My 1978 20' p-30 chassis currently has front air bags. I have read some posts about the benefits of new springs and if air bags are even necessary. I also have a heavy duty, stock looking, sway bar. I saw something about IDP (?) sway bars and am wondering if an upgrade is advisable. Any recommendations on what and where to buy?

Terry,

My '78-24' does not have airbags. The previous owner (24 years!) had the front end weighed, added some live-load and then had SuperSpring make a set of coils designed for that weight. That, combined with new Bilsteins to arrest any bottoming-out potential have worked well for me, including zero airbag hassle.......

I've long heard that airbags on P-30's were a chassis manufacturer's compromise, as they did not know the final end-loads to be imposed by the coach builder. Airbags allowed for a coil spring to absorb a wider range of loadings...in other words, a crutch.
Once a unit is manufactured, the large range loading is a moot point........

I suppose there's always the risk of losing the shock and having the spring "crash" into a metal-metal contact on a severe chuckhole, etc, but for the trouble-free suspension I have, I'll take the risk. (and it won't be any worse than that experienced by the legions of units out there with blown-out, flat or defective airbags....)

There's folks out here with much more knowledge than I have about this subject....Hopefully, they'll join-in!

The front end needs to be adjusted to factory ride height. This can be done with air bags, new springs, or a Hellweg helper spring. Right now there is an ad in the recycler from a fellow in Long Beach for the Hellweg for $30.

A bigger sway bar and Bilsteins were a dramatic improvement on my 27' and a 30' P30s. I would suspect that the improvement would be a little less with a 20 footer, though.

BTW, what size engine does your 20 footer have?

My 20' has a chevy 350.

The 350 makes your front end even lighter, so you do not need help as badly as with a 454.

How is your ride height?

Bill h, how does one go about finding out what the factory height is supposed to be and how the measurment is taken? I need this information for a 25' 1973.

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Bill & Diane
1973 25'
454 CID P-30 Chassis
German Shepard Dog

Bill, I have a 1986 chart that gives a metal to metal measurement at the bump stop. Other years will be similar. If you have 5000 lbs on your front axle, the measurement should be 2 3/8 to 3 inches. I can send you a scan of the chart or fax it to you.

I think I sent Dave a copy, but can't remember for sure.

I have a pdf titled Bill H's P-30 Allignment Specs. Would that be it Bill?

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[This message has been edited by davebowers (edited March 04, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by davebowers (edited March 04, 2004).]

Dave, it should be Appendix 3-2 on page 3-19

That Bill, I do not have..

OK, real stupid question here. Bill, you mentioned metal to metal measurement at the bump stop. Would not that be a rubber to metal measurement? I am trying to get an accurate measurement from the correct location.

Give me an Email or fax and I will send you a copy. Or US Snail.

Anyone else with a P30 is welcome to a copy.

[This message has been edited by bill h (edited March 04, 2004).]

Bill, I would appreciate a copy. Please email to stevson@dam.net Thanks, Bill

Terry, there are no stupid questions! :~)

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Bill & Diane
1973 25'
454 CID P-30 Chassis
German Shepard Dog

[This message has been edited by Bill Stevson (edited March 04, 2004).]

Bill, send me a copy too.
Thanks
eddiechevalier@hotmail.com

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Eddie Chevalier
'85 Barth Regal 28' P-30 454
'91 Honda Accord/'87 Yamaha YSR 50 Toads

It measures 2" from metal to rubber. So, I guess it has 2" of compression left before it bottoms out.