retrofit air bag suspension

[Colemancooler]

manufacturers website
http://www.timbren.com/axle-less1.htm

a short video
http://www.timbren.com/axle-less1.htm

there is a dealer in my home town, I am going to see what the price is, and I will let you know

[bdosborn]

Let me know the cost, I'm interested in this axle for an offroad trailer. (Don't tell my wife!)
Bruce

[OCD]

I don't believe it's an air bag, it appears to be a rubber spring. Similar to the suspension system used by the Austin Mini of the 1970's, this uses a block of rubber which becomes stiffer the more you compress it. Still a slick system and you may be able to retro-fit a small air bag with some modification. I was hoping it was an air bag too...

[Dale M.]

This link sort of tells me its a rubber spring....

http://www.timbren.com/aeon-rubber-springs.htm

Air Spring (bag) would be more practical, anyway that is my thinking....

IT would seem though exploring the "site" they also have air bag (spring) kits or parts...

http://www.timbren.com/suspensions.htm

Dale

[Colemancooler]

i was wondering about that, I will try to get there today and get the details

[aggie79]

Let me know the cost, I'm interested in this axle for an offroad trailer. (Don't tell my wife!)
Bruce

Same for me - not the offroad part, but the "don't tell my wife" part.

(I just finished my teardrop two weeks ago and I'm already planning my next project - a slouchy or standy.)

[aggie79]

i was wondering about that, I will try to get there today and get the details

If you would, could you ask them a couple of questions for me please.

The drawing you posted shows mounting/bolting the assembly through the side into the side rails. On their website, however, there are drawings that show a horizontal plat extending about 4" or so at the bottom of the vertical mounting plate. This horizontal plate also has holes - I'm assuming for bolts in it. My questions regard to whether or not a cross-member or a gusset off the main frame rail is required for this horizontal plate.

My guess is that the answer is "yes" to the cross-member or gusset and that it the horizontal plate of the suspension assemble needs to be bolted to that. The reason would be to keep from twisting the frame rails from suspension loading and to maintain the camber.

Take care,
Tom

[Colemancooler]

http://www.timbren.com/images/home/Axle-Less%20DIMENSIONS.pdf

they were stumped, they are going to call the factory and want me to call them back tomorrow

[greekspeedoman]

Nice find. I look forward to what you get from the manufacturer.

[doug hodder]

Looked into these before...as I recall.....they ain't cheap!

[Shadow Catcher]

Note that they also make an airbag suspension http://www.timbren.com/air-suspensions.htm
Just looking at it, I can see it would not be a big trick to make your own if you use a section of I beam the correct width and just carve out what you do not need. Use an old or new spring as the pivot arm and weld/bolt the axle stub.
I know that a couple of the off road trailer manufactures use an A arm for additional stability which would also not be too difficult See the AT design and a good discussion http://www.adventuretrailers.com/suspension.html#rubber
What I am working with my brother in law is a way to add air shocks to a Dexter or Flexride axle which should take care of the bounce and add height.

[Colemancooler]

$550 for a pair + shipping from east coast, I will build my own, i have found airbags for $100, and these only have a "rubber spring"

[Shadow Catcher]

I am discussing this with my brother in law as we are looking for a way to either modify an existing suspension i.e. Dexter/Flexride or come up with something totally different.
There are a number of inherent problems with this design. Bending moment on the beam that supports it and lack of lateral/side forces support and to have something that is height adjustable. One of the biggest considerations is what happens if there is a failure. Using a pure torsion bar (steel) with a gear type worm gear adjuster would mean that if the bar snaps all you do is have a drop not something falling off like a wheel.
I am still in favor of using the air shock in conjunction with an existing axle and a bolt on kit.

[tartosuc]

$550 for a pair + shipping from east coast, I will build my own, i have found airbags for $100, and these only have a "rubber spring"

where are you getting those airbags?

[Dale M.]

Air bags are all over the internet, hot rodders love'm for making super suspensions.... Look on E-bay or do general Google search...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=air+bags+suspension

Was another thread a while ago on airbags and suspension and best how to implement it... A little search may reveal where its hiding...

Found it...

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... t=air+bags

Dale