Safe to Hydraulic Level with little air in the Air Bags

[Mike Groves]

All,

Just wanted to know if this is ok in so far as the Air Bags.  I used my hydraulics several times and thus have evacuated nearly all of the air in the air bags.  I am up on the stilts a little to both level the coach and to take some weight off the tires as we expect to be here for a while.  Assuming most or all of the air is now out of the bags, should I consider putting some in or is this ok to allow the bags to be FLAT for a couple months stay?

Mike

[David T. Richelderfer]

It must be safe... because when I engage the auto hydraulic leveling on our coach the very first thing that happens is an air dump and concurrent extension of the single fore hydraulic ram.  The front hydraulic ram touches the ground first to raise the front of the coach a few inches to enable the front of the coach to pivot or rotate over the hydraulic ram.

It would make no sense for the system to air dump as a first operation when auto hydraulic leveling is engaged if it weren't okay for the air bags to be depressurized.

[Edward Buker]

Like David summarized, the suspension is designed so that the air bags can be empty when sitting, no issues.

Later Ed

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

For 9 years every fall I put oak blocks under the motorhome at various frame points for winter storage. I then dump the air. The motorhome then settles on the blocks and takes all the weight off of the axles and tires. In those 9 years I have never had an air bag problem. In fact (my opinion) with also covering the tires I believe it helped extend my tire life. After 8 years and 38,000 miles they still looked new inside and out. Marty

[Mike Groves]

Ok, sounds good but I know for a fact that when my system dumps air before using levelers it doesn't entirely empty the bags.  The reason I know that is because this last time I actuated it 3-4 times for various reasons I need not get into but each time air did bleed out during the 30 second period prior to the jacks actuating.  On the last time I didn't hear any air which I would assume meant not enough pressure left so basically empty bags.  This is the first time I feel that my bags have been this empty so it was worrying. 

thanks for all the responses.

Mike