Add air bags or air shocks to level trailer???

[Rbertalotto]

Has anyone added air bags or air shocks to their travel trailer simply for leveling when in camp. Not for additional weight.

Seems like it would be ideal.....

[Rbertalotto]

BTW...Talking about projects that we REALLy don't need. How about a winch to assist the raising of the loading ramp on my toy hauler. Did this project last night and finished it this AM.

Wrote an article about it on my web site:

http://rvbprecision.com/rv-projects/toy-hauler-ramp-lift-assist.html

And here is a video of it in operation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDPbi9n83s&feature=youtu.be

Ah...My back feels better all ready!

[Rbertalotto]

Bleed down?...I have air bags in my truck and they have been there for a few years and there is no bleed down.....Push button, raise rear of truck...Same for the trailer...push button....level side to side....Easy Peasy!

[Golfcart]

Its definitely an interesting idea. But to me it doesnt seem very practical.

Personally I dont care how smooth the trailer rides going down the road since noone ever rides back there while driving. The stock suspension on it seems to do its job well enough.. As for leveling it at a campsite, unless you take great care of your seals, you will always have bleed down issues with it. and boards work just as well at a fraction of the cost lol

[hohenwald48]

Rbertalotto wrote:

Seems like a big fix for a non-problem to me.

Since when does a project have anything to do with a problem. I like projects just because they are a project.:B

I guess you're just more efficient than me. I can't seem to get around to doing all the things I "need" to do much less the things I "want" to do. 🙂

Good luck on your project.

[dodge_guy]

Not worth it. boards under the tires are easier and more effective, and don't have the possibility of leaking down.

[rbpru]

Why guess, just do it and let us know how it works out.

[CavemanCharlie]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Walk over to any vehicle with air shocks
Step up on bumper and see how much bounce you get


Same thing would happen with a trailer as you walk around inside.....boing boing boing

Not the right application.

Not if you had shocks installed too. I have a Lincoln Mark VII that has; from the factory; a air spring instead of coil springs in each corner. It is no more bouncy then a coil spring car. There is a 12 volt pump under the hood, a air dryer, a sensor for ride height at each corner, a valve built into the spring, and a computer in the trunk. It keeps the car level no matter how much weight I add to it.

To the OP. You can still purchase the Lincoln Mark VII springs with the valve built in. They may be exactly what you are looking for. You could get rid of the leaf springs and add a air spring for each wheel. You would have to add a trailing arm to keep the axle in place and shocks but, with a little thought it could be done. There is a company that modifies this type of system for cars. That way the car can be lowered at a car show and then raised up for going down rough roads. A little internet searching should find the company.

[Chuck_thehammer]

I can see 4 air shocks, One mounted at each corner.. but lift range is limited... near the center will do little to LEVEL,, just lift ..


hydraulic rams.. that would work.. costly, heavy. but powerful.

air bags... flats come to mind from stones.

Have Fun with your project.

years ago on a small popup.. pulled by a motorcycle.. I was thinking of 4 battery powered screwdrivers to drive jack screws... and battery packs would be replaced with wires going to larger battery, and a single box holding all control switches.

fraction, heat, side loads.. project stopped after the first one was built.

and I was dealing with a 500 pound trailer/camper = popup.. made by Combi-Camp.

[Sandia_Man]

Go for it and let us know how it works out. I would be interested in the results. Anything that would simplify the set-up process and eliminate carrying extra wood or leveling blocks is a step in the right direction.

[Rbertalotto]

Seems like a big fix for a non-problem to me.

Since when does a project have anything to do with a problem. I like projects just because they are a project.:B

And as stated above. No more carrying around boards that get wet and nasty and need to be moved. No guessing on how many to put under the tires. No moving trailer back and forth. Quick and easy, even at a rest stop or truck stop.

Two ball valves, one for each side. Compressor is already installed.

Air Compressor Install in Travel Trailer

Beautiful!

[beemerphile1]

If you add air shocks, how much weight are the shock mounts designed to carry? If you extend the shock to raise a side of the RV you will be taking the weight off the suspension and putting it on the shock mounts.

A company used to sell air bags that went under the tires on the low side. The company has been out of business for a while but some on here made their own air bag levelers from salvage fire hose.

[93Cobra2771]

Fairly neat idea, subscribing to see how it turns out. Could be a complicated install. But would be pretty darn easy at campsite setup - pull in, walk over to the air valve, and air till level.

[hohenwald48]

Seems like a big fix for a non-problem to me.

[Rbertalotto]

What I'm thinking, is a single airbag, set up between each axle with some type of beam, suspended by springs, to retract the bags away from the axles while underway. But once at the site, air would force the beam down to the axles and level side to side.



I have airbags on the truck for when I was carrying a truck camper and they work great. Hard as a rock when inflated.I don't think there will be any movement and the stabilizers will remove any that remains.

I'm ordering a set of airbags today to try this out. Maybe a new business venture fro me!