Air Bag Suspension

[CJ Johansson]

I've read various threads of people adding air bag suspensions to their trucks and I'd like to do it to my 2007 3500 Megacab dualie. But, I've got a few questions.



Now, I have this feature on my Peterbilt, it has their "air leaf" suspension, which is pretty much just airbags on a spring arm. The real great thing about this is, regardless of the weight on the truck, the truck stays level, etc. because there's a leveling valve on the frame with an arm to the axle housing.



So, that's basically what I want on the Dodge. Most of the kits call them helper springs, so I assume you leave the stock springs on and the air bags just compensate for extra weight. But, all the kits I've seen have either a switch/valve to fill the bags if you have onboard air, or tire valves for manual fill. In other words, it sounds like you manually adjust the pressure to set the vehicle level.



Has anyone put a leveling valve on these so the pressure is automatic? Is there any reason one wouldn't want to do this (i. e. , only have it manual)?



-cj

 

[JHardwick]

The guy who did my bags does class 8 trucks ... ... ... he mentioned doing that to my truck with the RideRites.



I guess it can be done.

 

[JFaulkner]

I've read various threads of people adding air bag suspensions to their trucks and I'd like to do it to my 2007 3500 Megacab dualie. But, I've got a few questions.



Now, I have this feature on my Peterbilt, it has their "air leaf" suspension, which is pretty much just airbags on a spring arm. The real great thing about this is, regardless of the weight on the truck, the truck stays level, etc. because there's a leveling valve on the frame with an arm to the axle housing.



So, that's basically what I want on the Dodge. Most of the kits call them helper springs, so I assume you leave the stock springs on and the air bags just compensate for extra weight. But, all the kits I've seen have either a switch/valve to fill the bags if you have onboard air, or tire valves for manual fill. In other words, it sounds like you manually adjust the pressure to set the vehicle level.



Has anyone put a leveling valve on these so the pressure is automatic? Is there any reason one wouldn't want to do this (i. e. , only have it manual)?



-cj

I have the RideRites with a leveling valve, air tank and compressor. Mine is completely automatic. A pressure switch turns the compressor on A standard Haldex valve keeps it level. Had it on for a couple of years and haven't had to touch it since. Here are some pics.

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I did away with my spare (wasn't the right size anyway) but you could use a smaller tank if you choose to keep yours. This is the only way to go in my opinion. Nothing to run inside the cab, no switches, no gauges, I have an endless air supply in case of a flat tire. The way I see it if this setup works flawlessly on millions of semi trucks/trailers why do I need something special on a pickup.



If you want to completely remove the springs there are a few companies that make kits to do this Kelderman is one. A bit pricey though but I'm sure they ride awesome.

 

[BGlidewell]

air rides have a leveling capability.

LevelPro: Air Ride Technologies - Ridetech.com

 

[JFaulkner]

air rides have a leveling capability.

LevelPro: Air Ride Technologies - Ridetech.com

I saw those, RideRite also makes an electronic leveling valve however I believe simpler is better. A regular mechanical air suspension leveling valve is around $50. 00 and the RideTech version is $1300:--)

 

[CJ Johansson]

I have the RideRites with a leveling valve, air tank and compressor. Mine is completely automatic. A pressure switch turns the compressor on A standard Haldex valve keeps it level. Had it on for a couple of years and haven't had to touch it since. Here are some pics.





I did away with my spare (wasn't the right size anyway) but you could use a smaller tank if you choose to keep yours. This is the only way to go in my opinion. Nothing to run inside the cab, no switches, no gauges, I have an endless air supply in case of a flat tire. The way I see it if this setup works flawlessly on millions of semi trucks/trailers why do I need something special on a pickup.



If you want to completely remove the springs there are a few companies that make kits to do this Kelderman is one. A bit pricey though but I'm sure they ride awesome.

Cool, this is exactly what I was looking for! I agree, it works great on my Class 8 trucks too, that's why I want it on the Dodge.



What air compressor did you use? It looks kind of small, fine for airbags and tires I suspect, I'd like to have capacity for an impact wrench too. I hate changing flats with a hand wrench...



The Kelderman system looks cool too, probably gives a nicer ride unloaded without the springs since you don't have big stiff springs supporting a light truck box. Any idea what they cost?



Now, if I could just get air ride seats (looks like National Seat has some and a mount made for newer Dodge Rams) and an air ride cab like my Pete...



-cj

 

[MSicotte]

If money isn't a factor, check this out Truck Air Suspension Systems for American Pickups from Talon . Its a complete system, but it ain't cheap, $3500. 00 I think.

 

[JHardwick]

What air compressor did you use? It looks kind of small, fine for airbags and tires I suspect, I'd like to have capacity for an impact wrench too. I hate changing flats with a hand wrench...

-cj

oooooooh, air tools take a lot of air!



I used the Command Air III, it's good enough for tires.

 

[HTownes]

Take a look at Kelderman air suspensions. I don't have one, but they look impressive. Kelderman Air Ride

 

[JFaulkner]

Cool, this is exactly what I was looking for! I agree, it works great on my Class 8 trucks too, that's why I want it on the Dodge.

What air compressor did you use? It looks kind of small, fine for airbags and tires I suspect, I'd like to have capacity for an impact wrench too. I hate changing flats with a hand wrench...

The Kelderman system looks cool too, probably gives a nicer ride unloaded without the springs since you don't have big stiff springs supporting a light truck box. Any idea what they cost?

Now, if I could just get air ride seats (looks like National Seat has some and a mount made for newer Dodge Rams) and an air ride cab like my Pete...

-cj

I believe the Kelderman kit is also around $3k or $4k for the rear (their page says "updated pricing coming soon!" so one can only assume the prices went up. )
My compressor is small (it's a Firestone) it takes a few minutes to fill that tank (5 gallon). I don't know of any 12v versions that would support an impact wrench. I'd tend to believe that if one was made it would cost so much you could pay someone else to change the tire. :-laf TruckSpring.com lists one called "ultimate duty" but it's $689. 00. There are engine driven compressors (belt) but I believe they're pretty pricey also. Here is a link to a page with instructions on how to convert an air conditioner compressor into an air compressor, however I don't know what kind of volume they'll pump. I could change a tire with mine if I had to. My pressure switch comes on at 100psi and off at 150psi, and my tank is large enough it may work in a pinch. Most of my parts came come my local semi trailer parts store. The tank was $30 and the valve was $50. The tank isn't exactly what I wanted but my Kenworth dealer wanted over $200 for an aluminum one. (didn't want the rust since I don't have an air dryer) but I can live with it for $170 less. :-laf The bags, pressure switch, and compressor came from http://www.truckspring.com/they're probably not the cheapest but they had all the parts I wanted.

 

[TAbbott]

While you can install an automatic leveling valve on your supplemental air suspension, remember that you will also need a "dump valve" if you want to enjoy all of the benefits the air bags can provide. For whatever it's worth, I think I'd rather just adjust the pressures manually from an in-cab controller. Sure makes it nice to keep your headlites pointed in the right direction when you're towing heavy. A touch of the button and your lights are right back down on the road where they belong. Also, if you do like I did on my Dodge, (lower the rear bed height by rearranging the spacers in the spring stack and then compensating for it with the air bags) it makes hitching and unhitching as well as leveling the fiver fore and aft a snap. You couldn't do those things very well with an automatic ride height setup.

 

[CJ Johansson]

Well, yes, a dump valve is really nice to have. My Pete has that, forgot to mention that. Great when hitching, just dump the suspension, back under the trailer, close the dump valve and let the truck lift the trailer a bit then back on in until the 5th wheel latches. Saves a lot of of cranking on the jack.

I think with a dump valve and leveling valve you'd have a pretty good setup, no need to touch a button to get your lights back down on the road.

This would not give you full control for leveling your 5er fore and aft though, that's a nice reason for the manual valve instead of the auto. Of course, you could do both, just more valves and plumbing.

I like the idea of rearranging the spacers. That might get you something closer to the Kelderman setup, not having those stiff springs trying to support nothing when empty.

-cj

 

[JFaulkner]

You can get leveling valves with a manual dump (air actuated) which is identical to the one on you Pete. Or another option is an electric solenoid valve like what is used on the rear axle of a spread axle semi trailer. I've always thought about adding one but never got around to it. However keep in mind as long as you still have the leaf springs the truck won't squat any lower than the springs will allow, like to back under the trailer. Also, any of the helper air bags (i. e. RideRite or AirLift) are WAY too small to support the entire load. I may in a few months remove the helper bags and install a larger set and make my own brackets. I have a lift axle on a flat bed trailer and the bags that Hendrickson use for that would be perfect replacements. They're just large enough to fit without many mods but quite a bit larger than the RideRite bags. The larger the bags the lower the pressure has to be to carry the same load, and with a WAY better ride.

 

[TAbbott]

JFaulkner said: "However keep in mind as long as you still have the leaf springs the truck won't squat any lower than the springs will allow, like to back under the trailer. Also, any of the helper air bags (i. e. RideRite or AirLift) are WAY too small to support the entire load. "



RE: the truck not squatting... . That was part of the reason for rearranging the spring spacers. My rear ride height is about 1. 5" lower in the rear with no air in the airsprings than it was before. I can dump the air and take all the pressure off the wheel. As for the bags being too small to support the entire load, mine seem capable of doing just that (Firestone Ride-Rites). With a heavy fiver (pin weight 3700 lbs. +/-) I normally run about 60-65 psi in the bags and enjoy a nearly full-air, level ride.



When dropping the trailer, I just push the button and air up to 100 psi before lowering the landing gear. I then put solid pressure on the gear, until the trailer just barely budges up, I then drop the air in the bags to 0 psi, and have about 1/16 th to 1/8th of an inch of clearance between the 5th wheel head and the pickup plate on the pin box. Then I pull the pin and pull out from under the trailer with no drama at all.



The opposite is also drama free. Drop bags from their normal unladen 5 - 10 psi to 0 psi, back under the trailer with next to no load on the plate, hook up, inflate bags to 45 psi or so, raise landing gear, bags are now at 60 - 65 psi or so just from the added weight of the trailer. It then usually requires minor adjustment of 5 psi or so either way once on the road to fine tune the ride height. Really easy, and again, drama free.



There is enough room, thanks to lowering the rear spring suspension, for the air suspension system to fully compensate for the tire deflection that occurs when adding or removing the trailer pin weight.



If it were me, I wouldn't do the auto leveling just because I think it would interfere with using the bags to their full advantage.

 

[ENafziger]

It is a little pricey, but you can run an impact with 12v compressors.

A nice gun like the Ingersoll-Rand Thunder Gun has an average air consumption of 5. 4 cfm.

You could plumb twin Viair 550C's, or twin Air Zeniths, and have pretty good capacity with a 5 gallon tank.

Or, the Oasis XD3000 is a 12V compressor that will run an air tool without a tank! It is a little expensive though, but there are options out there...

--Eric

 

[CJ Johansson]

Yeah, I've been looking at various options over the years. I've got a nice York AC pump I salvaged several years ago. I was planning to put that on my '98 using Kilby's onboard air setup, but he never made a kit for the 2dn gen. 12V. Anyway, that's mostly been turned into a ranch maintenance truck and I'm going to mount a generator/compressor on it's flatbed.

So, the York is now available for the new towing rig, and it looks like he has stuff for the newer Cummins Dodges. This with a decent tank should have enough air for a tool or two.

-cj

 

[big61fourby]

Link to engine drive compressor kit:

Kilby

Bracket kit also available separately:

Bracket kit

I have a york on my 61 Chevy--works pretty sweet...