Trailair Life Expectancy

[PaintyLiz]

We are full-time in a 2008 Fun Finder X 198FBR. On our last trip, the trailer seemed to ride a lot rougher than previously. However, we did just install air-bags on the truck (2014 Ford F150 V-8) and we had them set to 20 lbs, which I think was too much (there is some marital friction on this subject) Anyway, we reduced it to 5 lbs and it didn't seem to make any difference. Sitting here outside in the humid Corpus Christi air, I noticed the "Trailair" sticker on the side of the trailer. What is the life expectancy of the Trailair system? Is this possibly one explanation for a rougher ride? or is the stiffer ride of the truck just being transferred to the trailer? Or were the roads just rougher? We always drive on rough roads .... so that may not be an issue, but we were going 65 at the time LOL

Thanks for any input!

Liz

 

[Dakota 1120]

The amount of air in the air bags will make a difference over 'stock' suspension.
I put a set of "Timbren" bumpers in a previously owned Ram 1500 for ONE trip and the ride was horrible. It did eliminate the slight bit of sag i the back of the pickup but not enough to make up for the bone jarring ride so removed them.
Not familiar with the "trailair" system so can't comment on that.

 

[LJAZ]

I would suspect the air bags you installed since the difference in ride happened immediately after that.

The trail air system was the lippert brand of equilizer for dual axle trailers it has rubber bushings to absorb some of the road shock so the trailer rides smoother with less bumping and chucking. It is an upgrade from simply mounting each leaf spring to a solid bracket mounted to the frame. Could it wear out? Sure the bushings are rubber so subject to wear & tear over time. If you look at the point where the leaf springs for each axle attach in the center you'll see it. If the bushings have deteriorated you should be able to see it.

 

[PaintyLiz]

I would suspect the air bags you installed since the difference in ride happened immediately after that.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking too. However it didn't seem to make any difference when we decreased the inflation, but we weren't on exactly the same road so maybe it was just a really rough road. Actually all the roads were really rough lol. My husband thinks the more we pump up the bags the better the trailer will ride. I think it's the opposite for our little fun finder. The larger trailer we need the bags because the truck's back end sags. We hadn't pulled the trailer in almost 2 years so I didn't know if possibly something had deteriorated over that time though. It is 12 years old now.

Liz

 

[profdant139]

I popped two sets of bags before going with Sumo Springs. Much better.