Our Tubby Roadtrek 210 – A Long Post on Suspension Upgrades

[Luv2Go-ClassB]

Yes, unintentionally and first on the right side only, then both sides after I noticed it and tried to inflate it and in the process deflated the left. As one might expect with no overload, it was very harsh, passengers in the back let me know right away! Not wallowy at all but that also could be due to the panhard (track) bar I installed.

 

[TX-Trek]

We never have, seems to defeat the purpose of installing them. I run them at about 55psi, after being on the road they typically go up to about 60 or 62 psi. For us that seems to be the sweet spot on inflation pressure.

 

[booster]

Yes, unintentionally and first on the right side only, then both sides after I noticed it and tried to inflate it and in the process deflated the left. As one might expect with no overload, it was very harsh, passengers in the back let me know right away! Not wallowy at all but that also could be due to the panhard (track) bar I installed.

A 210 with passengers in the back is going to much heavier, probably 6-700 pounds or more heavier, so you would be down hard on the bump stops compared to our lighter in the rear and also no passengers 190. You would not have enough travel to wallow by comparison to ours.

 

[peteco]

We never have, seems to defeat the purpose of installing them. I run them at about 55psi, after being on the road they typically go up to about 60 or 62 psi. For us that seems to be the sweet spot on inflation pressure.

I ask because it is good to know how the vehicle handles if a bag or airline fails while driving.

 

[TX-Trek]

I ask because it is good to know how the vehicle handles if a bag or airline fails while driving.

Ah, good point. Hopefully won't find out. I do know that height increase is minimal with inflated bags, but there is an absorption of what used to be big hits, especially at start and end of overpass. With 10 ply LT tires you still feel them but it's not that big teeth-jarring slam as before front and rear suspension was modified.
Incidentally, as booster noted, the 210P is weight-biased to the rear.
Attached is our weight recorded in full travel mode, loaded, 2 adults, full fuel and full rear water tank.

 

[peteco]

Ah, good point. Hopefully won't find out. I do know that height increase is minimal with inflated bags, but there is an absorption of what used to be big hits, especially at start and end of overpass. With 10 ply LT tires you still feel them but it's not that big teeth-jarring slam as before front and rear suspension was modified.
Incidentally, as booster noted, the 210P is weight-biased to the rear.
Attached is our weight recorded in full travel mode, loaded, 2 adults, full fuel and full rear water tank.

My Firestone airbags don't have the jounce bumper in them. I have driven with the airbags low or at zero due to leaks without much difference in ride it seems. But I may need to replace them due to damage from the tire store.

I am amazed your weight is so low. I am at 9600-9800 lbs loaded like you. And I have removed the generator. I do carry some tools and the storage areas are fairly full. I guess it all adds up.

 

[TX-Trek]

I thought our weight was high lol, but also surprised at the difference. Yes, that is with the genset, also tools, spares, etc in the rear storage. It doesn't include weight of the large front (exterior) freshwater tank as we typically only fill the rear water tank.

 

[booster]

I thought our weight was high lol, but also surprised at the difference. Yes, that is with the genset, also tools, spares, etc in the rear storage. It doesn't include weight of the large front (exterior) freshwater tank as we typically only fill the rear water tank.

Does your weight include the people? It is surprisingly low to me also for a 210.

 

[TX-Trek]

Yes, both of us in the van as it was weighed. As mentioned, our fully outfitted travel weight.

 

[Luv2Go-ClassB]

That is interesting. Our 2005's rear weight is right at the 6084lb axle limit (I have the G80 RPO code but unfortunately on our 2005 they used a semi-floater Gov-Lock Dana 60S, I replaced the left axle and bearing at about 90k miles). Even more surprising as the rear tank was full, ours was with the rear tank empty.

 

[booster]

That is interesting. Our 2005's rear weight is right at the 6084lb axle limit (I have the G80 RPO code but unfortunately on our 2005 they used a semi-floater Gov-Lock Dana 60S, I replaced the left axle and bearing at about 90k miles). Even more surprising as the rear tank was full, ours was with the rear tank empty.

That is very, very interesting. I have never even heard of a G80 60s, much less in a Roadtrek.

Does the van have the trailer tow package, which also includes the trans cooler in front of the radiator?

 

[TX-Trek]

That is interesting. Our 2005's rear weight is right at the 6084lb axle limit (I have the G80 RPO code but unfortunately on our 2005 they used a semi-floater Gov-Lock Dana 60S, I replaced the left axle and bearing at about 90k miles). Even more surprising as the rear tank was full, ours was with the rear tank empty.

We've also got the RPO G80 axle but not the 60s, so far at 95k no rear bearing issues, but they obviously take a lot of strain. I keep the rear lube changed every 25-30k miles, probably way more than needed but that's me. Redline 75w110.
But your comments have surprised and educated me about that rear weight. I knew it was close to the 6k rating but seeing your info it surprised me that our tubby was on the lighter end of the scale.

 

[booster]

We've also got the RPO G80 axle but not the 60s, so far at 95k no rear bearing issues, but they obviously take a lot of strain. I keep the rear lube changed every 25-30k miles, probably way more than needed but that's me. Redline 75w110.
But your comments have surprised and educated me about that rear weight. I knew it was close to the 6k rating but seeing your info it surprised me that our tubby was on the lighter end of the scale.

You would have a 10.5" super 70s Dana like all other g80 Roadtreks I have heard of, I think.

The driveline shop I deal with says they will go 3-400K miles without touching them, so you will probably never have an issue.

 

[Luv2Go-ClassB]

@booster, We have the GT5, G80, and, of course, the Dana 60s semi-floating axle. When I replaced the axle shaft I verified it was a Gov-lock, not an open diff (also verified it had not "grenaded" itself as they are known to). As near as I can tell from posts on this forum, parts websites and other sources, Chevy changed to the semi-floating rear axle for all or part of the 2005 model year. If it was 2004, I'd have a full floating rear axle.

We have an external engine oil cooler and I do remember tracing the transmission cooler lines to an external cooler in front of the radiator when I flushed it. I think the RPO codes for those are KC4 and V14, which I do have. Not sure what the RPO code is for the trailer tow package is, the RPO code decoder table I have doesn't have it listed, but from what I've read on this forum it's not on our Roadtrek.

@TX-Trek, in 2010, Chevy went to the 6 speed transmission and also changed from Dana to American Axle, that may explain why your 2010 doesn't have the Dana 60s. booster and I posted about this in the brake rotor warning thread starting here.

 

[booster]

@booster, We have the GT5, G80, and, of course, the Dana 60s semi-floating axle. When I replaced the axle shaft I verified it was a Gov-lock, not an open diff (also verified it had not "grenaded" itself as they are known to). As near as I can tell from posts on this forum, parts websites and other sources, Chevy changed to the semi-floating rear axle for all or part of the 2005 model year. If it was 2004, I'd have a full floating rear axle.

We have an external engine oil cooler and I do remember tracing the transmission cooler lines to an external cooler in front of the radiator when I flushed it. I think the RPO codes for those are KC4 and V14, which I do have. Not sure what the RPO code is for the trailer tow package is, the RPO code decoder table I have doesn't have it listed, but from what I've read on this forum it's not on our Roadtrek.

@TX-Trek, in 2010, Chevy went to the 6 speed transmission and also changed from Dana to American Axle, that may explain why your 2010 doesn't have the Dana 60s. booster and I posted about this in the brake rotor warning thread starting here.

That information would indicate they were having trouble sourcing axle parts in late 2005.

We got bit from the later problems with that issue in 2007 when they used non aged axle housing for the 60s and they went out of shape in use. We had two pinion bearing failures in less that 20K miles on our 07 60s.

That is when I swapped it out for a 2004 70s with G80.

Yes, the AAR axle showed up with the 6 speed and it is the same as the older GM "corporate 10.5" full floater" of the past, but with disc brakes, according to what I have seen anyway. Many would say the AAR is a bit better than the 70s, and I would agree.

 

[TX-Trek]

Great info to all, thanks. Yes we have the 6.0/6L90e drivetrain with the AAR rear disc axle, RPO GU6 (3.42).

 

[TX-Trek]

@peteco,
Yoay have already thought about this. When I installed the omboard compressor/gauge assembly, I also added a manual fill valve for each side. If the compressor fails there's still a way to add air to each valve. Simply Y connection and valves under the bumper.

 

[peteco]

@peteco,
Yoay have already thought about this. When I installed the omboard compressor/gauge assembly, I also added a manual fill valve for each side. If the compressor fails there's still a way to add air to each valve. Simply Y connection and valves under the bumper.

Right now I have my airbags connected to each other. Pros and cons of this compared to having them isolated, but this setup has worked well so far, other than fighting leaks from the Firestone airline fittings. I have two feed lines connected: one for the compressor and one that has a TPMS sensor on it. I can read the airbag pressure on the TPMS display. If the compressor fails I can remove the TPMS sensor and fill with my 18v cordless compressor.

 

[TX-Trek]

I like that TPMS sensor in the airbag system!

 

[booster]

Right now I have my airbags connected to each other. Pros and cons of this compared to having them isolated, but this setup has worked well so far, other than fighting leaks from the Firestone airline fittings. I have two feed lines connected: one for the compressor and one that has a TPMS sensor on it. I can read the airbag pressure on the TPMS display. If the compressor fails I can remove the TPMS sensor and fill with my 18v cordless compressor.

You are lucky in that you can hold pressure with the compressor. I have not been able to find a check valve that holds up more than a few months so the tank is always empty. The bags stay full because they fill through a dual gauge dual control manual Airlift control that is positive shutoff.

The fittings are always the worst for leaks.