave you in case its not a one time use. I would buy mine from them but shipping to Alaska is over 500 for 8 airbags, didn't seem worth it when i can get free shipping from trailer craft with a 5 dollar price difference in the bags.