Load levelers or airbags

[thommo19]

Once again I am asking for your thoughts.
I have a Nissan Narava D40 a cub camper, ball weight abt 90kg. When I hook up the back of the truck tends to drop ,not sure how much as I have not measured. Looking side on it is not noticeable and the truck drives as normal  so have not been too concerned.
I am now planning a longer trip ,only a month  but am going to carry in a bladder tank 100 litres of water.
I'm not sure how much effect if any this will cause. The bladder will be over the wheels.
This brings me to the query. I have enquired abt air bags or load levellers and can't decide if they are necessary.
There is a wide differences in price of the bags $500 -$1300 fitted .
Do you guys worry about this or am I just making a problem for myself. 
Jeff

[JCOJ]

I have had airbags in my last 3 vehicles and think they are excellent.

By load levellers - do you mean a weight distribution hitch - if so just remember that these can't be used when traversing off road terrain.

[chester ver2.0]

Neither for that amount of weight just get a uprated set of rear springs and some decent shocks

[marvellous_matt]

I have airbags (and spring/shock upgrade) in the back of a R51 pathfinder, which works well towing a light Cub, with plenty of weight in the back of the vehicle. I am not sure how similar the Navara suspension is.

[Spada]

as an ex-Navara and ex-Cub owner, my suggestion is an uprated set of springs (and fit greasable shackles while your under there).

If you also carry a heap of gear in the ute (eg- water bladder), also add a set of helper springs. as they can be adjusted for differant payloads/support required. I used Iron Man for mine and worked well.

I didn't need airbags untill after I sold the Cub and bought the Conqueror (125kg ball weight).

I recon a weight distribution hitch would be overkill, as your weight will be in the ute tub over the wheels.

Have you considered adding a water tank behind the axle on the cub ?

[fisher]

Hey Thommo - I'm a Navara D40 owner, but my camper is much heavier than yours -  in case you missed it:  http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36257.0 

cheers

[dazzler]

Hello Thommo.

The evidence is now clear that the chassis in dual cabs cannot take the addition of airbags as it provides a fulcrum point that can lead to cracking.

This is different for wagons as the rear body mounts prevent this.

My suggestion is to fit a quality aftermarket std rated raised suspension system (nominally 50mm).  This will transform your vehicle both off road and on. The aftermarket stuff will tend to be slightly firmer than the original as OE stuff tries to cover more scenarios and they don't want people to say they ride harsh.

Look at bilstein or Konis shocks If you want to maintain the best ride though there are lots of options out there.

Once that's done hook it up and see how it rides and tows. If it is still riding low then look at weight distribution hitches though as mentioned above most can't be used off road. (Off road where articulation is a factor. Dirt roads are fine)

No Airbags.

You don't need heavy duty springs. Just raised height std duty.


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[evolution]

As above, exactly what daz has said.
The only change to that I would make is that rather than a wdh, is that you can get a set of helper springs such as "super springs" these only start working once a set weight has been reached.

Cheers
Evo

[ScottT]

Hello Thommo.

The evidence is now clear that the chassis in dual cabs cannot take the addition of airbags as it provides a fulcrum point that can lead to cracking.

This is different for wagons as the rear body mounts prevent this.

My suggestion is to fit a quality aftermarket std rated raised suspension system (nominally 50mm).  This will transform your vehicle both off road and on. The aftermarket stuff will tend to be slightly firmer than the original as OE stuff tries to cover more scenarios and they don't want people to say they ride harsh.

Look at bilstein or Konis shocks If you want to maintain the best ride though there are lots of options out there.

Once that's done hook it up and see how it rides and tows. If it is still riding low then look at weight distribution hitches though as mentioned above most can't be used off road. (Off road where articulation is a factor. Dirt roads are fine)

No Airbags.

You don't need heavy duty springs. Just raised height std duty.


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X 3

[chester ver2.0]

Yeah sorry i used uprated as a general term

For example i tow a goldstream with a ball weight of 120kg and 2 bikes and odds and ends in the back

I use an old man emu 0 to 300kg rear spring and find this perfect for my needs you can take the spring up to GVM bit it operates its best between a 0 and 300kg of additional load

I could have went a 300kg to 600kg constant load spring but i only tow occasionally hence the compromise

[thommo19]

Thanks for the input.
I missed the previous thread on the Narava ,what a help that was. My problem is not as dramatic as Fisher ,but will follow the same process.
Thanks

[dazzler]

uprated as a general term

Heavy Duty is another one that means different things to different people.  Mate of mine manages an ARB and he says he gets that a lot when they actually mean one that is better than standard and the heavy comes from thinking you need heavy to 'lift' it.

Bit like with cops.  Often you would get a call saying there has been a 'robbery' when its a 'burglary'.  Two different things with vastly different response times     - A robbery being the bloke with the mask, the gun and the $$$$ bag.....

[briann532]

Heavy Duty is another one that means different things to different people.  Mate of mine manages an ARB and he says he gets that a lot when they actually mean one that is better than standard and the heavy comes from thinking you need heavy to 'lift' it.

Bit like with cops.  Often you would get a call saying there has been a 'robbery' when its a 'burglary'.  Two different things with vastly different response times     - A robbery being the bloke with the mask, the gun and the $$$$ bag.....

To the original poster - I use airbags on my playdo and love them. Standard ride for around town empty, but when we tow I pump them up and away we go.
BUT.................
I agree with other posters that a good suspension setup may help you.

I actually did both and am very happy with the end result.

NOW----------------moving onto Dazzlers last comment and apologising for the hi-jack!!!!

Semantics can be a tricky thing.
For instance some married men refer to the "cheese and kisses" "boss" "her indoors" SWMBO" "the lady" "my missus" "wife", but we all know they all mean exactly the same thing.
Basically "you're screwed, just do what you're told and everybody gets to breathe!!!"

Back in my box........
Brian

[schmik]

I had a set of these installed :  http://www.truckspring.com/Search.aspx?p=Suspension-Parts%2fAir-Springs-Kits%2fFirestone-Air-Bags&c=Firestone-Coil-Rite

Got them online and had them installed by my mechanic. Cost was for 1.5 hours of labor.
When in use they are inflated to about 16psi.   i.e. loaded up and towing.

When not in use they are down to 5psi and it's like they are not there.

Having said all that.... they are in a cruiser so i am unlikely to bend the chassis.

[bully]

Go the air bags, they are hard to beat as you can lower the pressure when you have no load and up the pressure at full load.

[PhilW]

I have done a fair amount of research re airbags and dual cab utes. There are no shortage of bent chassis as a result of this setup. Hilux, BT50, Tritons and Navaras......they all bend the same with one common denominator.....airbags. Do your research before fitting them.

As mentioned above...the bags create a fulcrum point.

[schmik]

Doh! just realised that all the utes would have leaf springs. So the springs would attach to two points on the chassis and spread the load. Add the airbags and there is the fulcrum.

[dazzler]

So I dont upset anyone.

Airbags are great for adjusting ride height.  Love em.

JUST NOT IN UTES.

Super happy smiley face

 

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Dazzler, once again,  right on the Money.
And at your Diplomatic best I must say.

[DaveR]

With the Polyair bags, the sort which sit within a coil spring, be aware that they can be damaged by stones which sit on the top of a spring coil and rest against the bag. I had a set of Polyair assist bags such as this link shared by schmik and they failed.

I had a set of these installed :  http://www.truckspring.com/Search.aspx?p=Suspension-Parts%2fAir-Springs-Kits%2fFirestone-Air-Bags&c=Firestone-Coil-Rite

I am now considering the installation of these:
http://www.airbagworld.com.au/thor-airbag-suspension--load-assist-kits--double-air-bellow-kits.html
This type replaces the bump stop and works well in the Troopy, no bent chassis history.

My point here, is to be aware of the stones resting against the bag.

[cyberess]

Be careful with the Nissan D40  utes, they do seem to bend their chassis just a little too easy.

We had one in the 4WD club that bent it's chassis, without towing  ..  although just a little bent, still driving around while bent,as it just dropped it tray a bit. (i believe it had it chassis straightened in Adelaide).

Just a couple of images of Nissan D40 with bent chassis.  -- images found on the internet.




Maybe  upgrade your leaf springs may or level riders are a better idea that air bags for the D40. a good suspension place should be able to help and most important don't over load.

With the D40s I wonder if there is a difference between Spanish and the Thai version -- The one that I knew of personally with a bent chassis was a Spanish one.

 

[dazzler]

Geez thats a bit harsh Cyber ess- most of that would just buff out!   

I can just imagine the puzzled look, scratch of the head..........what the ......

[Swogjb]

Like Dazzler has already mentioned, I'd be giving airbags a miss on a dual cab as well.

I always thought it was the lighter Hilux, Navara, Triton, Ranger etc etc that suffered from bent back syndrome. And when you look at how light the chassis is its understandable as to why they are breaking with air bags fitted.

About a month ago a mate bent the chassis in his brand new Landcruiser 76 series dual cab after only having the air bags fitted for a week.
The chassis in the Cruiser is way heavier than the smaller dual cabs but they do have a $h!t load of tray overhanging out past the rear axle.

I have the same airbag setup on my single cab landcruiser ute and they do work a treat for carrying extra heavy loads around the farm. The single cab has nowhere  near the overhang of the dual cab and has been faultless in over 200,000 k's of abuse.

 

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

I was once told that the Spaniards had learnt to temper Solder.
This was based on the quality of their steel auto parts at that time.