Posted 2005-10-04 8:10 PM (#31326) Subject: Question on Air Ride trailers
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Texas
I am having a trailer built, and was wondering about air ride. I was told that is a great for the horses, but they do not pull that well. Does anyone have experience or know of anyone that has pulled an air ride trailer?
Posted 2005-10-05 7:28 AM (#31337 - in reply to #31326) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
My friend has a trailer (4H, mid tack, 13' LQ) with air ride. I helped her drive it from PA to FL last winter and we had 2 horses on it, plus LOTS of hay and equipment. It pulled great, no issues at all, but she does pull with an F450. They do require some maintenance though. If the bags don't inflate or hold air, you won't be hauling. I think you main decision depends on the kind of trailer you are getting and the kind of truck you have. I have virtually the same trailer as she has but no air ride. When I upgraded to my F450, I got Links air ride in the truck so that the LQ wouldn't bounce down the road. It seems to be pretty good. Nothing moves in the trailer.
Posted 2005-10-05 11:19 PM (#31347 - in reply to #31326) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
Expert
Posts: 2689
It depends on how much credibility the person who told you that "they do not pull that well" has with you, vs how much persons unknown to you have (-:
I'm a stranger to you...
I have an air ride 4-Star 4 horse head to head trailer with air ride.
It "pulls real well" behind a 1 ton duramax chevvy, whether empty, unBaLANcED, LOADED OR SOMEWHAT OVERLOADED.
Yes, it seems to be good for the horses, having done an 8 day 5300 mile round trip and several >2000 mile 4 days trips without any signs of road fatigue.
I have been told by HUMANS who have INSISTED on riding in it with their (sick) horses that the ride is very good, but I've also been told the same thing about my Jamco trailer on torque-flex axles. Maybe I just drive very smoothly when I have Human and equine cargo.
Having said all that, I probably wouldn't pay the current additional cost for it. Torque-flex is VERY GOOD, air ride is better, though I can't quantify by how much... not enough to pay that much (of MY) CA$H for.
I do mean CASH !, it isn't "just another few bux a month", I pay on delivery.
Posted 2005-10-06 8:28 AM (#31351 - in reply to #31326) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
Elite Veteran
Posts: 788 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Just a thought- Had a clinician who upgraded to about the same trailer, but new one had air ride. Same truck, same driver, same load. His MPG went from 10.3 to 11.5 on average over several 4000 mile trips. With the air ride, there seems to be less "jerk" on the truck when encountering pavement irregularities- thus possibly a more even powerflow which is more economical. Besides- they really pull sweet. Have pulled a very large slideout 4H on a 1 ton that ordinarily have been a real load, but with the air option it seemed to pull with much more ease. Not to mention less stress on the trailer box itself. Long-term durability.... But definitely more maintenance than Torflex axles.
RTSmith
Posted 2005-10-06 12:15 PM (#31364 - in reply to #31351) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Originally written by RTSmith on 2005-10-06 8:28 AM His MPG went from 10.3 to 11.5 on average over several 4000 mile trips. RTSmith
Someone want to explain this concept to me? Seems the weight being towed is still the weight being towed, friction on the tires being friction on the tires, and drag coficients being equal. Does vertical bouce have any mathmatical part in a physics equation of the power required to move an object?
Posted 2005-10-06 12:48 PM (#31365 - in reply to #31326) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
I would want to see the trailers sitting side by side....same nose configuration? I wouldn't make a big deal on the MPG difference....same fuel....weather...who knows maybe even the truck starting to break in? I do know with air bags it is like 4 more tires...(not that bad) but if you get a hole in one you might be stranded waiting for a replacement (keep a spare?). Some rigs the tires rub if you loose a bag. If it doesn't you can keep moving. I would ask them to let the air out each bag on one side and see if they do or don't rub.(I see you are ordering....maybe ask them) Technology.....has its ups and downs!
Posted 2005-10-06 2:57 PM (#31371 - in reply to #31364) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
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Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by barry on 2005-10-06 12:15 PM
Originally written by RTSmith on 2005-10-06 8:28 AM His MPG went from 10.3 to 11.5 on average over several 4000 mile trips. RTSmith
Someone want to explain this concept to me? Seems the weight being towed is still the weight being towed, friction on the tires being friction on the tires, and drag coficients being equal. Does vertical bouce have any mathmatical part in a physics equation of the power required to move an object?
yeah i can think of several reasons for the change in mpg, air ride is not on the list.
Posted 2005-10-06 4:32 PM (#31376 - in reply to #31371) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by chadsalt on 2005-10-06 2:57 PM
Originally written by barry on 2005-10-06 12:15 PM
Originally written by RTSmith on 2005-10-06 8:28 AM His MPG went from 10.3 to 11.5 on average over several 4000 mile trips. RTSmith
Someone want to explain this concept to me? Seems the weight being towed is still the weight being towed, friction on the tires being friction on the tires, and drag coficients being equal. Does vertical bouce have any mathmatical part in a physics equation of the power required to move an object?
yeah i can think of several reasons for the change in mpg, air ride is not on the list.
WAYyyy out in the hypothetical... I s'pose SOME suspension systems MIGHT "give back" more of the energy that they absorb than others. I'd guess it would be the springy ones, not the well dampened ones - and the amount would be below measurable level.
I'd guess the old trailer had soft tires and/or dragging brakes for starters... Then I'd guess "seasonal fuel" if it was running behind a diesel, then seasonal weather conditions. Maybe EVERYTHING was just set up correctly on the new trailer (-:
Posted 2005-10-07 12:42 PM (#31406 - in reply to #31326) Subject: RE: Question on Air Ride trailers
Elite Veteran
Posts: 788 Location: Tenn/Ala.
I was hoping someone else could substantiate, but here were the thoughts at the time of MPG discovery, along with a few facts- A) 2 Sundowners- so nose is/was same. Old one 3H with 18' of LQ, torflex axles, LT235/75R16 L.R. G tires. New one 4H with 19' of LQ, 8K air ride, 235/75R17.5 tires. B) Same truck- '99 Dodge, with 150K miles. Same route. Same driver.
Unique Suspensions whom made said system said they'd had similar reports. When pulling regularly, its not an energy transference, but rather a drivetrain smoothness. Riding with a very large coach across bridge joints, etc., everytime the trailer hits the joint, the truck has a lurch, or chuggle, or any other name you want to use to describe an uneven momentary flow of power. And this is verified by the drivers back & seat of the britches. With a true air ride, this is not felt in the truck- thus it seems to be able to maintain a steady floow of power. Simply put- there isn't a driver wiggling the throttle pedal, uneven drivetrain loading, etc. We all know diesels run more efficiently when running at steady state. To summarize- air ride makes a difference in a trailer that you just wouldn't believe. But ask any trailer dealer who's sold one and they'll tell you there is much more to keeping one road ready than torflex axles. Decision is yours... But if you drive one, you just might not go back.
Question on Air Ride trailers
