RV Airbag Spring Assist: Are Mismatched Jounce Bumpers Safe to Use?

What's Going On

You're absolutely right in your assessment. Running one airbag with a jounce bumper and one without will not be an issue as long as you maintain air pressure in both bags. Since you never run your airbags empty, the jounce bumpers serve as emergency backup support that you'll never actually use. The airbags themselves will handle all the load leveling and spring assist duties, making the difference in jounce bumper configuration irrelevant to your setup's performance.

The confusion likely stems from Airlift's product line changes over the years. The "Ultimate" series bags can come with or without integrated jounce bumpers depending on the specific application and manufacturing period. Your existing bag without the bumper is perfectly functional, and mixing the two styles won't affect ride quality, load capacity, or safety when both bags maintain proper air pressure.

Why This Happens

Airlift has evolved their product designs over time, sometimes adding jounce bumpers to newer versions of existing part numbers while keeping the same model designation. This creates situations where identical part numbers can have slightly different physical configurations depending on when they were manufactured. The jounce bumper addition was likely a response to customer feedback about harsh bottoming-out during extreme compression events.

The jounce bumper itself is essentially a progressive spring that only engages when the airbag compresses to its minimum height - typically when completely deflated or under extreme load beyond the bag's capacity. Since you maintain air pressure consistently, your bags operate in their normal working range where both sides will compress and extend equally regardless of bumper presence.

Manufacturing tolerances and design updates also mean that even "matched" airbags can have slight variations in construction. What matters most is that both bags have the same load rating, maximum pressure rating, and mounting dimensions - which they do since they're the same part number from the same manufacturer.

Getting Ready

Before installing your replacement bag, verify that both airbags have identical pressure ratings and load capacities by checking the labels on each bag. Take photos of your current installation setup, including air line routing and electrical connections if you have pressure monitoring, to ensure proper reinstallation. Have your compressor or air source ready to immediately pressurize the new bag once installed.

Gather your standard airbag installation tools: appropriate wrenches for the mounting hardware, thread locker compound only if specifically required by manufacturer (note: thread locker may complicate emergency repairs and is often not recommended for serviceable suspension components), and a torque wrench if specified in your installation instructions. Check that your air lines and fittings are in good condition since you'll be disconnecting them during the replacement process.

Plan to test both bags at equal pressures after installation to confirm they respond identically to pressure changes. This will verify that the functional performance remains matched despite the physical difference in jounce bumper presence.

Walking Through the Fix

Ensure the RV is parked on level ground and properly supported with jack stands or wheel chocks before beginning work. Install your new replacement bag following standard airbag replacement procedures. Remove air pressure from the bag being replaced (you may also choose to depressurize both bags for safety), disconnect the air line from the damaged bag, and remove the mounting bolts. Install the new bag with the jounce bumper using the same mounting points and torque specifications as the original.

Reconnect the air line ensuring a secure, leak-free connection. Slowly pressurize both bags to your normal operating pressure - typically 15-20 PSI minimum for most RV applications, though this varies significantly by vehicle weight and application (always consult manufacturer specifications for your specific system). Check for any air leaks around fittings and connections before putting load on the system.

Test the system by loading your RV normally and checking that both sides level properly. The airbags should compress and extend equally under load despite the jounce bumper difference. Take the RV for a test drive at various speeds to confirm ride quality remains consistent and there's no pulling or uneven handling.

Monitor both airbags for the first few hundred miles to ensure they maintain pressure equally. Any significant pressure loss difference between sides would indicate an installation issue rather than the jounce bumper mismatch, which again won't affect normal operation.

Beyond DIY Territory

If you experience uneven ride quality or handling issues after installation, the problem isn't likely related to the jounce bumper difference but rather installation issues, air leaks, or other suspension components. A professional RV service center can diagnose suspension problems with proper alignment equipment and load testing capabilities.

Consider having a professional inspection if you notice any unusual tire wear patterns, pulling to one side, or significant differences in how each side of the RV responds to road conditions. These symptoms would indicate broader suspension issues beyond the airbag system that require professional diagnosis and repair.