oly884

As some of you know, I'm going to be getting a camper soon. Along with that comes weight (around 700) loaded down.

I've got air shocks right now. See thread

They work well, and can support the camper. However, they don't provide much sway stability even when unlinked.

A rear swaybar with disconnects would work fine and let me keep the shocks. (see: cheaper)

However, I could get some nice shocks and Air bags. They'll support more weight, and offer much better sway stability, however they are more expensive.

What do you all think?

User 051420

What about some new leafs with added capacity, but no ride height increase? Will the camper be an always-on deal?

oly884

Always...maybe. Not sure as of yet.

Leafs would be a cost, and some. I'd go with deavers, but yeah, $$$$$.

bob200587

Couldn't you possibly do something like the 63" chevy leaf swap to give the extra payload? If not, I say go with Air bags. they seem to be the best bet.

quattro

Umm, why would you need to disconnect the rear sway when loaded? I must be missing something.

BajaRunner

Get some heavy duty AALs and some high valved bils.

On my dad's tundra we have just the airbags and it works well. Its a flip-top so its pretty light.

If I were to do a camper id def get the aals and then if you need to, try the air-bags...(they are sweet !)

oly884

Mine is a pop top, so it's light. I can't do AAL's, too much work and I don't want a horrid ride when the camper is off. (I speak from experience)

Quattro, when you go off road, you want the rear to articulate, a swaybar would prevent that, hence the disconnects.

oly884

Bringing this back up, after reading about the air bags, articulation isn't too smart for them, they don't like it.

SO.... looks like the air shocks (ie. keeping mine) and a rear swaybar is what needs to be done if I want to keep my rear end "off road functional"

Any thoughts?

oly884

cough

oly884

you guys are going to tell me that no one here has ever dealt with air bags and off road use?

rugerm44

You jack up the back end and let sag slowly and make sure the airbags are not the limiting factor.If they are you will have to install a limiting strap.I have them on an 02 and my 04.I dont rock climb or anything close to it and sofar I havent had any problems.They ride a whole lot better than an air shock.With the on board compressor you just hit the button and go!

oly884

True, but with my camper I plan on going off road a lot. So if anyone knows about airbags and off roading, I'd like to hear what you think.

Rugerm44, thanks for the imput, but i'm really looking for people who have used their airbags for off road use.

BTW I'm looking at the firestone airbags and the disclaimer says not to lift the vehicle by the frame because it will damage the air bags.

86Original

I've had Airlift Ridecontrols for 5-6 years. They've worked great carrying an extra load (pop-up trailer) You can easily soften them up. I've never bothered with on-board air.

The first set of bags I got were very prone to getting pulled out of the top mount due to their short length. Had to put a strap on. Airlift is now shipping longer bags for the same vintage, giving about 2" more articulation. I've replaced both of my "sleeves", and now the limiter is my Monroe (cheap) shocks.

One thing that I've done to extend travel with the bags is to use a longer bolt on the bottom of the "sleeve" where it mounts to the spring leaves. When the bag reaches it's extension limit, the bolt just slides through the slot about an inch or so in the lower mount to extend to the limit of the bags. This is "not recommeded practice" but it works for me. YMMV.