air bag conversion on 5th wheel

[RThompson]

Anyone on this forum had experience with converting leaf spring trailer suspension to air bag suspension. Rather than pioneering a new way to do this I thought maybe someone had attempted it.

We have new trailer ordered with 6000 lb axles (4400 lb stock), the only way we can get air suspension is to buy complete suspenion kit after we take deliver of the trailer. $3500 for the kit.

My thinking now is to have the springs modified by a spring shop to have a full length tapered backup to the main leaf and deleting the remaining leafs. Then install air bags over each spring assembly. Someone has probably done something like this. I know it would'n't be fully air suspended but should have lots of advantages if I can make it work. Be nice to level the trailer side to side and fore and aft with an onboard compressor.

 

[RThompson]

No suspension modification experience on this forum?

 

[Dkevdog]

You might try posting this on IRV2 . I know I have seen some things in the past about air ride fifth wheels.



Kev

 

[SWC]

Kelderman

RThompson there is an airbag system for light trucks and trailers. For tandem axles with leaf spring suspensions the center hanger is modified and a bag is used. I personally do not have any experience with this system but it is interesting. There are some testimonials from users on their website.

Their website is keldermanmfg.com

Hope this helps.

Stan

 

[GLASMITHS]

Air Ride on a 5th wheel?

What are you trying to do? Is this for going down the road or setting up in a park? If you are talking setting up in a park, Camping World has something much better, and about the price you quoted.



I don't know what the benefit would be for traveling. For much less you could go to "Dexter Axle" and have rubber suspension as wlll as lifetime lubed bearing.



If you are talking leveling for the road, then something is wrong. It will come from the factory level. Watch how you load it.

 

[BPINE]

Try these guys and talk to Sunny tell him i sent you i am sure he can help you out http://www.trailair.com/ These are the guys that make the the air ride pin box and and the air ride suspension conversion.

 

[RThompson]

BPINE, SWC, Dkevdog thanks for the links.

Hoping to work out a methed of using existing axles and adding bags either at trunion or over the axle. Our new trailer has kitchen in rear so wanted to get the ride smoothed out a bit to keep things from being tossed around. Benefits of air bags would also help in leveling on site.

Will be taking deliver in 2 weeks, will have an opportunity then to do some measuring.

 

[Turbo Thom]

RThompson:

Kerderman does have a conversion for the fiver at the price you quoted installed at their factory. There is another co. named AirRide Techonologies They make air systems for trick applications and lowering vehiclesI called them about a system for the CTD. They asked me "what is a CTD. I ended the converson there. I'm going to check out the co BPine posted.



. . PThompson. .

 

[drees1]

Don't forget shock absorbers too. They will help the ride a lot.