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Stuck and not sure what to do
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Who is Rudy Legget and how would I get hold of him. Thanks for all the thoughts. Of course, the hole in on the inside side of the bag and I can just barely reach the tip of my finger in there with the tire on. If it were anywhere else I could likely push something in that could create a seal long enough to drive to Prevost.
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Rudy is the AquaHot expert in the Houston area, he advertises here on PC. His number is 713 818 3234.
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This started Thursday night, its now Saturday afternoon. I hope Fulltime Bill is up and running.
If not, this can’t be rocket science. I’ve never jacked up a coach with a blown front bag, I’ve never removed and replaced a truck or bus tire/wheel, and I’ve never replaced an airbag on a Prevost.
But I think getting this done should not be as difficult as what Bill is experiencing. In spite of what Jon wrote, I’m still frustrated that Prevost wasn’t apparently much help, especially in light of he fact Bill had confidence enough in Prevost to put new bags on his coach and one blew out in a short period of time. Prevost Houston to Richmond, TX is only 40 miles. Its not like he’s stuck in Conover or Arpin Wisconsin where cell service is not very reliable and some roads aren’t plowed in the winter.
Bill … this is what I’d do:
1. Find a bag. Prevost of course is a good source. NAPA. A closeby seated coach operator, etc.
2. Then I’d find a truck/bus tire guy with a mobile service truck. I see them on the interstate all the time. They should have the equipment on board to raise the chassis (probably some 20 ton air assisted bottle jacks) up high enough to remove the wheel/tire, and get at the bag.
3. I would expect most techs going out on a truck/bus tire road side problem should be able to change an air bag. If not, find another road side tire service. Last resort, Prevost should be able to talk the guy or gal through the process.
That’s the process I would go through if I was in your situation.
I would be really, really apprehensive trying to “patch” the bag. I just can’t see that holding long enough to get you to Prevost. What I can see if the patch coming apart at the worst possible place and time.
This is another situation that should speak loudly to those of us who don’t have Coach-Net or some other big rig road side emergency service.
Good luck Bill! Keep us posted. If I wasn’t in West Palm Beach I’d come over to help you.
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A: I already have a new air bag from Prevost!
B: I have excellent road service, it’s just a matter of deciding if I want to put it on the hook and have it towed to Prevost or whether I can find a mobile service that I would have to pay for. I am working here in Richmond so I have not done anything yet and it’s not critical that I get it done today but I do need to get it done “shortly” before the company tells me I need to move.
If you remember the days of tire patches where you removed the tire, scraped it clean, put down some glue and a round patch and remounted the whole thing, I would like to have a round patch with a rubber extension in the center that I could push through, allow the round patch to expand and the air pressure would hold it in place for 30 miles. Pretty sure I will have to patent my invention and I will be the only one who will every use it but wouldn’t that be awesome!
Monday we will start making calls and see if we can find anyone willing to help us out of our bind. Prevost won’t so I have to find someone who will.
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I hope you can lift it in place and replace the bag where you’re parked. My last resort would be to tow it. Good luck.
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I would rather eat bees than have my bus towed.
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You should be able to find a mobile guy to do it.
I had Nyack Towing remove a broken axle trailing arm on my trailer on the side of I-80 in Donner Pass.
More to the point, I’ve personally changed the front airbags on the floor of my storage unit on my IFS equipped 1999 without removing the wheels…probably easier with wheels removed
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I replaced All my bags a while back and the front was not bad to do, 2 jacks one in middle of front and the other under axle, long breaker bar to loosen lugs. Once wheel is off it’s a cake walk, a short piece of 2×4 or something to stuff under plastic above bag to get fitting off a 5/8 crows foot wrench, remove 2 bolts on bottom and 2 on top and it lifts right out, much easier that drive axle. Kinda weird those bags are very thick rubber.
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Bill,
I just saw your post. I don’t know if you found someone, but here is a name and number – Jay Morales 832.723.5332. Jay is a mobile RV mechanic in Houston. I spoke to him and he will come to Richmond. He has worked on my Angola and Millennium over the last 15 years. He hasn’t done any airbags for me, but he did do some on a couple of other Prevosts in the recent past.
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WOW! I can’t thank you enough. I will be giving him a call first thing tomorrow. Maybe he will be able to come by Thurs. or Fri on our days off!
Great site. Thanks everyone!
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We had a similar situation last spring. We had all our airbags changed at Jacksonville and then a couple of weeks later, blew one in Texas, about 2 hours south of Dallas. Dallas Prevost was able to send a tow truck, that confirmed that yes it was the airbag and then he called Prevost Dallas and they sent down another driver with a replacement air bag and it was changed by the tow truck driver and myself. Very surprised that Houston was not able to offer the same service.
Not sure if that helps, but thought I would relay my experience!
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Can’t believe the Folks at Houston Prevost wouldn’t recommend a service cat. Heck Bubba, the General Manager or Chris, the Service Manager seem like stand up guys. Hope it all works out..
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Why would a new bag blow out?
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I’m not sure the whole story has yet been revealed.
It is unlike Prevost to not bend over backwards to assist a customer that has had recent work fail, and needs service or replacement. Especially given the proximity of the coach to the shop.
Maybe the air bag replacement was the wrong size? Maybe it was damaged by road debris?
An air bag replacement, especially the steer axle involves an air fitting and 4 nuts. Not much can be simpler than that. Once the bag is extended by raising the chassis everything else is routine and simple and it does not make any sense for Prevost to not provide a service truck, a tow (at their expense) or a local mobile service provider.
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Sorry, but you do have the whole story. Prevost did not install the air bag that went bad but the hole is in the center of the bag, a tiny split. The bag will inflate a bit and then the pressure causes the split to open and that’s it. I called Houston last week for help, they said they would get me scheduled for mobile service this week. The lady I spoke to called me back said she had talked to the service manager and they did not have mobile equipment available for that kind of a repair. End of story.
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