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#1
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Air Spring experiences
I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to
level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. Thanks! David |
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#2
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"David Thomas" > wrote in message om... > I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to > level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm > mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags > over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any > rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). > > I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What > brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. > > Thanks! > > David Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately notdepress the springs overmuch. You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. rhys |
#3
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"David Thomas" > wrote in message om... > I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to > level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm > mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags > over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any > rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). > > I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What > brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. > > Thanks! > > David Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately notdepress the springs overmuch. You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. rhys |
#4
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"rnf2" > wrote in message >...
> "David Thomas" > wrote in message > om... > > I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to > > level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm > > mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags > > over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any > > rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). > > > > I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What > > brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. > > > > Thanks! > > > > David > > Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer > should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be > able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately > notdepress the springs overmuch. > > You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with > one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. > > rhys The 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camping trailer grosses at about 2000 lb (910 Kg) and has a optimal tongue weight of about 10 to 15% (200 to 250 lb or 90 to 114 Kg). Changing the tongue weight either direction outside this optimal range (I'm told) can cause trailer sway problems. Even without the trailer (i.e. just loaded for tent camping) this 4Runner squats noticably even though it has the original towing package (heavier coil spirings on the rear is one item in this package). David |
#5
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"rnf2" > wrote in message >...
> "David Thomas" > wrote in message > om... > > I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to > > level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm > > mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags > > over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any > > rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). > > > > I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What > > brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. > > > > Thanks! > > > > David > > Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer > should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be > able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately > notdepress the springs overmuch. > > You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with > one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. > > rhys The 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camping trailer grosses at about 2000 lb (910 Kg) and has a optimal tongue weight of about 10 to 15% (200 to 250 lb or 90 to 114 Kg). Changing the tongue weight either direction outside this optimal range (I'm told) can cause trailer sway problems. Even without the trailer (i.e. just loaded for tent camping) this 4Runner squats noticably even though it has the original towing package (heavier coil spirings on the rear is one item in this package). David |
#6
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On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 14:17:22 +1300, "rnf2" >
wrote: >:| >:|"David Thomas" > wrote in message e.com... >:|> I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to >:|> level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm >:|> mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags >:|> over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any >:|> rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). >:|> >:|> I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What >:|> brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. >:|> >:|> Thanks! >:|> >:|> David >:| >:|Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer >:|should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be >:|able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately >:|notdepress the springs overmuch. >:| >:|You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with >:|one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. >:| >:|rhys >:| I hate to disagree with you here, but a trailer *should* have 10% of the weight on the tongue (ball hitch) to maintain good stability and tracking. a trailer with 2 tons on it should have 400lbs on the tongue. pintle hitchs and 5thwheel/goosenecks can have significantly more weight on their tongues. -Bret |
#7
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On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 14:17:22 +1300, "rnf2" >
wrote: >:| >:|"David Thomas" > wrote in message e.com... >:|> I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to >:|> level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm >:|> mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags >:|> over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any >:|> rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). >:|> >:|> I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What >:|> brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. >:|> >:|> Thanks! >:|> >:|> David >:| >:|Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer >:|should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be >:|able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately >:|notdepress the springs overmuch. >:| >:|You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with >:|one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. >:| >:|rhys >:| I hate to disagree with you here, but a trailer *should* have 10% of the weight on the tongue (ball hitch) to maintain good stability and tracking. a trailer with 2 tons on it should have 400lbs on the tongue. pintle hitchs and 5thwheel/goosenecks can have significantly more weight on their tongues. -Bret |
#8
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"Bret Chase" > wrote in message news > On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 14:17:22 +1300, "rnf2" > > wrote: > > >:| > >:|"David Thomas" > wrote in message > e.com... > >:|> I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to > >:|> level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm > >:|> mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags > >:|> over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any > >:|> rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). > >:|> > >:|> I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What > >:|> brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. > >:|> > >:|> Thanks! > >:|> > >:|> David > >:| > >:|Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer > >:|should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be > >:|able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately > >:|notdepress the springs overmuch. > >:| > >:|You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with > >:|one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. > >:| > >:|rhys > >:| > > > I hate to disagree with you here, but a trailer *should* have 10% of > the weight on the tongue (ball hitch) to maintain good stability and > tracking. a trailer with 2 tons on it should have 400lbs on the > tongue. pintle hitchs and 5thwheel/goosenecks can have significantly > more weight on their tongues. > > -Bret Went and had a look at the LSTA site. "The load supported by the tow coupling should be about 10 percent of the trailer gross weight (30 - 40kg for the average household trailer). The trailer draw bar should be level or slightly nose down." I've never had a problem however towing the trailer over hills, tight curves, gravel roads and hairpin bends. and it stays square behind the tow vehicle without sway. It helps that the trailer has springs made for the weight and has shocls or dampers. Overly light springs or an undampened trailer would tend to sway a lot more. rhys |
#9
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"Bret Chase" > wrote in message news > On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 14:17:22 +1300, "rnf2" > > wrote: > > >:| > >:|"David Thomas" > wrote in message > e.com... > >:|> I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to > >:|> level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. I'm > >:|> mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags > >:|> over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any > >:|> rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). > >:|> > >:|> I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. What > >:|> brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. > >:|> > >:|> Thanks! > >:|> > >:|> David > >:| > >:|Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer > >:|should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should be > >:|able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should definately > >:|notdepress the springs overmuch. > >:| > >:|You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift with > >:|one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. > >:| > >:|rhys > >:| > > > I hate to disagree with you here, but a trailer *should* have 10% of > the weight on the tongue (ball hitch) to maintain good stability and > tracking. a trailer with 2 tons on it should have 400lbs on the > tongue. pintle hitchs and 5thwheel/goosenecks can have significantly > more weight on their tongues. > > -Bret Went and had a look at the LSTA site. "The load supported by the tow coupling should be about 10 percent of the trailer gross weight (30 - 40kg for the average household trailer). The trailer draw bar should be level or slightly nose down." I've never had a problem however towing the trailer over hills, tight curves, gravel roads and hairpin bends. and it stays square behind the tow vehicle without sway. It helps that the trailer has springs made for the weight and has shocls or dampers. Overly light springs or an undampened trailer would tend to sway a lot more. rhys |
#10
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On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 14:16:16 +1300, "rnf2" >
wrote: >:| >:|"Bret Chase" > wrote in message >:|news >:|> On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 14:17:22 +1300, "rnf2" > >:|> wrote: >:|> >:|> >:| >:|> >:|"David Thomas" > wrote in message >:|> e.com... >:|> >:|> I'm considering adding rear air springs to my '99 Toyota 4Runner to >:|> >:|> level the 4x4 when towing our 2003 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up camper. >:|I'm >:|> >:|> mainly concerned about the coil springs rubbing holes in the air bags >:|> >:|> over time. This is my wife's kid taxi so no plans for mudding or any >:|> >:|> rough off-road (although we do live down a 1/4 mile gravel drive). >:|> >:|> >:|> >:|> I'd like to hear from other's experiences with these air springs. >:|What >:|> >:|> brand they used, how long the bags last, that sort of thing. >:|> >:|> >:|> >:|> Thanks! >:|> >:|> >:|> >:|> David >:|> >:| >:|> >:|Why do you need to level it? A towed item such as a caravan or trailer >:|> >:|should be balanced to have about 20-50Kg on the towbar. IOW you should >:|be >:|> >:|able to lift it comfortablly without straining, and it should >:|definately >:|> >:|notdepress the springs overmuch. >:|> >:| >:|> >:|You should be able to pack the camper proper, I've been able to lift >:|with >:|> >:|one hand the drawbar of trailers loaded with over 2 tons. >:|> >:| >:|> >:|rhys >:|> >:| >:|> >:|> >:|> I hate to disagree with you here, but a trailer *should* have 10% of >:|> the weight on the tongue (ball hitch) to maintain good stability and >:|> tracking. a trailer with 2 tons on it should have 400lbs on the >:|> tongue. pintle hitchs and 5thwheel/goosenecks can have significantly >:|> more weight on their tongues. >:|> >:|> -Bret >:| >:|Went and had a look at the LSTA site. >:| >:|"The load supported by the tow coupling should be about 10 percent of the >:|trailer gross weight (30 - 40kg for the average household trailer). The >:|trailer draw bar should be level or slightly nose down." >:| >:|I've never had a problem however towing the trailer over hills, tight >:|curves, gravel roads and hairpin bends. and it stays square behind the tow >:|vehicle without sway. >:| >:|It helps that the trailer has springs made for the weight and has shocls or >:|dampers. Overly light springs or an undampened trailer would tend to sway a >:|lot more. >:| >:|rhys >:| I personnally have never seen a trailer with shocks on them. 30-40Kg is fine for a trailer weighing in at 300-400kg (i.e. the average household tailer). tongue weight gets real important when you start talking about short trailers with 4000kg on them (a small skid steer loader for example). the local rental place LOVES to load them right up on the tongue of their trailer.... probably 40-50% trailer weight on the tongue... the trailer tows like crap... when I load the trailer with the loader more on the wheels it tows soooooooo much better. -Bret |
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