Adding an aftermarket air bag system
My Friend builds hot rods for a living. Actually rat rods. In all of his applications he uses air bags. Adjustable to have them slammed but can lift if needed. We talked about it for MH's. I told him ...
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There is a scientific answer to your question. Air is a spring, just like any other spring. It has a spring rate, just like any other spring. If you study air bags, and spring rates, you will discover something about factory air ride. The trick with a factory system is that they use reversing sleeve air bags, which have a variable spring rate. Basically, at the designed operating point, the air bag can move about 1 inch in either direction, for very little load change. Outside of that position, the spring rate dramatically increases, or decreases. So what the reversing sleeve gets you is a soft spring rate at the desired operating point, and a much stiffer spring rate outside that area.
Now here is your problem. The kits sold at CW and most after market kits are convoluted air bags, rather than reversing sleeve. This means for the most part, the spring rate is constant. Constant spring rate is what you already have in your steel springs. Not much benefit. Also, since you are adding another spring to your existing springs, you are actually increasing your spring rate, which will make your ride stiffer. Unless you are compensating for weak springs that are bottoming out, increasing the spring rate will not help your ride.
Now if you were going to remove leafs, and use reversing sleeves, then there would be potential to improve the ride.
I would look at Mor-ryde or torsialastic shackles by Sulastic. This way you are inserting a different spring rate in the middle of the travel, which will soften the ride.
Now here is your problem. The kits sold at CW and most after market kits are convoluted air bags, rather than reversing sleeve. This means for the most part, the spring rate is constant. Constant spring rate is what you already have in your steel springs. Not much benefit. Also, since you are adding another spring to your existing springs, you are actually increasing your spring rate, which will make your ride stiffer. Unless you are compensating for weak springs that are bottoming out, increasing the spring rate will not help your ride.
Now if you were going to remove leafs, and use reversing sleeves, then there would be potential to improve the ride.
I would look at Mor-ryde or torsialastic shackles by Sulastic. This way you are inserting a different spring rate in the middle of the travel, which will soften the ride.
