Which air lifts , 1997 F53 Tag axle Bounder

[MrWizard]

What to install or get installed
Air lift bags on the rear
Will not be adjusted up and down, No towing
But I carry a a scoot full time,
I use it when the RV is parked, it is always on the rear carrier when the RV is moving,
Rear is starting to sag, and drag of under carriage and gas tank is happening on some station entrance

I will pump the pair to level/raise the rear with full tanks

Long gas tank right behind tag axle, extends Too Far to the rear, and hangs below frame
Far rear curbside is fresh water, far rear drivers side is Onan genset,
Holding tanks are in basement approximately under the bed between gas tank and water tank
Too much weight behind the axles

Educate me, thank you

Thinking of the Firestone Ride Rite system

[RLS7201]

Also, check the body to chassis mounts as all of my rear mounts broke and let the body rest on the chassis, which broke the air line fitting on top of the air bag. If you look at the picx in my previous post you will see how little room there is between the body and the air bag, after I welded in new mount brackets.

Richard

[RLS7201]

OK Mr Wizard, here's you pix. RV.NET doesn't seem to be cooperating with pictures today but you can click on the full size link.
You 97 chassis will have a different rear spring pack than the older F53s but the air bag mountings will be the same.
Right rear
[img] Click For Full-Size Image. height=400 width=600[/img]
Right Rear2
[img] Click For Full-Size Image. height=400 width=600[/img]
Left rear
[img] Click For Full-Size Image. height=400 width=600[/img]

Had to insert this image to get the "click for full size" to show up for the 3rd image.????????????
Another image
[img] Click For Full-Size Image. height=400 width=600[/img]

[10forty2]

I installed Ride Rite on all 4-corners and got the on-board compressor with a single wireless/remote control to separately adjust each air bag and monitor the pressures. I don't have pictures, but I can tell you, there were holes in my frame where the instructions said there would be, and I had to drill the frame where they said to as well. For me and my situation, it was a very straightforward installation. Plumbing and routing the airlines to the compressor was a bit tricky finding the right route to make sure the plastic lines didn't touch anything that moved or heated up while underway, but again, nothing that was too difficult to do in the driveway.

[MrWizard]

the downloaded instructions, show different brackets and mounting
than the photo of the kit located on SD truck springs web site
Awe S^^^& , bah humbug

could those of you who have done this on 1990's F53 motorhome, post some images and info of Your air springs/lifts

thanks

maybe i should just get NEW .. heavier duty leaf Springs installed instead !!

[MrWizard]

" Well Rodchester" there are no holes in my frame rail where the instructions say there should be, NOT sure if that is a deal breaker
But it doubles the amount of holes to be drilled, and complicates the placement alignment issues when mounting and drilling

[MrWizard]

the wheels will have to come off, NO ifs and's or butts

just got to make sure the tag axle or anything else is in the way

[RLS7201]

I added air bags to my 95 32H Bounder. It may be doable with the tires & wheels on the chassis but I removed the tires and wheels when installing mine. Made it much easier. But, I have an abundance of jacks and air tools left over from my mechanicing days. Your mileage may vary.

Richard

[MrWizard]

to my untrained 'eyes', i see NO damage to the rubber springs of the Tag Axle

but the leaf springs are definitely flatten out and NOT supporting the load

Down loaded the Rite Rite instructions for the RR 2068 ? not sure of the document number

anyway according to the instructions, only need to drill (2) holes on each side for the air springs mounts
the other needed holes are per-exisiting in the chassis

assemble and temporary bolt in using the existing holes, mark and drill pilot holes for the (4) new holes
remove the lifts, drill (4) holes to correct sizes
mount lifts and route the airlines
they say 2-4 hours, I think it will take most of A DAY, but mainly because of drilling the holes, and me triple checking every step

too old and wise for " **** the torpedo's full speed ahead "

every project takes me longer than it used too, and needs more tools, than it used too

i have to get in and under there and see if the existing holes in the drawings, are really there

need to raise the rear with the leveling jacks to get a good look at the frame rail

[MrWizard]

Will do, thanks for the info

[RLS7201]

Check the rubber leaf springs on the tag axle. They have been known to sag and tear. They could be your ride height problem. The suspension is probably Morryde.

Richard