More coach height???

[mike finnicum]

Ron & Gina

Marlene is right. Airbag lifters will actually REDUCE the max
height you can achieve. If I remember correctly, it is about 1"
less If you need MORE coach height don't get the lifters.

But (and I am sticking my neck out here) ...
Could one install a couple of heavy duty washers between the
bags and the standard arms? I do NOT know if this would be safe,
or if it is, how many washers you could safely install (if any!).

I would NOT do this unless someone like Bounds or Sirum felt it
reasonably safe.

One or two washers would not give you a lot of extra height, but it
would extend slightly the amount of extention the bag could go, which
is what gives the coach height. One of our engineer types could calculate
the additional height per 1/4 inche of washers.

Maybe some of our engineering types could let us know IF this would
be safe. Certainly scraping your driveway everytime can not be good
for the coach either.

Also, as I understand it, the 4-bag system REDUCES the amount of
leveling adjustment available. It might also reduce your maximum
height. But ask someone who has one to see how high it raises.

Just food for thought
NOT a recommendation!

Mike F

 

[ron & gina]

Thanks All, I was thinking of using steel/alum block 1/4to1" thick
(depending on shock bottom travel / air bag stud. / air hookup length)
between cone/arm, block being same size as arm seat. Which I believe would
be safe? Now I don't want to raise coach ride height in travel position,
Just want to get max. height in manual raise position. And if could be done,
I would think height would remain the same in auto travel position. Now if I
can only get 1/4" rise say at bumper forget it, but 1/2 or more might be
worth it. Thank again.

Ron&Gina
73 Pumpkin-Rose
Ft. Mohave. AZ.

- ----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 1999 7:15 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: More coach height???

> In a message dated 9/23/99 8:51:59 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> > One or two washers would not give you a lot of extra height, but it
> > would extend slightly the amount of extention the bag could go, which
> > is what gives the coach height. One of our engineer types could
calculate
> > the additional height per 1/4 inche of washers.
> >
> Mike
>
> If we are back to the point where we can play with ideas here are some
> thoughts.
>
> First: I do not know but I dont think the washers will work. The ride
height
> valve will keep the coach at the same height.
>
> 2nd: When I redid my bogies I had to get new links between the ride
> height valve and the bogie swing arm. The ones I got from Gateway
> are adjustable.
>
> 3rd: In theory you should be able to shorten the arm and the ride height
> valve will compensate. I did this to get my coach level. I have no
> idea if this
> is good on the bags or not. Might lead to hot dogging. If you need
> the extra clearance I think this will work.
>
> 4th: I am guessing that you cannot get the clearance by just raising
> it up with the control valves? BTW the rubber ends on the links
> on my coach were shot. I had to raise it all the way up just to
> drive it. Might take a look at yours.
>
> Take Care
> Arch 76 GB IL

 

[scott shean]

Ron & Gina, I have been watching this discussion, but assumed it
would be quickly resolved, so I haven't read each posting in
detail.

I drive my coach up a steep driveway that requires that I "pump
up" before I go up or down the driveway. It seems like you need
to do the same thing, but, for some reason, it is not working.
The question is: is your driveway too steep for a GMC that is
"pumped up", or is your GMC not "pumping up"?

Measuring from top of the elongated hole in the frame just behind
the rear bogies, what is your present "normal" height, what is
your maximum "UP" height, and how high do you need to go?

FWIW, I'm leery about adding wheels to the rear of the GMC,
because it will place upward stresses on the frame that were not
anticipated by the designers. It will also encourage drivers to
use the "helper" wheels to navigate situations that can be
handled properly with use of the original air suspension.

Scott Shean
Baton Rouge, LA
78 Royale

>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailtowner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf
>Of Ron & Gina
>Sent: Thursday, September 23, 1999 3:56 PM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: More coach height???
>
>
>Thanks All, I was thinking of using steel/alum block
>1/4to1" thick
>(depending on shock bottom travel / air bag stud. / air
>hookup length)
>between cone/arm, block being same size as arm seat.
>Which I believe would
>be safe? Now I don't want to raise coach ride height in
>travel position,
>Just want to get max. height in manual raise position.
>And if could be done,
>I would think height would remain the same in auto
>travel position. Now if I
>can only get 1/4" rise say at bumper forget it, but 1/2
>or more might be
>worth it. Thank again.
>
>Ron&Gina
>73 Pumpkin-Rose
>Ft. Mohave. AZ.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From:
>To:
>Sent: Thursday, September 23, 1999 7:15 AM
>Subject: Re: GMC: More coach height???
>
>
>> In a message dated 9/23/99 8:51:59 AM Central Daylight Time,

>>
>> > One or two washers would not give you a lot of
>extra height, but it
>> > would extend slightly the amount of extention the
>bag could go, which
>> > is what gives the coach height. One of our
>engineer types could
>calculate
>> > the additional height per 1/4 inche of washers.
>> >
>> Mike
>>
>> If we are back to the point where we can play with
>ideas here are some
>> thoughts.
>>
>> First: I do not know but I dont think the washers
>will work. The ride
>height
>> valve will keep the coach at the same height.
>>
>> 2nd: When I redid my bogies I had to get new links
>between the ride
>> height valve and the bogie swing arm. The
>ones I got from Gateway
>> are adjustable.
>>
>> 3rd: In theory you should be able to shorten the arm
>and the ride height
>> valve will compensate. I did this to get my
>coach level. I have no
>> idea if this
>> is good on the bags or not. Might lead to hot
>dogging. If you need
>> the extra clearance I think this will work.
>>
>> 4th: I am guessing that you cannot get the clearance
>by just raising
>> it up with the control valves? BTW the rubber
>ends on the links
>> on my coach were shot. I had to raise it all
>the way up just to
>> drive it. Might take a look at yours.
>>
>> Take Care
>> Arch 76 GB IL
>
>
>