airbags for rear springs

[crdv6]

Hi this has probably been discussed before, but..
I am thinking of fitting air bags to level my vehicle (WH) when the caravan is on (ball weight around 270-300kg) as the WDH doesn't quite do it.
Wondering if anyone has any feedback; like does it affect the ride when the bags are deflated? Any other issues?
Should I be looking at alternatives. like stronger/longer coils?
Have already fitted Bilstein shockers which reduced pitching and wallowing, but actually seems to be higher at the front when under load than before. Perhaps the firmer struts push the front up when there is more weight on the back?
Any thoughts before I fork out more $$?

[GR_76ers_Iverson_3]

I literally finished putting bags in the rear of my tj today. Went and hooked the camper trailer up tonight and made a massive difference! Even with the bags blown up and driving without the trailer it felt good, reduced a lot of body roll! I have a 2.5 inch skyjacker lift kit which has really soft springs and these made a huge difference.. And for a month after the Sydney camper show at rosehill, poly air bags have a 100 off I think, got mine from opposite lock for 260 a week ago, and they ordered a bag that was taller to accommodate for my lift so I didn't have to buy spaces for the bags too.

[GMEMUD]

http://www.airbagman.com.au/AirbagApps.pdf
I have fitted the 5034 ( lifted 2") ( stock height you need the 5044 ones) ones to my '08 WH and found them very good with the car loaded or empty, only run about 5psi empty and you don't know they are there, load the back up with a bunch of heavy stuff and put about 8/9 psi and it levels out nicely. I have a large 'van (23') with a WDH and found without the bags it sat down too much, have not had the 'van on since fitting the bags though.
hope this is of help.

[SMBCJ]

300kg ball weight Seems like a lot to me, but then I only tow a camper. What's the rated ball weight of your hitch?? I put the airbags in my WJ and found a great improvement when towing (with 80kg ball weight). I did it mainly for levelling the car as even just with the luggage in the rear caused the angle to change and when night driving, oncoming cars would flash their lights at me.

I would recommend it if you want to preserve the comfort when unloaded and to also improve handling when towing.

[crdv6]

Originally Posted by SMBCJ

300kg ball weight Seems like a lot to me, but then I only tow a camper. What's the rated ball weight of your hitch?? I put the airbags in my WJ and found a great improvement when towing (with 80kg ball weight). I did it mainly for levelling the car as even just with the luggage in the rear caused the angle to change and when night driving, oncoming cars would flash their lights at me.

I would recommend it if you want to preserve the comfort when unloaded and to also improve handling when towing.

I haven't actually weighed the front of the caravan to be precise, but the van weighs around 2600-2700 in touring trim, so guestimated about 10% plus a bit more to allow for the WDH, bike carrier etc.

[Bomber]

Car is rated to 350kg on ball, so weight isn't an issue apparently SMBJC - however design of the van can vastly affect ball weight regardless of van loaded weight. Position of wheels on chassis, location of kitchen (front / rear / side over wheels), location and size of bathroom all affect ball weight independently of van weight. Moving the ensuite from the front to the rear of the van can shift around 50kg off ball weight for example so getting ball weight measured (most van yards with a tech can do it for you) is actually important if you don't know the exact weight. Even chucking 2 x 20L Jerry cans on drawbar suddenly adds around 40kgs to ball weight without allowing for tools or batteries in the boot and all that stuff. 10% guide is a very flimsy one with modern vans.

We looked recently at a new van in two configurations and ball weight was 220kg with rear bathroom and 270kg with front bathroom. Chuck in an extra battery, tools and jerries and you're perilously close to 350kg limit and definitely over the 220kg no WDH required level (specs for WK2 used as a guide).

Back to original topic though.... We put airbags in our WG and while they helped I was a little disappointed. I don't know if my expectations were too high but they didn't lift the car as much as I had hoped. Same van behind Commander with a 2" lift and car goes from a bit high in rear to perfectly level even without WDH. Van was nigh on 2T loaded and ball weight (before tools, jerries, etc) was 170kg. Ride the rest of the time wasn't affected but articulation was reduced very slightly in very rutted stuff (without van behind then of course ).