4-bagger Rear Suspension

H

hdavis

New member
Mar 13, 1998
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As I reported last week, we had Jim Bounds replace our OEM air bag system
with the 4 bag Harrison system. Before the change over I had put a bit over
10k miles on the coach in the then current configuration. Last Friday we
began driving from Orlando to Albuquerque. The difference is unreal.

We drove the same sections of I-10 and I-40 that I had driven recently. The
only difference is now the coach is a dream to handle. (Even though my
front end alignment is off). At all speeds the coach handles the ruts well.
Where I used to get popped from the rut to a new spot with little warning,
now the coach "bumps" when I hit the rut but it doesn't "launch" itself
across the rut.

Yesterday I drove 980 miles without any fatigue. Perviously a 700 mile day
on good roads made me a little tired. Yesterday's travel was on a lot of
fairly rutted roads. Most of the time the coach could be handled with one
hand. Much less work, better control, better stability.

I expect things to get even better when I get a new alignment.

This is one change that I wish I had made earlier. Next to safety related
fixes, this upgrade is now at the top of my list, and one that I urge
anyone to seriously consider.

Henry
 
Henry,

What else was changed at the same time?

Dick Kennedy

WA9UJY

>As I reported last week, we had Jim Bounds replace our OEM air bag system
>with the 4 bag Harrison system. Before the change over I had put a bit over
>10k miles on the coach in the then current configuration. Last Friday we
>began driving from Orlando to Albuquerque. The difference is unreal.
>
>We drove the same sections of I-10 and I-40 that I had driven recently. The
>only difference is now the coach is a dream to handle. (Even though my
>front end alignment is off). At all speeds the coach handles the ruts well.
>Where I used to get popped from the rut to a new spot with little warning,
>now the coach "bumps" when I hit the rut but it doesn't "launch" itself
>across the rut.
>
>Yesterday I drove 980 miles without any fatigue. Perviously a 700 mile day
>on good roads made me a little tired. Yesterday's travel was on a lot of
>fairly rutted roads. Most of the time the coach could be handled with one
>hand. Much less work, better control, better stability.
>
>I expect things to get even better when I get a new alignment.
>
>This is one change that I wish I had made earlier. Next to safety related
>fixes, this upgrade is now at the top of my list, and one that I urge
>anyone to seriously consider.
>
>Henry
>
>
>
 
Henry/Dick:

I've been enjoying the system since Mar of 1995 after installing. In
addition to Henry's observations, I've noticed a much greater dampening of
the fore-to-aft and side-to-side movement in the coach.

Running off the edge of the road, or on Interstate type roads, over the
joint between the road and the paved shoulder, is almost imperceptible.

Next to the 6-wheel disk brake installation, which I did at the same time,
it's the best upgrade I've made.

Paul Bartz

From: Dick Kennedy [mailto:kennedy1]
Sent: Monday, August 30, 1999 7:55 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: 4-bagger Rear Suspension

Henry,

What else was changed at the same time?

Dick Kennedy

WA9UJY

>As I reported last week, we had Jim Bounds replace our OEM air bag system
>with the 4 bag Harrison system. Before the change over I had put a bit over
>10k miles on the coach in the then current configuration. Last Friday we
>began driving from Orlando to Albuquerque. The difference is unreal.
>
>We drove the same sections of I-10 and I-40 that I had driven recently. The
>only difference is now the coach is a dream to handle. (Even though my
>front end alignment is off). At all speeds the coach handles the ruts well.
>Where I used to get popped from the rut to a new spot with little warning,
>now the coach "bumps" when I hit the rut but it doesn't "launch" itself
>across the rut.
>
>Yesterday I drove 980 miles without any fatigue. Perviously a 700 mile day
>on good roads made me a little tired. Yesterday's travel was on a lot of
>fairly rutted roads. Most of the time the coach could be handled with one
>hand. Much less work, better control, better stability.
>
>I expect things to get even better when I get a new alignment.
>
>This is one change that I wish I had made earlier. Next to safety related
>fixes, this upgrade is now at the top of my list, and one that I urge
>anyone to seriously consider.
>
>Henry
>
>
>
 
>Henry,
>
>What else was changed at the same time?
>

New Windshields and a heatshield for ther genset. Leaks in seams and around
windows fixed at the same time. NO other suspension changes, si I know for
certain that the improved handling comes form the 4-bag system.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (831) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (831) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com/ http://www.henry-davis.com
 
>Henry/Dick:
>
>I've been enjoying the system since Mar of 1995 after installing. In
>addition to Henry's observations, I've noticed a much greater dampening of
>the fore-to-aft and side-to-side movement in the coach.
>
>Running off the edge of the road, or on Interstate type roads, over the
>joint between the road and the paved shoulder, is almost imperceptible.

Irene said that the side-to-side motion was significantl;y dampened as
well. I thought that this was the case, but wanted to check with her since
she's more on the line in the passenger seat.

We also drove some very heavily rutted roads (~3"+) and had well behaved
steering.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (831) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (831) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com/ http://www.henry-davis.com
 
Henry

How did the four bag suspension effect ride, particularly in the back of the
coach. Is it significantly stiffer? We frequently travel around the clock
with people sleeping in the rear bed and one of the great things about the
GMC is the smooth ride in the back compared to other motor homes.

Dan Winchester
GMC Royal
 
Dan:

I notice a smoother and more stable ride in the back.

Paul Bartz

From: Dan Winchester [mailto:danielw]
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 1999 12:21 AM

How did the four bag suspension effect ride, particularly in the back of the
coach. Is it significantly stiffer? We frequently travel around the clock
with people sleeping in the rear bed and one of the great things about the
GMC is the smooth ride in the back compared to other motor homes.
 
>Henry
>
>How did the four bag suspension effect ride, particularly in the back of the
>coach.

>From my perspective the ride is significantly better - before there was a
lot of sway and rolling action. Now the sway is dramatically reduced. I'd
say that the suspension is stiffer, but I prefer the new ride over the OEM
configuration. In particular, the ride when on rough roads is much tamer.

I haven't been in the rear of the coach when underway, but Irene has. She
says that the side to side sway that sometimes caused her balance problems
when returning to the front are pretty much gone.

My guess is that the ride in the rear when sleeping is much improved.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (831) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (831) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com/ http://www.henry-davis.com
 
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