1999 spartan chassis air bag

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Superstock

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Oct 20, 2012
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I recently purchased a 1999 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager 34 ft pusher. I discovered an air bag problem and have MH at a dealer working on it they have run into the same problem as me, can not find a replacement bag. Has any one got an idea where they may be found, spartan has one they are really proud of about 600 bucks for one bag. Looking for some help here.
Gary
 
What sort of shop has it? RV dealer or???  Most truck repair shops have sources for replacement air bags. There is nothing unique about a motorhome suspension - they use industry standard parts.
 
My motor home is at RV dealer where I purchased, they are kind of new to the motor home market but have been a trailer/ camper dealer for many years. Thanks for the tip. I think part of the problem is the coach was built in Indiana and I am in the NW.
 
It's not an RV part, nor do most RV dealers know much about chassis repairs. Besides, the Spartan chassis was built in Michigan, using components from regular trucking industry sources. I recommend avoiding an RV dealer for any type of chassis repair, unless they are big enough to have their own specialized chassis shop.

If you have the Spartan part number for the bag, try calling around the truck repair places (preferably one that specializes in springs and suspensions) and see if they can match it. Take the RV there if they have it or can get it. There should also be heavy truck parts places that might have them, e.g. a NAPA store that handles heavy & medium duty truck parts as well as cars & light truck.

Use the Spartan Service Locator to find shops that can handle the chassis. It doesn't have to be an authorized Spartan dealer, but it helps to have a shop familiar with the chassis.
http://www.spartanchassis.com/cps/service/service_centers.asp
 
X2 on what Gary said, any commerial heavy duty truck shop will be able to replace the air bag and at a fraction of the cost of Spartan.
 
Once again thank you for the information I will start making calls on Monday.
Have a good weekend.
Gary
 
Good luck.  I just went through that. I searched the country over and had no luck.  Firestone bags just went proprietary and unless you can find someone who happens to have one in stock Spartan is going to be your only choice.  I don't have all the details with me but Firestone also changed the type of rubber they use in the manufacturer of the bags.  I did find the rear bags at an independent dealer but had to get the front ones from Spartan.  I am on the road and have all the reference material at home but if i can track it down I will get you the name of the outfit that I got the rear bags from.  They had a source for some bags in Texas but the owner had gone on an extended trip and the bags were in his warehouse.  I will try and get back with you. 
 
Jim & Tarry, I thank you so much for the information. It would be great if you could pass on the contacts you have. I had kind of heard that firestone had done a lot of rv'ers a bad deed. I have never been a Firestone fan and this is another reason why. I have also been searching to see if I could find a Goodyear replacement, I hear they have the right size but the fitting size is different. Fittings are not a big deal as long as there is room to adapt. Thanks for the tips and I am waiting to hear from you again.
Gary
 
Great news, I got my motor home back today. New air bag did wonders for the ride and I was told that Firestone just recently started manufacturing the bag I needed again. I do have to give the credit to the ones that did the work for me. Kudos to everyone at SUMNER RV in Sumner Washington, nothing but the greatest people to work with.
Gary & Patty Dahl
 
I am currently having the same problem with a 1999 Magnum Chassis. The front bags are weather rotted and need to be replaced. I have it at Freightliner which is a heavy duty truck repair company in Las Vegas. After 2 weeks they are having a big problem getting the air bags from anyone and just told me it will take about a month for Firestone to manufacture the bags and get them to Las Vegas.  I even asked about changing the mounts so they could accept a more readily available air bag. They (Freightliner) say that can't be done due to liability issues.

Anyone have any ideas about how to get airbags replaced on these Diesel Pusher Chassis, it must not be that unusual of a problem

Thanks
 
Parts for any orphan chassis can be a problem, but I would think that Magnum used and air system from some component vendor. Maybe they went out of business too?

Magnum Chassis was absorbed by Roadmaster (Monaco/Navistar). Wonder if they could help, or at least identify a source?
 
Thanks Gary, I will check into that. I believe that Freightliner did call Monaco. Our rig is a Harney Renegade which became Safari and then Monaco. As I understand it, Monaco doesn't offer much if any Customer support anymore.
I would ask if there is a modification to be able to put a more readily available air bag on this old of an RV ?
 
I have got the problem with airbag resolved. It seems the manufacturer had discontiued the product and after lots of demand they started manufaturing once again. I plan on an Alaska trip and will order myself a spare for front and rear. I thank you all for the advise you gave. For any one else needing them they be able to purchace easily now and not to high priced either.
Gary
 

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