Putting some glide in the ride….

Question

Fellow Avionistas, Argo and I have been cruising around the west recently in pursuit of the wily trout. Annie was in the back yesterday as we rolled along and remarked on how bouncy and noisy it is back there. Let me ask your opinions about the bouncy part.

I have Airlift 5000s on the rear, but still with factory shocks. I usually run the Airlifts at 80 or 90 pounds. Argo weighs about 2500 pounds. Truck and all is 7700. I feel he handles pretty well. Some lean on curves but nothing alarming or unusual. He feels solid.
My question is how have you maximized the comfort in your suspension? Smoothing out the bumps and lurches on uneven roads.

As always, thanks for your opinions.

How about Muley Point in ‘22?

Dick

morsnow · Answer

What truck do you have? Each brand has their own suggestions for better ride or carrying characteristics.

On my GMC 2500, lower StableLoads were the best investment. A big Wig Sway Bar really helped with side to side sway and driving in strong sidewinds. Finally Timbrens helped while trailering as they don't touch or just barely touch under normal camper load. Air bags can/will add bounce if inflated enough to raise your truck off the suspension load. They are probably causing what your wife is feeling.

hms_beagle · Answer

Good aftermarket shocks can help, but the only way to substantially affect the ride is to swap out the springs for air suspension.

Air bag assists in some cases make the ride worse, as due to the very limited height of the bag it makes the effective spring rate stiffer.

grit_dog · Answer

So you have an unspecified half ton truck hauling a 2500lb TC.
Have to be if your truck only weighs 5200lbs. Or maybe it’s a classic 3/4ton….or your weights are off. Or you me at truck weighs 7700…..

Anyways 80-90psi in 5000psi bags is 4000-4500lbs of “support” or lifting force.
Numbers don’t add up, or you have the back of the truck jacked up with the bags taking all the weight plus some.

So aside from that part making absolutely no sense. Your 1 year to 50 year old shocks (since we don’t know the truck) could be shot. Although shocks do little to nothing to control lean or body roll. They only control the rebound of it.
Sway bar will help control lean/body roll.

mkirsch · Answer

Normally people don't ride in the camper, so ride quality back there is not a concern.

But it sounds like you've got your rear end propped up to the point where there is no "give" to deal with a serious overloaded condition.

anev942 · Answer

You might consider researching/adding 'ping' tanks to your air system. Older thread that motivated me 10 years ago. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25534281.cfm
They increase the compressible volume without affecting the support. Though I've never been in camper, on the road driving, night & day difference in response to road conditions.

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Putting some glide in the ride….

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