One more time before I buy!

[tundratrd21w]

One more time before I buy!

What about Super Springs, are any of you using these.
Do most of you think that Air Bags are better? My concern
is that you need to keep air in the bags at all times. 10 lbs.
min. air pressure. What do you do if you’re at a camp
ground and the bags need a little air, or someone lets the
air out, or you pinch the line in some way. Can you still drive
the TV without air in them?

Alignment Center here in my home town insist that
Super Springs are superior to Air Bags. He put them on all
the County Ambulances and drivers say they drive better
with more control and response.

Compare the three: Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags Vs. Air Lift Air Bags
Vs. Super Springs ????

[fivecodys]

I chose the 'Air Lift' bags. (Firestones will work just as well)
They work great and are 'adjustable'. That's what sold me.
As far as adding air at the camp ground is concerned, you can use several different methods. I have a compressor that I use at home. I have a bicycle pump I keep in the storage compartment of the trailer.
You could get a little portable 12v pump from wally world.
It doesn't take much at all to pump these bad boys up. If you have the budget then you can opt for the on-board compressor.

Just my 2-cents worth
(which if added to $5.00 just might get you a gallon of gas)

Bill

[Gary_Tenison]

I think airbags a superior solution. If you use add a spring solution you do nothing to address load path issue. The springs still carry all the load on the bolt at the end of each spring. This bolt, and the top leaf that attached to it, is not rated for higher load and may snap.

Airbags add a new load path to share the load. the load is taken from the axle directly to the frame through the bag.

I used the firestone bags and they are extremely well made. See pics below.

I also bought a sweet little 40$ portable compressor from walmart which runs on batt, 12v from car or 115 from home. This thing is sweet and takes 10 seconds to fill the bags to 30 psig.

Every 1 psi takes 30 pounds of load through the bags instead of the springs. I run at 30 psi so I take 900 pounds off the springs and carry 600 to 700 on the springs for my 5th wheel.

After I trailer i drop them to 5psi. the air in the bag is just to keep them from pinching themselves. They retain their shape if 5 psi is left in them.

You can buy them on line for like 250 bucks and are very easy to install yourself. No need to drill any holes as the frame is made for them. However, since I didnt know that at the time I paid to have them installed and it was 490$ total. They work GREAT.

I explain the airbag stuff in another thread "springs or airbags" or something like that...

Also atached a pic of my sweet little compressor.

[fivecodys]

Originally Posted by Gary_Tenison

I think airbags a superior solution. If you use add a spring solution you do nothing to address load path issue. The springs still carry all the load on the bolt at the end of each spring. This bolt, and the top leaf that attached to it, is not rated for higher load and may snap.

Airbags add a new load path to share the load. the load is taken from the axle directly to the frame through the bag.

I used the firestone bags and they are extremely well made. See pics below.

I also bought a sweet little 40$ portable compressor from walmart which runs on batt, 12v from car or 115 from home. This thing is sweet and takes 10 seconds to fill the bags to 30 psig.

Every 1 psi takes 30 pounds of load through the bags instead of the springs. I run at 30 psi so I take 900 pounds off the springs and carry 600 to 700 on the springs for my 5th wheel.

After I trailer i drop them to 5psi. the air in the bag is just to keep them from pinching themselves. They retain their shape if 5 psi is left in them.

You can buy them on line for like 250 bucks and are very easy to install yourself. No need to drill any holes as the frame is made for them. However, since I didnt know that at the time I paid to have them installed and it was 490$ total. They work GREAT.

I explain the airbag stuff in another thread "springs or airbags" or something like that...

Also atached a pic of my sweet little compressor.

Hey Gary,
How much clearance do you have between your fiver and bed rails?
I net about 5-3/4".

Bill

[04DSGTUNDRA]

I say helper springs, i would hate to have an airbag pop at 70mph, I know its not likely, but still possible, and i doubt you would be able to control the truck/trailer if that happend. Helper springs may not do much besides keep the truck level, but if your within payload limits of the truck, the truck and helper springs will handle the load without problem. Oh, dont forget offroading, I dont think bags would hold up to any kind of offroading.

[FLWanderer]

Howdy,

I'd say air bags....use them and the instructions say only 5 lbs of
air if not towing. I looked at springs...but to stiff in normal driving.
I doubt if you'll lose control if air bag goes out....if you keep your
weights straight you'll do just fine.

I have 8+ inch clearance between rail and bottom of 5th wheel.

Good luck