Leaf Springs And Air Bag Suspension

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Hello Jim:

I have not had a Coach with leaf springs but in talking to several that do
I would prefer the air ride with bags over the springs. The ride is softer
providing the shocks are good and set right. Were I you, looking for an
entry Coach I would go no less than the early 80's Birds for a start. This
is not to degrade the coaches with leaf springs, far from it. The air bags
ride a little lower than leaf springs I believe and with bags you have the
option of dumping the air suspension when parked for a lower entry step.
Also if you come to a low overhead somewhere along the line, you can temp.
dump the suspension and gain another 3 to 4 inches of clearance.

I know of 2 early FC's beside the ones listed in the forum, both with air
ride but don't really know much about the Coaches over all, save for the
year models.

Other things about Coaches with air ride are later up dates in Coach
systems. You can read about the many differences on Vintage Birds web site
under history. Go with the air ride if you have a choice would be my thinking.

Good luck in your search,

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm

At 10:51 PM 9/13/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>I am currently in the market for an FC nodel 'Bird. I was hoping that
>folks here might be able to tell me the differences, advantages and
>disadvantages, of the FC's with air bag suspension or say the
>suspension of a 1978 model that does not have the air bags.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>-- Jim
>
>
>