Forum Discussion

brain's avatar
brain
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016

Kelderman Air Ride

In 2006, newbie TC and diesel owner me get our TC and went with Firestone air bags to help with the large TC sag. That set of posts is long gone from here, but most who have been around a while saw the gory details. I was so scared of bags at that point.

So, after the first trip, we yanked the now ruined bags, and put on Timbrens (Extreme Service option, very heavy duty)

They were awesome.

About 2010/11, the unit squatted a bit when loaded, so I added Hellwig Big Wig Helper springs, the ones that mount over the helper springs and have a hump in teh spring:

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/load-control/big-wig-helper-spring/

Those helped a lot, but the truck rides pretty rough, and we're getting older, so I decided it is time for major changes.

I always wanted to do a Kelderman Air Ride, but could not justify the cost and was leery of bags back in 2006. However, enough time has passed, I realize Kelderman is not a set of cheap bags, so I am putting the entire F350 DRW LB CC on air next week.

I live in IA, and Oskaloosa is just 1.5 hr away, so the Kelderman shop is going to do the conversion. Somehow, that seems impressive.

I see a few folks have Kelderman. Any thoughts? Anything I should tell the team as they start to install?

Jim
Truck Campers
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2016
    Let us know how you like it. I am about to install rear air ride on my '15, though not Kelderman. I may do the front eventually too, depending on how it rides with just the rear.
  • Steve_in_29's avatar
    Steve_in_29
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2016
    OP, you might want to do some checking first. I seem to remember there being some issues with Kelderman on the Truck Forums. Perhaps things have improved but better safe then sorry.
  • brain's avatar
    brain
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2016
    I searched all the threads but found nothing. Any search terms that might help?
  • Steve_in_29's avatar
    Steve_in_29
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    brain wrote:
    I searched all the threads but found nothing. Any search terms that might help?
    Sorry I didn't mean on RV.net. Try google and see what pops.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jun 26, 2016
    We have air ride in our 12 years old Mercedes wagon and it is superior suspension. On sedans the computer lowers the car when speed goes above 80 mph. COOL, safe and save fuel money.
    But that comes with price. Compressor wear out, rubber sleeves age, valves get stuck (big issue in freezing weather).
    But than on commercial vehicles the system work for 20 years with no big expenses. I think some air bags on my conversions were close to 30 years old.
    Isn't Dodge making air suspension as an option?
    Good luck with the project. Looking at the pictures -Kelderman is using commercial air bags, so how good is compressor?
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    I don't know if the posts were saved in the truck camper university section of the forum, or maybe somewhere in the tow vehicles section, but there was a member of the forum here who built his own air ride suspension on his pickup and there was quite a discussion about it. He built it for both the front and the rear. I think there was also a big revision he did to one end of the truck later on, or maybe he did it to a another truck after the first one, I can't remember. Anyways, there was much discussion on the forum about it. Sorry I can't remember the member's name.
  • brain's avatar
    brain
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    Steve_in_29 wrote:
    brain wrote:
    I searched all the threads but found nothing. Any search terms that might help?
    Sorry I didn't mean on RV.net. Try google and see what pops.


    Maybe this:

    http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17152344/print/true.cfm

    THat's a new Dodge, and it looks like they still had springs, so maybe the OP had a 2 stage system.
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    Dodge is offering air suspension options on their 3/4 ton (replacing the coil springs) and an "air assisted" on their 1T which is essentially factory mounted airbag assists for the springs (like aftermarket).

    I did extensive research into this looking for a system for my F350. There have been some complaints about the Kelderman breaking links in older installations, but a lot of people seem pretty happy with them. They mainly retrofit chassis cabs though, and some 4WD pickups. Much harder to fit the needed pieces in a 2WD pickup, ride height is lower and frame is wider. On chassis cabs, there are a lot of choices due to the ambulance industry. Pickups your choices are much more limited. There are a few who have home built successful conversions, but it is not for the beginner - lots of fabrication and lots of ways to go wrong. Many of the DIY kits are really intended for kids off roading, not for camper hauling.

    Also worth noting that Kelderman sells two systems, a true 4 link and an air assist, the latter floats the back shackle of the springs on air when the load is low - cheaper, but less than full air.
  • brain's avatar
    brain
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    I am planning the 4 link on the rear. Kelderman does not offer a stock height 4 link fro the front so I am planning the 2 stage on the front

    i appreciate all of the thoughts. From research, it appears people are happy except the one guy with the 3500 dodge. I think I can live with that. I am reducing my risk by having leader man do the install and if there are any issues I'm just 90 miles away to drop it off and have them deal with the issue. I've got a big camper Okanagan 117DBL, so it should be a good test.
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    What truck? 4WD or 2WD?

    I thought they did all the newer ones, 4WD only, front full air. They don't make anything for mine, 2WD.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025