50 replies to this topic

[fuzzymarindave]

Drop the remaining air bag to 5 psi and proceed.  Should be fine.  Headlights may be too high for night driving though.  

[fish more]

I'm with Jim, I would question the install. I've had air bags on three vehicles and never had that happen. Also have driven on some severe 4WD roads with no problems. I would tie it up out of the way or remove and head home !!

[daverave]

Update: After a slightly fitful nights sleep, we’ve set up a tow through AAA to Monte Vista. There appears to be a 1-1/2” sag between the front and rear axles. Tentative plan is to have the airbags removed and head home depending on what shop tells us.

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

That’s hardly any sag at all. I had a similar experience with a leaking Schrader valve on one side. If you have any really heavy items you could move them forward in the camper. Take it easy on the way home and all should be good.

[daverave]

The AAA tow guy, who we thought was free, wanted $300 for the 3.5 miles of freshly graded and improved gravel road to get us back to pavement. Being penny wise, pound foolish we spent 40 minutes driving down very slooowly to pavement. Seemed worth it ;-/

[Lighthawk]

Been there, done that.

 

A few years ago in DV we were driving up from Saline Valley to Steele Pass and ka-blooie!

I popped one bag, due to reasons not relevant here.

 

I amputated the blown bag and lowered the other side to 12 psi.   We were able to get it done quickly and still got in our hike that day.

We continued another few days of dirt and 300 mile drive home to Nevada City without incident.

 

Plenty of people drive without airbags at all.

[pvstoy]

All great suggestions have been posted.  I think Dave is going to go with what he feels comfortable with.  It is outside the normal for him and we don't want to push him out of the bubble.

 

5 psi in the remaining side, lighten the rear weight forward and enjoy the drive home.  Plenty of people drive around with worse conditions.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Patrick,thanks for the realistic approach.

I hope yours and other suggestions give

"daverave" an easier mind.

Frank

[daverave]

Sitting in a shop in Monte Vista getting well taken care of by Paul at Discount Parts and Glass which pretty much does everything. Recommend. He squeezed us in to a packed schedule and we’re avoiding a motel night.

He confirmed what several have said that it was likely a poor install, guessing that Four Wheel Parts may have installed with the camper on it, a big no-no as you can’t really know the true ride height so the articulation was compromised. He also thought 35 psi was too low for the load. He suggested a package from AirLift when we get home… and a better install.

We’ll probably take it easy on the way home, staying near pavement. Thanks to everyone for weighing in, much of this is outside my knowledge base but I feel better able to address it now.
WTW rocks!

[ntsqd]

Might talk to WFO up in Auburn when you get home about a leaf springs-only solution. 1.5" of sag doesn't sound like it will be asking for much more than what you have now.