Kelderman or T. Rex ???

[DKlimas]

I am trying to decide which system will give us the best overall ride. I realize this will be a compromise at best.



The truck I want to optimise is a stock 03 4X4 Dually with a Bigfoot 10. 5 camper. GVW is about 11,800 plus or minus 500 pounds.

The goal is;

1- significantly improve the ride on old cracked and heaved concrete roads,

2- maintain or improve body roll,

3- allow for some long dirt/gravel road trips (Alaska, Baja, Canada - smooth ride - but not racing).



I have followed posts from many TDR members looking for someone who has experience with these requirements.

I have also followed some very interesting posts from Jeff (Kelderman) and Kent (T. Rex), both great products.



Have any of you "been-there-done-that?" If so, I'd like to listen to your experience.



Dave

 

[RVPILOT]

air ride

When my 96 3500 was new I purchased a Kelderman air ride, if you are familiar with this system it elimanates the springs and places firestone air bags where the rear spring bracket was thus the springs act as a trailing arm. I move many different trailers and the loads vary a lot so adjusting the ride and height became a must. If you are only going to have a load that will be the same I believe a less expensive air overloads mighr be o k. I now have 600,000 on the truck and the system have been trouble free. Stormy

 

[AKTRAPPER]

I'm installing a T-Rex Bilstien. will let you know how it does. Alaskan roads and the alcan are a good proving ground.

keep the shiny side up.

 

[DKlimas]

RVPILOT & AKTRAPPER,



Thanks for the feedback. AK I am most interested in hearing about your installation and ride...



Dave

 

[GBaines]

I have the T-Rex system on a heavy camper similar in weight to yours. It really improves ride of washboard, makes i much more comfortable and give yoou much better control. Helps with the freeway cracks, but you still feel them with a heavy rig (it greatly improves this with a lighter rig). I use my rig mainly in Baja, but plan to go to Alaska and the NW Territories this summer. I highly recommend the T-Rex system!

 

[ksadz]

Just ordered the T-Rex Bilstein yesterday after reading the threads and talking to Kent for a while. I'm really looking forward to it.



GBaines, which T-Rex system did you get? (King, Fox, Bilstein) Did it affect your towing in any way good or bad?

 

[DKlimas]

ksadz, did you also order the mini pack for the rear? I would be interested in hearing about the install and ride...



Dave

 

[randyn]

Hi Guys!



I'm in the same decision status, trying to figure out how to deal w/ camper on and camper off ride quality. First was thinking D25 coils for leveling and the Rancho adjustable shocks, now am leaning toward the T-Rex Bilstines, but still don't see a way these systems will work loaded and unloaded. Took truck & Outfitter camper on Colorado trails last summer. Was ok w/ camper on, but almost undriveable w/o !!! I started driving faster than normal on the rough areas to keep from shaking family all over the place. I guess what I'd like to see/have is a T-Rex w/ adjustable shocks... ... ... Any comments will be appreciated.



RandyN

 

[ksadz]

DKlimas,



No rear mini-pak. Or replacement front springs for that matter. I want to keep the same stock height and profile. Kent (from T-Rex) suggested that I keep the stock coils and springs and just get their shocks installed. He informed me that their replacement front coils are rated the same as the stock coils, just taller. I'll be giving up some clearance but you won't see me jumping any 6 foot dunes any time soon.



I use this truck as a daily commuter and tow a horse trailer, nothing really heavy like some of you guys. So my needs were to get a smooth ride on these SoCal freeways without affecting the towing characteristics at all. This setup will also give me good offroad washboard type performance under 30mph. I don't do too much of that but not bad to know.



BTW, I asked Kent what happens above 30mph and he said all the wheels fall off and the engine explodes. :-laf



He's a real nice guy and they know their stuff.



I'll post when I get it all in. I'm not too comfortable with that kind of job so I'm having them install it. Should take 2 hours.

 

[DJones]

Would like to here from some more people that has kelderman air ride on there trucks as i hot shot and don't think trex will help.

 

[geusterman]

Had Kelderman on 02... using the hitch change-out system. Big improvement in empty ride... front became noticeable because rear so much better. Axle wrap more pronounced. Liked being able to adjust when BigFoot on... maintain ride height. Ride nice and smooth as well with camper on. Going to T-Rex on new truck. George

 

[GiesJ]

I've got the T-rex King system with Mini Leaf pack and have seen no ill effects towing. I don't tow often an the most so far was only around 11,000#. There is a very very slight sag with that sort of weight but I did not have the system set up for towing heavy. I would think from your description the T-Rex system would be perfect but I know absolutely nothing about Kelderman.

Good luck