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An E450 24' RV is not that big, but it's much larger than my aluminum jack and jack stands can handle. While Dave had the equipment that might have been able to handle the load, he suggested that I might want to see if our mutual buddy, Elmer, at Platinum Diesel would have time to fit my RV into his shop. Over the years Elmer has accomplished a number of tasks for me – some quite unique. For example, before I got a tow dolly Elmer helped me weld up a tow bar attachment for a flat tow system that I obtained. And it actually reduced the weight of the car by a couple of pounds in the process. We also welded up a tire carrier to this tow bar so that could easily carry 6 extra 14″ tires. Or the time we added a tow hitch to the front of my RV so that i could easily attach a bicycle carrier. But you get the idea, if I had an idea that was a bit out in left field, Elmer was and is the man to help me make it happen.
Here's a pic from an article back in 2010 when I was flat towing the car. I think that the space saving tire bar that Elmer created from my rough sketches is still a really great idea. Flat towing simply was not as good as a tow dolly (which in turn, is not as good as a trailer!)I popped out to see Elmer and we chatted about what I needed and the timeline that he could manage – in the short few days that I could offer before we headed west. Then Elmer assigned me my homework. Find out what brand of air bag had been installed in my 2000 Ford E450 and then see what stock they might have. Initially I thought that this was going to be quite a challenge, as I knew that in my documentation of this 15 year old truck (I am the third owner of this vehicle which was originally on the road in B.C.), there was no data on the air bag system. I was not sure where to start and then I recalled that near the rear axles there was a sticker indicating the best air pressure to set the bags. Sure enough, the brand Air Lift was listed on the sticker. A quick Internet search garnered a phone number and a phone call later I was in shock.
I needed a replacement air bag for the passenger side. I was blown away when Mike at Air Lift informed me that they would send me the air bag for a $10 handling/shipping fee. Further, since I shared that I was heading to B.C., he let me know that he'd be including a second air bag and the line kit! Talk about amazing customer support! Wow! Air Lift is located in Lansing, Michigan.Not only did they have my system in stock, but even though my truck was fifteen years old, my air bag system was completely covered by a lifetime warranty that I did not even know existed. Further, when I explained my timeline and the upcoming trip to the west coast, Air Lift let me know that they could not control the time crossing the border. On a good day a customer may not even notice the delay of a package crossing the border; but if it was a bad day that could really cause havoc with my schedule. So I arranged with Mike at Air Lift to send the package to my New York address, where I could have it shipped overnight and still manage to meet my departure date. Upon booking that, Mike let me know that he would be sending me the second bag and the line kit to ensure that my trip was not delayed by any further issues. Talk about amazing customer service. Lansing, Michigan was too far to consider, but New York was an easy drive, and that way I could ensure I got the parts across the border in time to install before the weekend.
A trip across the border was less than a two hour drive one way for me. Got my package and stopped at a local outlet mall to pick up a pair of Skechers (I digress, but these are really comfortable shoes), and then headed back to Waterloo. Declared my purchases and the warranty replacement items at the border, no duty or taxes on warranty items, and by mid-afternoon I was home. Changed into some work clothes and headed out to Platinum Diesel, as Elmer had already called to see if I had the parts for our scheduled Friday morning shop time and, as I was already back, let me know we could squeeze the truck in right then.
The Air Lift air bag is made of very sturdy material. Even deflated it retains it's shape. So now it needs to go inside the coil spring. Notice the massive air jack. The advantage of a working in a heavy truck shop is that the equipment can handle my RV with ease. Elmer wasn't sure if it could lift a loaded dump truck, but indicated it didn't even break a sweat to lift an empty tandem one.
Arriving at the shop the RV was already in the work bay with the front end jacked up and the deflated original airbag sitting on the floor beside the truck. There was a hole near the top where, when Elmer inflated the bag to check for leaks, the initial hole/crack popped wide open. There was no question where the hole was now!
Look at the size of that Gray air jack stand. One of these monsters has a capacity of 30 000 pounds. With one on both sides of the RV, the front was securely off of the ground and also level, making it easy to work on. There is no doubt, this project was better suited to a shop rather than my driveway.
