Ride

[markowwes]

Have read many posts about how to make the truck ride better loaded and or unloaded, how to make the truck ride level, how to keep the truck from swaying, most include: better shocks, more springs, better and or bigger tires and rims, air bag helpers, rubber block spacers and all sorts of gadgets to hang on your springs. Has anyone gone as far as ditching the whole coil spring and leaf spring suspension and gone total air ride? Two systems come to mind “Kelderman” and “Link” any comments, suggestions or reviews ?

Happy Camping
Wes

[jimh406]

I suppose there is someone here with a rig that can hold up to what an Earthroamer can. I don't think it's me though. I could be wrong, but a 400K rig probably has a pretty good suspension even if it is on air. 🙂

[Kayteg1]

Our garbage trucks ride on air.
All luxury cars of last decade ride on air, or at least have the option.
Give it another decade, or 2 and trucks will catch up with technology.
Have to admit that wife wagon on 18" wheels gives nice ride thanks to air suspension. Would not go other way.
I will not even mention that full air suspension on cars will automatically lower the car at high speeds for better handling.

[ticki2]

Reality Check wrote:



I think part of the repetitive misinformation is an ongoing comparison between toy air bags and complete air suspension systems. They are not in the same league.

That is the key right there . Most of the discussion is about the toy air bags and not necessarily misinformation . As you mentioned , most of the heavy trucks that need to go off pavement generally do not have air suspension .

[bobndot]

If anyone is interested in seeing how its done and what is involved, this site shows many pics of the installations of 2 air systems.
I added extra leafs on my truck and the lower cost was the basis of my decision. Im not saying my choice was better, just less expensive .

http://www.mrtruck.net/kelderman.htm

[Kayteg1]

Here we go again.
Give it a moment and someone will say that riding on inflated tires is too risky ad we should buy solids.
I would be excited about air ride on my F350 as the empty ride is terrible, but I am scared about the cost.
Wife wagon has air bags in the rear, but they have about 10 years life expectancy and replacement makes nice figure.
I heard 1/2 the way option >>> install air HELPER bags that have 5000 lb capacity and remove a leaf or 2.
With compressor on board and rear view camera you can lower the truck, back up under the trailer hitch, pump the air and only get out of the cabin for securing the pins and plugs.

[Reality_Check]

cewillis wrote:

Buzzcut1 wrote:
the nice thing about leafs and coil springs is that they cannot spring a leak, go flat, and leave you stranded in the boonies. yes you can break metal if you really abuse your rig but it is rare ( I have done it) but its much easir to rip an air line or bag ( done that too).

Absolutely right.

Absolutely hogwash..

Other than construction trucks (concrete mixers, dump trucks, etc) most all heavy rigs are air. I dare to ask, when's the last time you saw them littered all over the road because they blew a bag? BTW, truck still moves with a blown bag...just rides really rough. Can't say the same with broken leaf springs. Chances are, break a spring and the axle hangs bass ackwards, and you no move no more.

I think part of the repetitive misinformation is an ongoing comparison between toy air bags and complete air suspension systems. They are not in the same league.

Familiar with Link... love it. Hundred reasons to switch, only one not to. Money.

[cewillis]

Buzzcut1 wrote:
the nice thing about leafs and coil springs is that they cannot spring a leak, go flat, and leave you stranded in the boonies. yes you can break metal if you really abuse your rig but it is rare ( I have done it) but its much easir to rip an air line or bag ( done that too).

Absolutely right.

[Buzzcut1]

the nice thing about leafs and coil springs is that they cannot spring a leak, go flat, and leave you stranded in the boonies. yes you can break metal if you really abuse your rig but it is rare ( I have done it) but its much easir to rip an air line or bag ( done that too).

[jimh406]

Earthroamer changes their suspensions to all air and those are built on Ford truck suspensions. They talk about their suspension a bit in their youtube videos.