Air suspension

[z06]

Anyone have air suspension on their trailer or truck. There seems to be one old tread and not much more info. Would like to know who manufactured your kit if you have one? Only one I have found so far is Trailer flex out of Canada. Trying to decide weather to use that or just build entire system myself. Surprised that it is not more popular considering poor quality of current suspension on trailers.

 

[csms]

I put firestone air bags on my truck over a year ago. works well to level truck and trailer out. does give a little extra bounce to truck without trailer.

 

[z06]

I put firestone air bags on my truck over a year ago. works well to level truck and trailer out. does give a little extra bounce to truck without trailer.

i have air bags on truck now but considering replacing rear suspension with all air for the self leveling under all load conditions.

 

[cookie]

Here are a couple of links to some articles that were in Trailer Life Magazine.
Trailer suspension [LINK].
Truck suspension [LINK].

Peace
Dave

 

[jnbhobe]

Porthole has Firestone air suspension on his truck but they quit making it. Kelermen is another manufacturer and has been around for a long time.

 

[jmgratz]

We have the Firestone air bags with the Air Lift wireless controller. Would not want to tow without them.

 

[fredwrichardson]

Anyone have air suspension on their trailer or truck. There seems to be one old tread and not much more info. Would like to know who manufactured your kit if you have one? Only one I have found so far is Trailer flex out of Canada. Trying to decide weather to use that or just build entire system myself. Surprised that it is not more popular considering poor quality of current suspension on trailers.

I just got but have not installed yet the Timbren DR3500CA Suspension Enhancement System for my RAM 3500. My truck and trailer are very level so do not need the adjustment. I just wanted to make sure the leaf springs do not sag as the trunk gets older hauling a 18,000 lbs trailer. Besides no air hoses the Timbren system does not effect the truck suspension when it is not hauling the RV. Check out the website.

 

[avvidclif]

I think the OP is asking about air suspension, not add on airbags or other suspensions aids. Look at a big rig's rear suspension. No springs, airbags only.

 

[z06]

I think the OP is asking about air suspension, not add on airbags or other suspensions aids. Look at a big rig's rear suspension. No springs, airbags only.

Correct. My research has turned up Auto Flex and Trailer Flex out of Canada. There is a sticky on here from 2011 with a Lippert install ,but no current info. Was curious if anyone had air suspension without leaf springs. Seems like a very good way to go.

 

[Terry H]

This is the thread that z06 is referencing. At the time I had the air suspension installation my previous trailer, Tailer-Flex was in the process of licensing Lippert to sell the air suspension. The system that was installed on my previous trailer was one of the first that Lippert manufactured, I believe the licensing agreement did do work out for either company. In that thread I listed 3 links to companies that were manufacturing air suspensions for towable Rv's.

On my current trailer I installed Mor-Ryde IS and IMO it provides a better ride that the air suspension system.

 

[z06]

This is the thread that z06 is referencing. At the time I had the air suspension installation my previous trailer, Tailer-Flex was in the process of licensing Lippert to sell the air suspension. The system that was installed on my previous trailer was one of the first that Lippert manufactured, I believe the licensing agreement did do work out for either company. In that thread I listed 3 links to companies that were manufacturing air suspensions for towable Rv's.

On my current trailer I installed Mor-Ryde IS and IMO it provides a better ride that the air suspension system.

Do you attribute the better ride to the independent wheel travel or difference between rubber springs and air bags?

 

[Terry H]

Do you attribute the better ride to the independent wheel travel or difference between rubber springs and air bags?

First I would say the independent wheel travel is the the number one reason and then my guess is the rubber springs do a better job of damping than the air springs. Both suspensions do have shocks.

 

[porthole]

Kelderman full air ride

Links Ultrafab full air ride

The Links system is what was on the Ram at the Classy Chassis booth at Goshen.

I have the ill-fated firestone system on my F-350.
It is similar to what is coming on the Ram trucks equipped with air ride.