Outer Limits 4x4 Board

chimpboy wrote:I have to admit that we use the raise/lower capabilities of the range rover EAS all the time. The height difference is enough to make getting in and out MUCH easier for Ana (who is pregnant) and also for the dog (jumping into the back, he is in the car a lot).

It's amazing how much easier a few inches of variable height can make things. So, I can see how it could be useful on a camper trailer.

Having said all that, you would need to factor in:

- it would cost a lot more to set up than coils
- it has more components and more complexity - not just air springs but a compressor, a tank, valves, and a control system. (on the other hand the compressor and tank are useful for heaps of other things too)
- air bags would probably give a harsher ride than coils

Just some thoughts.

-Scott- wrote: But I have done zero research, so I'm probably very wrong.

-Scott- wrote:I suspect that, with the right shape, you could achieve a higher spring rate when riding low (for load carrying around town) and a lower spring rate when riding high, for a softer, more supple suspension offroad.

ludacris wrote:Is very expensive. If cost is not an issue great idea. Also more expensive to up keep. I would stick with coils and just get an adjustable tow bar hitch.

LudaCris

SteelArt wrote:mmm airbags are a good idea, don't see any issues and I wouldn't bother with all that compressor stuff, tanks etc etc.

You simply plumb them to a valve on the bumper and fill them up at the servo / home / car compressor etc, they are small volume anyway so it can be done with a hand pump if you want.

SteelArt wrote:You also need to decide if you want them balanced or single. In a trailer I would go single so there are no issues with excessive roll.

-Scott- wrote:

SteelArt wrote:mmm airbags are a good idea, don't see any issues and I wouldn't bother with all that compressor stuff, tanks etc etc.

You simply plumb them to a valve on the bumper and fill them up at the servo / home / car compressor etc, they are small volume anyway so it can be done with a hand pump if you want.

A potential compromise may be on board tank, filled from servo - then use the tank to make minor adjustments as required.

SteelArt wrote:You also need to decide if you want them balanced or single. In a trailer I would go single so there are no issues with excessive roll.

In my case i would keep it simple. no levelling or solenoids, just an air tank plumbed into my cars air system, and individual fill points for the bags set manually.

With a few extra pneumatic switches you could have the best of both worlds - join the two to equalise pressures, then isolate for on-road roll stiffness. Open the connection for off-road articulation (or to encourage rolling on a side slope. ) With individual dump valves, you could isolate, and dump one to level the trailer.

If you wanted to get really fancy, you could use solenoids, and do it all from the cab. But that sounds like extra complication for little benefit.

-Scott- wrote:

SteelArt wrote:mmm airbags are a good idea, don't see any issues and I wouldn't bother with all that compressor stuff, tanks etc etc.

You simply plumb them to a valve on the bumper and fill them up at the servo / home / car compressor etc, they are small volume anyway so it can be done with a hand pump if you want.

A potential compromise may be on board tank, filled from servo - then use the tank to make minor adjustments as required.

SteelArt wrote:You also need to decide if you want them balanced or single. In a trailer I would go single so there are no issues with excessive roll.

With a few extra pneumatic switches you could have the best of both worlds - join the two to equalise pressures, then isolate for on-road roll stiffness. Open the connection for off-road articulation (or to encourage rolling on a side slope. ) With individual dump valves, you could isolate, and dump one to level the trailer.

If you wanted to get really fancy, you could use solenoids, and do it all from the cab. But that sounds like extra complication for little benefit.

rockcrawler31 wrote:In my case i would keep it simple. no levelling or solenoids, just an air tank plumbed into my cars air system, and individual fill points for the bags set manually.

Scott wrote: The valves don't need to be electrically actuated. Pneumatic switches are simple & easy.

muckute wrote:Another advantage of airbags in a camper is for leveling on uneven ground when setting up camp

stinger wrote:Revnkev, where did you get the switches from (part number would be great )

I have just rebuilt my camper trailer chassis and suspension using components from a Vehicle Components (a trailer parts mob in Brissy) the full indepentdent set up from these guys, brakes, hubs, cross member, springs, shocks etc, etc was about $1200 To go air bag add another $1000.

Personnally I like the idea for all the reasons above. I have airbags on the rear of my 2003 Disco and love them. I now have a few spare airbags so I am going to add them to the trailer with either just a trye valve or the pneumatic switches fed from a cheap compressor and an old air tank I have lying around.

my 2c, cheers

rockcrawler31 wrote:Ok. so i was bored at work and flicking through wheeling magazines looking for ideas for when i build a camper trailer. I saw an ad for full airbag suspension in 4wd's and i got to thinking.....

Is there any reason why an airbag couldn't be used in the place of coil springs in a camper trailer? I was already going to use coils and links so that i have some parts changeability with my cruiser towing it.

I already have the issue of a trailer that is too low and sits hitch high when being towed by my cruiser, you could just adjust the air in the airbag to suit the height of the towing vehicle. (I run two sets of coils in the cruiser - one for touring and one for playing). It also means you could adjust the air pressure for differing levels of load. You could lower the trailer down when settingup camping or trying to get my bike into the back.

The trailer is going to have a removable camping module so it will spend a lot of it's life as a 8x5 trailer hauling stuff around.

What are your thoughts?

I realise there is an issue with punctures, but a shield could be made up. Also on long trips most people carry spare springs for their CT's. A spare deflated airbag is smaller and lighter than a spare Leaf or coil spring.