MORE...Leveling Travel Trailer with air bags

Seems to me you are opening a can o' worms.
I certainly wouldn't put a single bag in the center of the springs. MAYBE one at each axle, with a panhard bar on each axle, but what's the gain?

I'd think long and hard before tackling this. Lot of money for little results. It appears all you would be saving is running down 4 stabilizers, and I doubt you could get the bags hard enough to eliminate some bounce anyway.

IMO, unless you want to do it as a science project, I would say save all your old parts.

Just like this....it's a silly idea and will never catch on...:)
Seriously, for now I'll stick with blocks under the wheels.
But, go for it and let us know how it worked out..I'm interested.

If you are going thru all that work, why not use something designed for air bags Axle less trailer suspension

WNYBob wrote:
If you are going thru all that work, why not use something designed for air bags Axle less trailer suspension

That's a cool product, and replacing up to 7000lbs axle, impressive capacity.

I found eTrailer has a nice clear video...

clicky

You haven't really said, but I assume you want to level the trailer from side to side while parked, not while in motion. If that is the case, take a look at the fire hose solution. I've been thinking of building a couple of these.

Poke Here for Video

I saw the fire hose solution. But you are still carrying something and playing the "back it up a few more inches , honey".....

I want it totally self contained. Stop at a Walmart or Cabelas....Boom! Level....

I built a drop deck trailer a few years ago to haul machine tools and motorcycles. This used "Axle-less hubs" as I couldn't have an axle in the way. Worked out great. But for this project I want to keep it simple.





Airbag are incredibly hard when inflated to only 30 pounds. I would bet you have more "give" from the tires than the low volum airbags would give you. And I'd still be using stabilizer jacks to stop and jiggle.

Still not sure what direction I'm going to go. Still might go air shocks and be done with it!

I made a set of drive on airbags. Just drive on em, inflate to level side to side. Work really well. No bounce to em. And at most they have maybe 10-15psi

I know this isnt really what you're looking to do though.

Those "Under tire airbags" are what started the wheels turning in my head about some other, air operated, leveling system.

Quick drawing of what I'm proposing:

I don't see why the above wouldn't work. Panhard would be a positive location, and since we are talking about a minimal amount of travel at that location you wouldn't have to worry about the axle shift that occurs with a panhard through it's travel stroke.

My biggest concern would be while you are pulling the TT - if the bag were to start leaking down for any reason, then you could have big problems. Of course, plenty of over the road trucks use bags and have their own constant air supply.

Might be a good idea to go ahead and have a small on board air compressor such as from firestone or airlift so air pressure can be steady while on the road. Could even plumb in a tpms so you would be alerted of a pressure failure. Wireless unit like I have with my truck airbags would be perfect, as it's 12v and adjustable. Park, unhitch, then hit the button till you are level. Would need to think carefully about the height of the bag, as you need it to be fully adjustable. Measure weight of camper on each side, then spec the bag accordingly.

That's my biggest concern - lots of non standard parts that could leave you stranded on the side of the road. Unless you carried a spare of everything.

The bag setup like above would also smooth things out nicely with the TT going. Much better than the equaflex/ez flex equalizers that are out there now.

The drive on bags are a pretty neat setup too. But not nearly as crafty as what you are suggesting. most people wouldn't even notice your setup, but they certainly would see the drive on bags.

Keep us updated - would also be better to simply update this thread, as opposed to starting another thread. I like to see threads finished out.