Air Ride Suspension

[6speed]

Well I have decided that it is time for air ride on my 46' gooseneck living quarters car trailer. The trailer bounces so bad that it has broke my golf cart for the 3rd time. I can only imagine what it is doing to the trailer, equipment inside, my truck and I know what it is doing to me. I have made arrangements with Kelderman Mfg. , in Iowa for the installation. It is going to be rather pricey, but I am convinced this the only way to go. I already have the Cody Hitch and that made a dramatic improvement. Jeff at Kelderman said it will take 2 days to fab and install. I used to be an over the road operator and hated when I got the sprung trailers versus the air ride trailers. They ride so much better. So in about 2 weeks I will know.

 

[mymtnhauler]

Have you heard of or considered Dexter Air flex air suspension? Just a thought!

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I installed a Kelderman 4 link towing air suspension on the rear of my 04 dually. Great product, I am very happy with the ride and towing capability. . Keep us posted on how the install goes and more important how the ride changes. Good luck. .

 

[6speed]

I plan to talk to Jeff about the 4 link air ride, to see if it will fit and work with the B&W Turnover ball that appears to be in the way of how it mounts to the axle.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I would assume that the hitch will not be a problem if you have the install done in Jeffs shop.

 

[6speed]

Well after talking to Jeff at Kelderman's, I will not be able to use the 4 link system because I don't have 4WD. If I can't get on there with 2WD, guess I won't go. But with the Cody Hitch and his air ride for the trailer, should be a very smooth ride

 

[Gonzo 1066]

There is a very good reason that most semi trailers now are air ride equipped. .

 

[zzman]

I found that if my truck sags down enough to contact the over-springs, it is a very rough ride.

With the air bags on truck, it is supper smooth and no sagging.



Also another note I found, if one of the trailer tires becomes out-of-round or out of balance or even flat, it makes my truck bounce like the truck is the one out of whack.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I found that if my truck sags down enough to contact the over-springs, it is a very rough ride.

With the air bags on truck, it is supper smooth and no sagging.



Also another note I found, if one of the trailer tires becomes out-of-round or out of balance or even flat, it makes my truck bounce like the truck is the one out of whack.

We are actually talking about a true "Air Suspension" there are NO metal leaf springs on the rear of the truck. Just a 4 link and a large airbag to support the vehicle.

 

[DShore]

Air Ride Technologies in Jasper, IN and AirBaggit in Mesa, AZ both make 2WD air ride setups. I have Air Ride Technologies on my dually; works very well after I added larger diameter air bags (9” I believe). On-Board air with dual compressors and auto level control has been trouble free for me.

 

[6speed]

Well the Kelderman kit is on, and it rides like a dream. I see why he needed it in Iowa. Each axle was mounted differently. He showed me how each axle was carrying more or less load than the others. These are Alco axles. If I had Dexter axles things would have been different. Watched the entire construction project. Took about 2 1/2 days. They were very precise in their measurements, insuring all deminsions were perfect. Should have done this when I thought about it 2 years ago. Only issue I have is, when you put it in dump mode and turn the system off, it won't dump anymore and begins to fill the bags again. I haven't talked to them yet about it, but I am sure there will be a fix.