Roadmasters + Air Bags?

[Dane]

Anyone done the mod to the Air Lift bags to install over the Roadmasters? Thanks!

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[Archive]

Dane... what mod are you talking about? When I tried the roadmasters, it looked impossible to mount air bags in conjunction with them due to the horizontal spring.

I will not go back to the roadmasters, but now you have me curious!

 

[Andy Perreault]

I know of a guy in SoCal named Jerry Stiles who has both airbags and Roadmasters. He hauls around a big slide in camper. He lives in the Camarillo/Oxnard area. Mr. Bob knows him well, I bet if you called Mr. Bob (Bob Conner), he could put you in touch with Jerry. Jerry's not on the net, as far as I know. I believe Mr. Bob helped Jerry set up this combination.
Andy

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Originally posted by Dane:
Anyone done the mod to the Air Lift bags to install over the Roadmasters? Thanks!

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Dane, I have just finished the installation of my Firestone Airbags complete with the Roadmaster XX suspension upgrade set-up from Mr. Bob. Yes, it's worthwhile, it can be done. see picture below.....

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The airbags are there purely for suspension levelling left to right and front to back, as I have a fairly heavy slide-in Lance 130 series camper.


Actually, I'm now in the process of writing it all up and with the help of some supporting pictures, I was going to submit it to the TDR for consideration in either the magazine or the website... . having seen previous contributions from other TDR members, the standard seems pretty high, so in the best tradition of the TDR, it'll take me a little while longer to put it all together. If you have some specific questions in the meantime, however, I might be able to answer them though.....


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JMc


2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, Camper Special & Trailer Tow Groups , Sliding Rear Window, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X UTR Bedliner & underseal, Grover Airhorns, Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch, Roadmaster XX, in planning stages... . Gauges, Mag-Hytec, Exhaust Brake, Psychotty Air, 4" exhaust, Injectors, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, , Bill K. VB & TC.

[This message has been edited by JohnMcIntyre (edited 12-20-2000). ]

 

[Dane]

Thanks guys,
I checked closer and it looks easy to do. Only difference is one side of the air bag base plate must now sit on top of the plate that anchors the Roadmasters at the axle. It's going to cock the air bag very slightly, but not enough to be a problem I hope, so I'm not going to modify the plate. I did cut the air bag U bolts shorter when I first installed them (and subsequently uninstalled when I installed the Roadmasters) but I think I left enough extra to make up for the thickness of the Roadmaster anchor plate. I'm heading for Baja Sat morning and will be doing 1000 black top miles and about 30 miles of semi serious off road trails all carrying about 1800 lbs so I'll be back with some "Tested Baja Tough" data.

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[QRTRHRS]

JohnMcIntyre,

Nice truck John. Have you hauled your camper since setting up the airbags/roadmasters? How is the ride empty? Perhaps you saw Rob Hanson's comments concerning sway with the roadmasters and the heavy camper on the truck.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS:
Have you hauled your camper since setting up the airbags/roadmasters? How is the ride empty?

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The ride "empty" has improved noticeably following the Roadmaster XX installation. The Firestone airbags were absolutely neccessary to get the truck level when loaded with a "borrowed" Lance 1140 camper from the dealer for some pre- and post-analysis over a couple of hundred miles. (The 1130 and 1140 campers are fairly similar on the outside but have different internal layouts. )

On the basis of my limited experience so far with this configuration, I would say that the set-up works for me and I am very pleased #ad
with it.

I'm not returning to the USA until the middle of March next year when I'll be on an extended trip coast to coast including a short visit to Canada, before returning with the truck and camper to Europe. When that trip's over, I'll submit an article for consideration by the TDR Product Reviews section.

JMc