air bag suspension

[del]

Would like thoughts on using this instead of springs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200825876223?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Thoughts on the suspension links and joints.

Would like to lower the trailer when parked for better access.

del

[Dale M.]

There was a thread about using air bags a year or two ago.... Yes it can be done, and its probably not that complicated...

You might try "search" feature to see if scribblings on air bags is still viable, or available...

The lowering idea while parked seem like a pretty good idea.... My vertically challenged wife would like that...

Here is what quick search for "air bag" turned up...

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=52076&p=957909&hilit=air+bag#p957909

Dale

[del]

bump

[48Rob]

Del,

I started one a year or so ago, but had to put it on hold until we get our daughter and grandchildren on their feet.

Hope to get back at it soon.

Rob

[mezmo]

Del,
Maybe this could be adapted for your situation -
[just don't do the swivel aspect.]

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/fabric ... ailer.html

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[48Rob]

Pretty inovative!
Thanks for posting that Norm.

[angib]

I must say those two-into-one arrangements for non-steering trailers worry me. There's a lot more going on than a regular receiver.

In this example it's probably a Class III receiver with a trailer carrying only 1500 lbs, so no problem, but it's not a design I would like to see copied. Drive the truck-trailer over an angled dip so the truck is rolling right and the trailer wants to roll left and there is suddenly a big torque applied to something that normally has a ball coupler, so zero torque.

[KCStudly]

I must say those two-into-one arrangements for non-steering trailers worry me.

+1, and as always, the correct engineering analysis. As soon as you spread that load path out to the corners the leverage skyrockets. And swivel casters just aren't intended for high speeds or the kind of shock loading seen in highway use.

There's a reason they stopped doing it this way, me thinks.

[Corwin C]

I must say those two-into-one arrangements for non-steering trailers worry me.

+1, and as always, the correct engineering analysis. As soon as you spread that load path out to the corners the leverage skyrockets. And swivel casters just aren't intended for high speeds or the kind of shock loading seen in highway use.

There's a reason they stopped doing it this way, me thinks.

Not only that, but when cornering, the casters are going to tend to tuck under rather than assist with the lateral load ... with that elongated center of gravity, it's placing severe torque on that hitch in the yaw axis during regular highway travel. I wonder if a ATV/UTV is heavy enough to make a pickup "switch ends" in less than ideal traction conditions? I believe this is the reason why the single wheel caster trailers never became popular. Crack the whip anyone? Perhaps a "braided" skid mark?

[48Rob]

Okay...

So it is a poor design, and not safe.
I still think it was innovative using off the shelf parts.



Rob

[KCStudly]

Innovative like those early pioneers trying to fly that crashed and burned off of the cliff: yes. I'll give you that.

[mezmo]

I posted that link for the wheel suspension - as a possible approach.

I agree with/on the objections to the double-hitch-into-one-receiver
set-up. I've always thought that dual hitch attachment was necessary
for the single wheel or swivel wheel type trailers. So why not use dual
receivers for them now-a-days, since bumper hitches are a thing of the
past ? Swivel wheels have their place. It's like anything - you just
need to apply some common sense to the situation at the minimum.

Here's some links for independent air suspension [most from 'down under'],
and maybe a couple other suspension approaches, that I came across:

http://www.airrideequipment.com/

http://www.bushtrackerforum.com/viewtop ... cfa90af582

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEPfCfeK8Ok

http://www.travelander.com.au/about-us/ ... uspension-
http://www.travelander.com.au/images/st ... Spring.pdf

http://www.trakmaster.com.au/Off-Road-C ... nsion.aspx

http://www.thetrailershop.com.au/SIMPLI ... 15894.html

http://www.gnschassis.com.au/products_suspension.html

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Bogo]

There's a reason they stopped doing it this way, me thinks.

I hate them on my hay rake. They will catch a grove, and try to steer the rest of the rake. At speed on the road they will vibrate all over the place unless I tighten down their vibration brakes allot. Yes, they have a disc brake on the swivel axis.

[Shadow Catcher]

Were I interested in a truly off road tear I would be using the AT trailer design. This is one of the best discussions on suspensions I have found http://www.adventuretrailers.com/suspension.html#rubber

[del]

Crazy me just wants to see pics of how people hooked up the suspension with airbags.