Air ride hitches

My TrailAir has a mark on the shock that shows how much pressure to put in. It is at about the half stroke point of the shock. I can watch the bottom half of the hitch moving in the opposite direction of the lower half, so I know it is working. Pressure in the bag with my rig is right at 80PSI. Does the side of the bag feel rock hard? Yes. Is air a compressible gas? Yes again. I also have Firestone air bags on the rear axle of my truck. Going down the road, I can see the pressures bouncing all over the place with the gauge on my dash. The fact that air can be compressed is what makes these things work, period.

I use a Comfort Ride hitch and have a Mor/Ryde pinbox. I don't have to worry about airbags and we get a very smooth ride. Just another option.

http://www.comfortridehitch.com/

Correct ,they work awesome on light pins because they have enough volume for the weight ,however on bigger and heavier pins there is not enough room for a bigger bag/ volume of air needed.
Result they are too hard when they are pumped up to support the weight.
Thats why air hitches will have at least two, EACH of which is bigger then the single one that fits a standard pin box. If one small bag is enough why do air hitches have 2 or 3? Same weight to support.
Henry's E.T. has a version with a huge single bag ,looks like it is 18 - 20 " across if not more ,I have never seen one in the wild.

hone eagle wrote:
OK here is a long video by a hitch designer ,its long so FF to the 5;30 mark where he discussed air bags.

"they should be inflated to 50% of max "
I have talked to him in person and he explains it better ,but too much pressure (and the max on the typical bag is 100psi) they are just a vibration damper ,for max perfmorance or 'squish' they should be specced at 1/2 volume or pressure



henry s and the ET hitch

I haven't watched that video but couldn't agree more, I never run my Trailair pinbox at the recommended air pressure. Or at least where they they have that black line adjustment marker.

I always run it much less and have found that my small (26') 5th wheel rides 100x better with less air in the inflation bag. Of course you guys running larger rigs may find that your results may vary.

My point is don't be afraid to play around with the pressure, one psi doesn't fit all.

Ron W.

Trailair Triglide has 2 bags.

I run mine at about 65-70 lbs. It gives me the most movement without bottoming out or no compression, on my rig. Air pressure requirements will vary depending on the rig.

Our issues were chucking with our previous Trailair only. Almost unbearable. The combo made the ride much, much better.

OK here is a long video by a hitch designer ,its long so FF to the 5;30 mark where he discussed air bags.

"they should be inflated to 50% of max "
I have talked to him in person and he explains it better ,but too much pressure (and the max on the typical bag is 100psi) they are just a vibration damper ,for max perfmorance or 'squish' they should be specced at 1/2 volume or pressure



henry s and the ET hitch

hone eagle wrote:

christopherglenn wrote:
I have the trailair / triglide. With a 4000+ lb pin weight (empty toyhauler) I can see the trailer move up and down on train tracks, speed bumps, or California freeways. Whoever thinks Air pin boxes are a waste of money or ineffective on a heavy trailer is misinformed.

I said it and stand by my statement "at 80-90 psi they are essentially solid rubber".
kick your tires ,are they at 80psi?
dont hurt your toe

Comparing apples and oranges. An 80 psig tire does give when loaded with an appropriate load. To your toe, it is hard, but if you hit it with several hundred pounds, it does give.

A single air bag on an air ride pin box will have to be aired to a higher pressure than two larger bags on a an air ride hitch like a TS3. I run my TS3 at about 65 too 70 psig and slightly above the index mark as the trailer ides better there.

Ken

christopherglenn wrote:
I have the trailair / triglide. With a 4000+ lb pin weight (empty toyhauler) I can see the trailer move up and down on train tracks, speed bumps, or California freeways. Whoever thinks Air pin boxes are a waste of money or ineffective on a heavy trailer is misinformed.

I said it and stand by my statement "at 80-90 psi they are essentially solid rubber".
kick your tires ,are they at 80psi?
dont hurt your toe

I have a Hensley BD3 and a MorRyde Pin Box. Couldn't be happier. The BD3 was not cheap but IT WORKS.

I have the trailair / triglide. With a 4000+ lb pin weight (empty toyhauler) I can see the trailer move up and down on train tracks, speed bumps, or California freeways. Whoever thinks Air pin boxes are a waste of money or ineffective on a heavy trailer is misinformed.