How To Make RV Camper Leveling Airbags To Replace Leveling Blocks
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Ever since I saw the FlatJacks, I've wanted a set for the Sprinter Van Camper and the Hybrid Rockwood Roo camper trailer with tandem axles. For a camper van, you will need at least 2 of these. For a tandem axle trailer, you will also need a pair of these, one under each wheel on side that needs to be raised up.
As usual, they are expensive, which makes me want to waste time building them instead. Here it goes.
This is the best tutorial and construction method I have found:
They are using 2ft of 8in diameter discharge hose. This is genius because since it's a large tube, only the ends need to be sealed. 8in diameter tube has a lay flat width of 13.5in. The recommended tubing from the video is sold by McMaster for $35.70 per foot. For a 2 ft leveling airbag, the hose will cost $70.
Although the tubing is 8in diameter, the max lifting limit using this is probably only about 4in. To lift higher, a larger diameter tube will be needed. Flat-Jacks measure about 26.6 inches in diameter when flat and can lift up to 7in.
12in diameter discharge hose is the largest size where the price is still reasonable. I've seen 14in and 16in hoses, but they get very expensive per foot.
10in discharge hose is still reasonably priced. The layflat width is 16in.
The working pressure is 35psi, but the burst pressure is 100 psi. It only takes about 20 PSI to operate.
The wall thickness is 0.111 inches. That's almost 1/8 inch, so pretty thick.
WHERE TO BUY:
The high-pressure 10" discharge hose is stronger and thicker. It's also made of EPDM covered with polyurethane. Rubber cement solvent adhesive, or PVC adhesive, won't work for this material. Rubberized super glue is used to glue EPDM.
WHERE TO BUY:
12" discharge hose is even better than 10in, and not much more expensive. Although the manufacturer's website says that there is a high-pressure version, I can not find it for sale by the foot.
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