Author Topic: 96 Patriot Air bags  (Read 3405 times)

Jeff Johnson

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96 Patriot Air bags
« on: March 21, 2020, 02:15:01 AM »
Greetings,
  Looking for input on what brand and model air bags SMC used on the 1996 Beaver Patriots. Was there a coach model differentiation for what received what model air bag?  Kaizer brake and alignment in Eugene said that my 4 rear air bags had rubber flaking off of them. I did not have time to get under and try to look at them as I was getting out of Oregon asap before the government shut everything down.
BTW Kaizer did a great job aligning the coach and made a huge improvement on how it handles I-5 and I-84 up the Columbia gorge. Their foreman noted the coach alignment was way toed out, so that would explain it was being  squirrely on the freeway.

  On a personal note I appreciate the responses i have received from everyone here on BAC trying to chip in and help.

Thank you in advance,
Jeff
1996 Patriot Savannah
CAT 3126B

Lee Welbanks

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2020, 05:30:23 AM »
Jeff, About the only way I've found to get the correct bag is to remove them and look at the part number on the top of the bag. I found that out with the front bags on my 06 Patriot Thunder, and they were a real bugger to change out.
Just because they have some rubber flaking off does not mean they are going to fail tomorrow, usually when a bag starts leaking it will be like a pin hole very minor leak. I have heard of a bag blowing out but it is very rare.

Jeff Johnson

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2020, 05:57:44 AM »
  Thank you Lee for the good advice, unfortunately that was what I was afraid of. Just didn't want the coach sitting in someones shop while i scramble for the parts.
  Jeff

1996 Patriot Savannah
CAT 3126B

Lee Welbanks

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2020, 02:42:56 PM »
Jeff, I made a set of steel sq tube struts that go from main frame to the subframe to hold the coach up while I was waiting for the bags to show up. It took a week or so to get the bags. There should be somebody in here that has done the bags on your year coach to be able to get some good numbers.

Mike Shumack

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2020, 04:05:36 PM »
I saved this info on replacement air bags - but it doesn't go back to 1996. If you find out the '96 bags are the same let me know and I'll update the drawing for the next guy.

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Eric Maclean

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2020, 05:36:34 PM »
Mike
Last year I replaced a front on my 1997 PT and it was a 1R11-121 as you stated the rears I haven't checked yet but they look the same .
Eric
1997 Patriot Yorktown
3126-B
2009 Chevy HHR
Roadmaster falcon tow bar
Demco Air Force one tow brake.

Jeff Johnson

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2020, 07:05:27 PM »
Lee, Mike and Eric,

Thank you for that good info.

Thanks,
Jeff
1996 Patriot Savannah
CAT 3126B

Lee Welbanks

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2020, 07:33:58 PM »
I knew somebody in here would have changed bags on that year of coach, good job.

Carl Boger

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2020, 12:55:13 AM »
I did all 8 on my 98 Patriot Savannah, they were the 1R11-121 bags all the way around.  I am lucky to have friends who own a trucking company so getting the MH up and in the air wasn't a problem.  I also did new shocks and tires while I was there.  Access to some of the airbags can be challenging. 
Carl

98 Beaver Patriot Savannah
330 hp Cat 3126

Marty and Suzie Schenck

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2020, 03:27:43 AM »
I had a friend replace all of his bags on a non slide 1996 Patriot. They were Goodyear 1R11-121's. Those can be purchased at Stengel Bros. truck parts right now for $174.05 each. There is deal if you buy several at a time and maybe even a coupon. Marty

Jeff Johnson

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2020, 06:31:48 AM »
Thank you Carl, Marty and Suzie,
Do you know what model '96 Patriot your friends had? Ours is a 33' Savannah. I get the feeling that SMC/ Beaver was not very consistent with there BOM's (bill of materials). Ours was built in May so any changes at or around the new Year should have already been worked out.

Jeff
1996 Patriot Savannah
CAT 3126B

Eric Maclean

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2020, 01:20:14 PM »
Mike
I was looking at the difference between the 1R11-121 and  the 1R12-492 as you showed and observed that they both bolt in the same way ( once the bolt configuration is changed ).
When you realize they are interchangeable it dawned on me that what we are likely looking at is the difference between the  B series chassis and the C series ( Patriot Thunder with the C12 Cat as apposed to the 3126 Cat)
The early Thunders had no tag axle but did have a higher GVWR this may have been how they achieved the higher Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to allow for the heavier engine.
 
With that said the only difference I see in the two air bags would be the outside circumference of the rubber rolling lobe which would give the bag more air capacity and more surface area for a better ride quality ( more air and surface area should give more cushion )
Just a thought
Eric
1997 Patriot Yorktown
3126-B
2009 Chevy HHR
Roadmaster falcon tow bar
Demco Air Force one tow brake.

Jeff Johnson

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Re: 96 Patriot Air bags
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2020, 05:41:06 PM »
Thank you Eric.
Good observation on the differences.

Jeff
1996 Patriot Savannah
CAT 3126B