Suspension

[A-Aron]

Anyone else running air springs over independent trailing arms? I've paired 2x2500lb air springs with rancho 9000 adjustable shocks.. exploring options for retrofitting coils in place of the airbag. Airbags run like a dream.. but considering long term reliability.. input appreciated!

 

[ArkansasDon]

when I was building my adventure trailer I though about air bags & independent trailing arms type suspension, what changed my decision was leaky or damage bags on the trail. I like the concept & it's advantages but I ended up idler axle with leaf springs & shocks.

 

[A-Aron]

when I was building my adventure trailer I though about air bags & independent trailing arms type suspension, what changed my decision was leaky or damage bags on the trail. I like the concept & it's advantages but I ended up idler axle with leaf springs & shocks.

I havn't had any issues, I have on board air on the trailer and in my rig that is plumbed back to the trailer to keep the bags in the appropriate pressure range. But that situation is always in the back of my head.. its pretty easy to carry an extra bag and extra air line, but I'm trying to determine if decrease in ride quality is worth the decrease in potential failure.. my suspension is all built on 5000lb load capability but i only run about 3000lbs fully loaded.

 

[ArkansasDon]

I run air bags on my GMC truck for years, but I feel it has it's limitations on offroading. The wife & I aren't extreme offroaders or rock climbers. I drive 2000 GMC Z71 1\2 ton Extended Cab stock 5.3 L w\ performance built 4L60E transmission, rear end ratio 3.73. suspension stock height w\Bilstein Shock Absorbers, 12,000lb winch with 75ft. 7\16" Master Pull synthetic winch rope & Factor 55 fairlead mounted on Warn Trans4mer Brush Guard w\ Winch Mount, Hellwig Air Bags w\interior control panel, tires 265/75R\16 Cooper Discovery A/T tires. I thought about adding air lines off the air tank under the frame but instead I use a portable air compressor unit: VIAIR 400P deflating & airing up the tires.

Daily driver gets us (the wife & I) were we need to go when pulling our adventure trailer.

 

[A-Aron]

I run air bags on my GMC truck for years, but I feel it has it's limitations on offroading. The wife & I aren't extreme offroaders or rock climbers. I drive 2000 GMC Z71 1\2 ton Extended Cab stock 5.3 L w\ performance built 4L60E transmission, rear end ratio 3.73. suspension stock height w\Bilstein Shock Absorbers, 12,000lb winch with 75ft. 7\16" Master Pull synthetic winch rope & Factor 55 fairlead mounted on Warn Trans4mer Brush Guard w\ Winch Mount, Hellwig Air Bags w\interior control panel, tires 265/75R\16 Cooper Discovery A/T tires. I thought about adding air lines off the air tank under the frame but instead I use a portable air compressor unit: VIAIR 400P deflating & airing up the tires.

Daily driver gets us (the wife & I) were we need to go when pulling our adventure trailer.

Sounds like a nice setup.. Winch bumper is in the design stages right now, but will start fabrication soon as I get my rock sliders finished and installed. I run an ARB CKMA12 in my rig and a Viair 325C with a 3 gallon tank in my trailer. Makes for a quick air up when I turn them both on and they're connected.. I can use either independent of the other so the trailer can be towed by my F-150 (daily driver) or someone elses rig if needed.. or I can run the airbags from my rig compressor and bypass the trailer compressor. I have matching pressure switches on each, works like a charm.