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Air Bag Life [message #252542]

Wed, 18 June 2014 15:55

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

I just noticed that my original style Firestone air bags are starting to weather check at the folds. One is less than six years old and the other is about eight years old. I intend to eventually replace them with the Quadra Bag system, but my budget for GMC improvements is just about spent for this year. How much time do I have left on these bags, or should I bite the bullet and go ahead with the upgrade. The replacement option may be a bit of a problem to get past the CFO right now, but she is usually pretty reasonable when it comes to the safety of the coach.

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

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Re: Air Bag Life [message #252543 is a reply to message #252542]

Wed, 18 June 2014 16:04

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

Carl S. wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 15:55

I just noticed that my original style Firestone air bags are starting to weather check at the folds. One is less than six years old and the other is about eight years old. I intend to eventually replace them with the Quadra Bag system, but my budget for GMC improvements is just about spent for this year. How much time do I have left on these bags, or should I bite the bullet and go ahead with the upgrade. The replacement option may be a bit of a problem to get past the CFO right now, but she is usually pretty reasonable when it comes to the safety of the coach.

There are original Firestone bags still in service after 40 years. Maybe your CFO would let you buy some of those bag protectors

http://www.bdub.net/sternfels/

And if you don't have your heart set on the quad bag system, the Sullybilt system is a fraction of the quad bag cost.

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Re: Air Bag Life [message #252544 is a reply to message #252543]

Wed, 18 June 2014 16:17

Otterwan

Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...

Karma: 0

Senior Member

And the Sullybilt System handles great, runs at lower pressure, is a direct bolt in replacement requiring no modifications AT ALL (you can keep your old bag as a spare), and the bags are readily available for around $130.

Not often mentioned regarding the bag used with the Sullybilt System is that they have an internal bump stop, so even if you blow a bag you don't crash all the way to the ground.

1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."

[Updated on: Wed, 18 June 2014 16:18]

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Re: [GMCnet] Air Bag Life [message #252545 is a reply to message #252542]

Wed, 18 June 2014 16:10

powerjon

Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Carl,
The rubber on the outside is to protect the canvas bag on the inside. I would suggest that you get some 303 Aerospace Protectant and apply it to the bags. Do you store your coach inside or outside? If outside I would be covering the bags as well as the tires when not in use.
JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
78 GMC Buskirk 30’ Stretch
1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

On Jun 18, 2014, at 4:55 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:

> I just noticed that my original style Firestone air bags are starting to weather check at the folds. One is less than six years old and the other is
> about eight years old. I intend to eventually replace them with the Quadra Bag system, but my budget for GMC improvements is just about spent for
> this year. How much time do I have left on these bags, or should I bite the bullet and go ahead with the upgrade. The replacement option may be a
> bit of a problem to get past the CFO right now, but she is usually pretty reasonable when it comes to the safety of the coach.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan

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Re: [GMCnet] Air Bag Life [message #252549 is a reply to message #252545]

Wed, 18 June 2014 16:50

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

Thanks John. I store the coach outside but have T-skirts covering them, so virtually no sunlight gets to them. I will look for the 303 Aerospace protectant.

I had thought about getting a set of the Sternfels bag protectors, and even got a circular from him in the mail a year or two ago. Just didn't think it was necessary since I planned to upgrade in a few years anyway. Maybe I should have done that, and I guess it's not too late.

I know all about the Sully Built system and even watched Todd install a set of them on Mac's coach at Shawnee a few years ago. I was impressed and agree it is a good alternative to the factory type set-up. I am also aware of the replacement bags being sold by Applied, but I am set on upgrading to the Quadrabag system

Again, the question is; How long will the bags last? When I replaced the right bag almost six years ago, Jim B told me they should easily last 15 years or a little less if exposed to the weather. I'm just hoping to get some additional input from some of the longer time owners.

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Re: [GMCnet] Air Bag Life [message #252552 is a reply to message #252545]

Wed, 18 June 2014 16:59

kelvin

Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Carl,

I do what JR does. I've owned my 230 for 11 years now. At some point a
PO must have replaced my airbags because they were in spectacular
shape. Not weatherchecked at all.

My coach is parked with the left side facing West. The late sun bakes
it. I've always covered the airbag and tires on that side when parked
(but not the sun-protected right side). I have kept them clean and
applied 303 Protectant a couple times a year. They look as good as they
did the day I bought the coach. Still no checking.

This has always been an Oregon coach. Arizona is likely much harder on
rubber.

Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR

On 6/18/2014 2:10 PM, John Wright wrote:
> Carl,
> The rubber on the outside is to protect the canvas bag on the inside. I would suggest that you get some 303 Aerospace Protectant and apply it to the bags. Do you store your coach inside or outside? If outside I would be covering the bags as well as the tires when not in use.
> JR Wright
> GMC Great Laker MHC
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> 78 GMC Buskirk 30’ Stretch
> 1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
> Michigan
>
> On Jun 18, 2014, at 4:55 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
>
>> I just noticed that my original style Firestone air bags are starting to weather check at the folds. One is less than six years old and the other is
>> about eight years old. I intend to eventually replace them with the Quadra Bag system, but my budget for GMC improvements is just about spent for
>> this year. How much time do I have left on these bags, or should I bite the bullet and go ahead with the upgrade. The replacement option may be a
>> bit of a problem to get past the CFO right now, but she is usually pretty reasonable when it comes to the safety of the coach.
>> --
>> Carl Stouffer
>> '75 ex Palm Beach
>> Tucson, AZ.
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: [GMCnet] Air Bag Life [message #252555 is a reply to message #252552]

Wed, 18 June 2014 17:11

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

Thanks Kelvin, It sounds like I don't have anything to worry about in the immediate future. I'll just try to take better care of my exposed rubber and keep an eye on things for another year or two.

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Re: Air Bag Life [message #252568 is a reply to message #252542]

Wed, 18 June 2014 20:54

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

Probably what John and Kelvin said. My q bags are pretty well covered with my skirts so I don't worry about them being 7 years old. I may need to grab a spare though.
Now: some evening, go out and let most of the air out of the worst looking bag. Next morning go outside and come back to get Kathy. Tell her how lucky y'all are that this happened in your driveway. I bet she turns loose of some of that cash. If not, tell her my story on the safety issues being improved drastically with the q bag. Before hand, call Jim K and work out the best deal you can, or Jim B, does not matter. You already know how much you are going to enjoy the q bags taking some of that sway out of the back so it does not wag the frontend around. With your wider offset dodge wheels your coach will drive almost as good as mine. Very Happy

If all else fails, call me on the phone.
Dan

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: Air Bag Life [message #252569 is a reply to message #252568]

Wed, 18 June 2014 21:05

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 18:54

Probably what John and Kelvin said. My q bags are pretty well covered with my skirts so I don't worry about them being 7 years old. I may need to grab a spare though.
Now: some evening, go out and let most of the air out of the worst looking bag. Next morning go outside and come back to get Kathy. Tell her how lucky y'all are that this happened in your driveway. I bet she turns loose of some of that cash. If not, tell her my story on the safety issues being improved drastically with the q bag. Before hand, call Jim K and work out the best deal you can, or Jim B, does not matter. You already know how much you are going to enjoy the q bags taking some of that sway out of the back so it does not wag the frontend around. With your wider offset dodge wheels your coach will drive almost as good as mine.
If all else fails, call me on the phone.
Dan

Ha Ha! That would be one way to do it. I'm sure she'll be okay with it when the time comes and I won't have to resort to trickery. Since I just sprung for a new waste tank, and a new TV for the house, she would be reluctant to lay out the cash for new bags just now. We'll e good for a while yet.

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Re: Air Bag Life [message #252571 is a reply to message #252569]

Wed, 18 June 2014 21:23

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

Carl S. wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 21:05

WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 18:54
Probably what John and Kelvin said. My q bags are pretty well covered with my skirts so I don't worry about them being 7 years old. I may need to grab a spare though.
Now: some evening, go out and let most of the air out of the worst looking bag. Next morning go outside and come back to get Kathy. Tell her how lucky y'all are that this happened in your driveway. I bet she turns loose of some of that cash. If not, tell her my story on the safety issues being improved drastically with the q bag. Before hand, call Jim K and work out the best deal you can, or Jim B, does not matter. You already know how much you are going to enjoy the q bags taking some of that sway out of the back so it does not wag the frontend around. With your wider offset dodge wheels your coach will drive almost as good as mine.
If all else fails, call me on the phone.
Dan

Ha Ha! That would be one way to do it. I'm sure she'll be okay with it when the time comes and I won't have to resort to trickery. Since I just sprung for a new waste tank, and a new TV for the house, she would be reluctant to lay out the cash for new bags just now. We'll e good for a while yet.

Yea, I hear ya. The new 50 inch tv probably killed this deal for a while. Very Happy

Dan
But, call me when you are ready

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Re: Air Bag Life [message #252580 is a reply to message #252571]

Wed, 18 June 2014 22:08

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 19:23

Carl S. wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 21:05
WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 18 June 2014 18:54
Probably what John and Kelvin said. My q bags are pretty well covered with my skirts so I don't worry about them being 7 years old. I may need to grab a spare though.
Now: some evening, go out and let most of the air out of the worst looking bag. Next morning go outside and come back to get Kathy. Tell her how lucky y'all are that this happened in your driveway. I bet she turns loose of some of that cash. If not, tell her my story on the safety issues being improved drastically with the q bag. Before hand, call Jim K and work out the best deal you can, or Jim B, does not matter. You already know how much you are going to enjoy the q bags taking some of that sway out of the back so it does not wag the frontend around. With your wider offset dodge wheels your coach will drive almost as good as mine.
If all else fails, call me on the phone.
Dan

Ha Ha! That would be one way to do it. I'm sure she'll be okay with it when the time comes and I won't have to resort to trickery. Since I just sprung for a new waste tank, and a new TV for the house, she would be reluctant to lay out the cash for new bags just now. We'll e good for a while yet.

Yea, I hear ya. The new 50 inch tv probably killed this deal for a while.
Dan

But, call me when you are ready

I'll do that Dan. As a high volume customer of Jim K, maybe I can finally talk him into giving me the "Dan Gregg Discount". Laughing

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