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Post Info TOPIC: Air bag suspension (tug)
Millar family


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Air bag suspension (tug)
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G'day,

Have been thinking about increasing the rear suspension with air bags. Has anyone had any experience with these?

 

Dry roads.

 

Garrick and Karen



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Garrick & Karen

Jan 2015...finally on the road!!
rockylizard


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Gday...

A good question ... there are many on here who have experience/knowledge about air bag suspension - ranging from a good idea through to "don't do it".

Perhaps to assist in getting some advice that would be pertinent to your particular tug and circumstance it would be good to give some details.

  • What vehicle is it ... year, model;
  • What is your usual 'payload' in the vehicle; and
  • What van do you have ... year, size, weight, ATM, ballweight.

That will focus the responses so you get more value out of the question .... hopefully.

cheers - John



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deverall11


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Good starting point rockylizard. Air bags don't work for everyone.
In the Pajero we had I fitted air bags to take some of the weight off the rear suspension. Worked a treat. With the Landcruiser now I did fit air bags and still tuning them in after 30K of towing. Bit more fiddly than on the Pajero.
Putting airbags in a vehicle that does not have coil springs in the rear again is a totally different ball game.
Larry

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justcruisin01


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Millar family wrote:

G'day,

Have been thinking about increasing the rear suspension with air bags. Has anyone had any experience with these?

 

Dry roads.

 

Garrick and Karen

 If you have leaf springs on a mid sized tug then dont do it. Fit suspension upgrade.



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Dav4Cris


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Basically, if you have coil spring suspension then go for it, if rear leaf springs then upgrade your springs.

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SnowT


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do a search on Airbags there have been a few topic's on it and the problem that pop up afterwards are not worth the pain and suffering you can be heading to..

There have already been some good suggestions put up..

Upgrade before you go airbag..

juergen

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Millar family


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Thank you for your quick replies.
Answers seem to be even for and against.
I have a Ford Territory '06 model with coil springs. Air bags would suffice for it. Van is a 16'Jayco Poptop with a 1700kg pay load (approx). This has leaf springs, (spring upgrade for them)?
Might do some more searching.

Thank you.

Dry roads.

Garrick and Karen

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Garrick & Karen

Jan 2015...finally on the road!!
deverall11


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Wouldn't touch the suspension on the van unless advised by a specialist or you feel it is worn. Poptop at 1700kg is well within the capabilities of the tug. Airbags will definately do the job.
You have a couple of options:
1) Polyairs at $300 or more plus fitment.
2) Firestone bags a bit cheaper
3) Firestone bags imported from US at a total of $170 delivered to you door. Obviously plus fitment.
Larry

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Bello


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G'day, I have had bags on two 4x4s, along with suspension upgrade.

Have been great, BUT do not pump them up with more than 30psi.

It has been known some people have pumped them up to 100psi or to maximum and have caused damage to the vehicle. They are ment to help, not to be very stiff and stop the springs working.

I would not use bags with leaf springs.

Good luck !!

The main thing is, Keep travelling.


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PeterD


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There is a few examples here showing why not to fit air bags.



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Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
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NSW Central Coast.

 
rockylizard


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PeterD wrote:

There is a few examples here showing why not to fit air bags.

Gday...

Lucky for the OP (Millar family) ... not a Ford Territory amongst them

 

cheers - John



-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 29th of December 2014 11:45:20 AM

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