Are air bags just fashion

[aussichev]

Ok first let me just say that airbags are pretty new down here in Australia, but the question is still valid. Is there an advantage to airbags other than being able to ajust the hight, do they add to the ride quality and handleing ? Is it a fashonable must have or is there a mechanical advantage over cheaper steel spring suspension? Exspencive hipe or vast improvement? Let the debate begin.

[Izzy]

It’s already been proven by many quality companies that the bags will handle as good if not better than most any quality spring.

You can see airbags now in bracket racers, drag cars, land speed record holders and nearly every big rig on the road. Their longevity is proven to be as much as any steel spring out there.

I installed bags on my 83 because I wanted the adjustability, big drop and better handling. I had a set of cheap Gabriel shocks out back and mine still rode like it was a stock Caddy. That’s pretty good considering it was a 21 year old truck that had all original steering components. The truck hooked amazingly afterward compared to the stock suspension.

They are easily more than a standard steel spring suspension but for the adjustability and in some cases the extra payload and better handling it’s worth it if it’s in your budget.

I know many of my buddies wont even consider bags because of some of the nightmare installs and bad reps that bags have gotten but I’ve seen equally as bad steel suspension setups.

It’s all up to what you’re looking for IMO. If you just want a mild drop and handling get a nice set of Hotchkis springs, if you want the adjustability, bigger drop and handling then go with bags.

[N2TRUX]

aussichev, the "big" advantage of air bags is the adjustable ride height. If your truck is really low, it's a nightmare to drive with a static drop. You have to worry about dips in the road, driveways that slope too much, speed bumps and in extreme cases breaking the law. In most states here they have a minimum bumper height law. If the cops want to be a prick (would they do that ) they can write a ticket for being to low.

With bags you can drive at a nice lowered height and not worry about the above mentioned concerns. When you pull in a parking lot and drop the air, you drop the jaws as well.

The negative side is if you don't have a "properly" installed system and breaks. If everything is installed correctly that should never happen. There are thousands of motorhomes, and hundreds of thousands of tractor/trailer rigs on the road every day that have air bags installed from the factory and they are D.O.T. approved

[aussichev]

Thanks guys i will take all that into consideration when it is time.In oz air will probably cost about $6000. so you can see why i asked.
Paul