Air suspension for 1972 open road motorhome.

[01chevduramax]

So we’ve been all over Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho with this thing. It’s running great! Best mileage so far 11mpg, worst 6mpg on the I84 bucking a nasty wind at 70mph. Engine turning at 3500+ to keep up with traffic.

I recently installed an inverter, TV, coffee maker, and upgraded interior lighting. The only thing that I want is a better way to level things out in a campsite. Right now I’m driving up on blocks. I’m not sure why but one always wants to kick out. Sometimes it’s really easy. But if the campsite is sloped like the one I’m in now, we can’t get the front high enough. I don’t have room to pack different size blocks. (I’ve got six 2x6 angle cut front to drive up on now) if we don’t get level, the propane fridge (original) won’t get cold.

So this leads me to the question, is there an air ride setup available? One that won’t drop the truck. I believe it’s stock height. I’ll attach some pics. Keep the stock height, improve handling a bit, but be able to hit a switch or valve to raise the front end maybe 4 or 5 inches? More would be better, but I feel like that’s asking a lot. All front end components seem factory. In good shape too. Might be nice to just replace the springs. What do you think?


Sorry this one is sideways. Not sure why.

[weq92f]

Flip fa ya...

[weq92f]

These are very spendy but if you could mount these up front on the frame rails someplace with enough clearance, they would do the trick:

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/BigFo...sqi24-2pts.htm

These are more like scissor jacks but I could see a guy mounting these to the frame just behind the front wheels. When the time came just scissor them to the ground and raise the front up. The problem here is stability, which you'd need to compensate for somehow...



-klb

[01chevduramax]

I thought about those. Probably the easiest way to go. But how cool would it be to pull up to a spot, hit a switch and run it up to level.

[Rufas]

Why not go with the super basic air ride setup that is completely manual in operation. I have air ride on my 70 GMC 2500 that is completely manual. Just two switches, one switch for the front and one switch for the rear. You could also use four switches , one switch to control each wheel. That would give you a lot of flexibility when trying to level your truck.

Your not interested in speed when leveling. So go with a small compressor, about a 3 gallon air tank, a manual valve, a couple of air gauges, and four bags. Bags are dirt cheap, and air compressor is about $100, tank about $50. Just guessing but I think you could do this for about $600. Maybe a little more or even cheaper. You don't need all chrome and iPhone interface. Just keep it simple.

You might consider this as an option. Instead of raising the truck to make it level, you could just as easily lower it. After all you won't be driving it once it's level.

[01chevduramax]

Did you use bags that were designed for these trucks? Are there bags that directly replace the springs? I really only need the front for now.

[Rufas]

Originally Posted by 01chevduramax

Did you use bags that were designed for these trucks? Are there bags that directly replace the springs? I really only need the front for now.

I got mine from RideTech. They are direct replacement for the front springs. I still use both factory upper and lower control arms. I got the bags and bag hardware about 18 years ago and finally finish the truck this last March. I have something like 9 or 10 inches of travel from full inflated to deflated.

[01chevduramax]

That’s exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks for the info. Would be cool to do the back too. Individual valves for each bag and a controller to achieve even ride height. I’ve only had lifted 4x4 trucks so I have less than zero knowledge of these setups. I’ll talk to ride tech.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Find an electric leveling system from a later motor home and install it. Might even be a kit available new. My buddy’s Trail-aire has an automatic leveling system, not sure what year it is though.

[custom10nut]

Here’s a thought. Attach short length of square tube to the frame in front, and corners in back. Then using the scissor jacks, weld a smaller piece (to slide inside the other) to the top of the jack. Drill a hole through to insert as keeper pin. This way the jacks are secured to the frame. Of course it would take a little figuring and fabrication, but it would be worth it for you to safely level your camper. Oh, and BTW. GREAT LOOKING TRUCK

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by Rufas

I got mine from RideTech. They are direct replacement for the front springs. I still use both factory upper and lower control arms. I got the bags and bag hardware about 18 years ago and finally finish the truck this last March. I have something like 9 or 10 inches of travel from full inflated to deflated.

Wow! Totally worth 18 year wait, righteous truck man.... Are those 20" Coys?

Sorry for the HiJack.

[01chevduramax]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Find an electric leveling system from a later motor home and install it. Might even be a kit available new. My buddy’s Trail-aire has an automatic leveling system, not sure what year it is though.

So get bags from ridetech, and A controller from a motorhome? Sounds like a great idea to me. I’ve seen the big monster COACHES pull up to a spot, and hiiiissssss lay down close to the ground. Electric step when the door opens! I don’t want to go too crazy.

I’ll look into the motorhome controls.

[ShortHaul]

Ok we’re gonna need some more pics of that thing!! It’s a beauty! It’d look pretty awesome laid out and leveled on bags...

[01chevduramax]

I’ve been meaning to make a post with pictures of it. I put a few up in the 67-72 motorhomes thread. I’ve been washing and waxing the last 2 nights. When I’m done I’ll put a couple more up.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by 01chevduramax

So get bags from ridetech, and A controller from a motorhome? Sounds like a great idea to me. I’ve seen the big monster COACHES pull up to a spot, and hiiiissssss lay down close to the ground. Electric step when the door opens! I don’t want to go too crazy.

I’ll look into the motorhome controls.

I did a quick search and found new systems for Class C 'homes for $2500-3000 including 4 electric/hydraulic levelers and the control system. You would have to adapt it to your rig though.

[Rufas]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Wow! Totally worth 18 year wait, righteous truck man.... Are those 20" Coys?

Sorry for the HiJack.

Yup those are 20 inch Coys.

Thanks

[Rufas]

Originally Posted by 01chevduramax

So get bags from ridetech, and A controller from a motorhome? Sounds like a great idea to me. I’ve seen the big monster COACHES pull up to a spot, and hiiiissssss lay down close to the ground. Electric step when the door opens! I don’t want to go too crazy.

I’ll look into the motorhome controls.

Over 90 percent of those diesel pusher motorhomes have air suspension. What you hear are the air bags deflating. Then the hydraulic jacks kick in and level the motorhome. There is air leveling but not to common.

Those hydraulic level systems are expensive, are bulky and can be complicated. They only control deflating and inflating the air bags.

Someone has suggested a 'Class C' set up. That would probably be the best and most inexpensive way to go.

I have one of those monster coaches you mentioned. Not from personal experience, but from being on multiple RV forums the electrical leveling jacks seem to have more problems then the hydraulic systems. So do lots of research.

You might want starting your research at RV.net Class C forum