Possible long travel air bags and managable ride?

[Nitromethane43]

After having the standard air helper bags and being quite dussapointed in the ride loaded and unloaded, I was looking at some alternatives to the double convoluted bags. In the heavy duty truck world the options all come with a huge increase in physical size plus they are rated at very high loads.

The other day I was thinking about trying so automotive options. It seemed the BMW air bags would be easy to Mount and have a rear axle rating of over 3000 lbs with the bags mounted inboard on an a-arm suspension so I would guess they would have a minimum of 2000 lb rating per bag.

They seem to be an easy retrofit on a standard air helper setup, just wondering what are of your thoughts on this. The vehicle is a dodge truck with a Lance camper and weight on the rear axle prior to modifications was 5800 lbs.

 

[Mike W.]

What kind of vehicle are they going on
..lots of decent aftermarket kits available..

 

[Regcabguy]

I have Carli's Long travel airbags which mount inboard. I don't go fast so I don't know if they are applicable with my camper. I think the more outboard mounted Firestone's afforded me better stabilization with a fair amount of articulation.2007 Dodge 2500. I had one of the first sets installed at Carli's OC shop over 10 yrs ago. No issues.

 

[Nitromethane43]

Its a Dodge RAM, the only one that I know of is Carli, not saying their things are bad, but its $800 and inboard of the frame so there would be interference with my air tank and would get very tight with the extended fuel tank

 

[Mike W.]

I have Carli's Long travel airbags which mount inboard. I don't go fast so I don't know if they are applicable with my camper. I think the outboard mounted Firestone's afforded me better stabilization with a fair amount of articulation.2007 Dodge 2500

I have Firsestones on my F350. I've had excellent service with them. It took some tinkering to get the pressure correct...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

How much range/travel are you for?

 

[Nitromethane43]

It seems 8+ is possible with those bags, the factory 4wd drive spacers were removed to allow for some more up travel. I am also trying to get a better ride loaded and unloaded.



We will see if that works out or not, the BMW also used accumulator tanks, but there was just no room for those in the truck.

Its interesting to hear that the carli bags are not as good for large loads compared to the Firestone or air lift styles.

Landcruiserphil - What springs are you using, and how do you like them?

 

[Betarocker]

Your shocks need to be valved for the air ride. The leafs rebound with high energy, and air springs even more so. Really need some heavy rebound damping to get a good ride.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

It seems 8+ is possible with those bags, the factory 4wd drive spacers were removed to allow for some more up travel. I am also trying to get a better ride loaded and unloaded.

View attachment 581651

We will see if that works out or not, the BMW also used accumulator tanks, but there was just no room for those in the truck.

Its interesting to hear that the carli bags are not as good for large loads compared to the Firestone or air lift styles.

Landcruiserphil - What springs are you using, and how do you like them?

Factory PW
Truth be told Im new to the PW so Im more ears and learning.
With that much camper, what kind of trails do you run requiring lots of travel?

 

[b dkw1]

Your shocks need to be valved for the air ride. The leafs rebound with high energy, and air springs even more so. Really need some heavy rebound damping to get a good ride.

This is incorrect. The spring rate dictates the amount of rebound needed, not the type of spring. When you combine the rate of the leafs with the bags you will need a higher rate. It will always be a compromise as your required damping rate changes with how much air you are running.

Running bags attached to the axle is always a bad idea. Almost all rear suspension cycles more than the bags. That is a good way to screw up your bags. A detached bottom mount like what Daystar makes will solve a lot of problems. Airbags only really need to work from ride height to bump.

Air Bag Cradle Polyurethane Black | Daystar

www.daystarweb.com

 

[Regcabguy]

That seems like a lot of money for two hockey pucks.

 

[b dkw1]

That seems like a lot of money for two hockey pucks.

Not really, try making some for less.

Also cheaper than ripping a bag in half because your suspension drops out more than the bag will take.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Not really, try making some for less.

Also cheaper than ripping a bag in half because your suspension drops out more than the bag will take.

I would think if installed correctly per Air Lift a ripped bag would be included in the Lifetime Warranty yes?

 

[b dkw1]

I would think if installed correctly per Air Lift a ripped bag would be included in the Lifetime Warranty yes?

You would think that, but you would not be correct. All the bag set-ups I have seen have serious compromises. When you make something easy to install for a reasonable price, things get prioritized. A lot of them use the bag for the bumpstop. This is VERY hard on the bag, none of the bag manf. recommend this. Space is at a premium and usually dictates where something will fit rather than where it would work best.

Things to consider when you go bag shopping.

Jack the rear of the truck up and put stands under the frame. Let the axle drop all the way out. Measure the distance between the axle and the bump stop. Give it an extra 1/2" or so for bumpstop compression.

If the kit you are looking at doesn't have bags with more travel than this, keep looking unless it uses a detached bottom cup.

Any kit that removes the bumpstop and places the bag in it's place, keep looking.

When you install the brackets, make sure the collapsed height of the bag isn't going smaller than the remaining space when it bottoms out.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

You would think that, but you would not be correct. All the bag set-ups I have seen have serious compromises. When you make something easy to install for a reasonable price, things get prioritized. A lot of them use the bag for the bumpstop. This is VERY hard on the bag, none of the bag manf. recommend this. Space is at a premium and usually dictates where something will fit rather than where it would work best.

Things to consider when you go bag shopping.

Jack the rear of the truck up and put stands under the frame. Let the axle drop all the way out. Measure the distance between the axle and the bump stop. Give it an extra 1/2" or so for bumpstop compression.

If the kit you are looking at doesn't have bags with more travel than this, keep looking unless it uses a detached bottom cup.

Any kit that removes the bumpstop and places the bag in it's place, keep looking.

When you install the brackets, make sure the collapsed height of the bag isn't going smaller than the remaining space when it bottoms out.

I understand your points as I said before Im new. Not that Im in disbelief but I will reach to Airlift with some pictures and get some feedback. I also agree the set up is not close to ideal but I do get full shock travel. Currently in the build process and AIrLift fit the need until Im done with adding and rearranging weight.

What are you running or offering as an option to correct the problems noted in your post?