DIESELSUBMARINER Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Just out of curiosity: anybody ever converted their fifth wheel camper to air brakes and air ride? my Teton has morride and e-brakes. I believe e-brakes are not the best solution for this size & weight camper. In addition, I would like to use the trailer brake on the steering column if needed. Any thoughts on how to utilize that ? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 I'm putting discs on mine and bluedot for brake controller. As far as air ride not seen or read of any converted. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob A Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 I pulled my air for hayes brake controller off of trailer circuit so I could use spike to control trailer brakes 2014 jayco siesmic 3914 1998 volvo 610, singled short ( bought in 2005) 14 speed volvo tranny 2014 Toyota yaris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 We have seen a trailer with air ride and electric brakes but the only one with both would most likely be a spacecraft semi trailer version. I do not think any of the typical RV axles would be able to handle air brakes so it probably means changing axles. Dave 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 ProMaxx Gen 3 suspension could be made to work but not sure about air brakes with it. The air suspension with air brakes is certainly an appealing idea. Charlie Don't ever tell a soldier that he doesn't understand the cost of war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIESELSUBMARINER Posted June 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 10 hours ago, Bob A said: I pulled my air for hayes brake controller off of trailer circuit so I could use spike to control trailer brakes Thanks Bob, since I am new to this, I was not aware of the hayes controller.. but im sure for now I go that route 9 hours ago, Star Dreamer said: We have seen a trailer with air ride and electric brakes but the only one with both would most likely be a spacecraft semi trailer version. I do not think any of the typical RV axles would be able to handle air brakes so it probably means changing axles. Dave Dave, If I am not mistaken, the Teton came at least with optional air suspension and I thought optional air brakes as well, but those might have been air over hydraulic. I also recall seeing a long time ago a large Alfa with Air lines up front... but I agree, axle change would probably be required . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorts Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 Ridewell truck and trailersuspension and Dexter offer airride for 7&8K axles. Air brakes are available for the 15" wheels and tires used on heavy haul trailers, it will take some research but the hardware is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 2 hours ago, shorts said: Ridewell truck and trailersuspension and Dexter offer airride for 7&8K axles. Air brakes are available for the 15" wheels and tires used on heavy haul trailers, it will take some research but the hardware is available. Ridewell air suspension for fifths has been around for long time and I've seen it as an option installed on a Teton (long time ago) and a SpaceCraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 2 hours ago, phoenix2013 said: Ridewell air suspension for fifths has been around for long time and I've sen it as an option installed on a Teton (long time ago) and a SpaceCraft. Henry is correct. It was a rare option on Tetons, and is pretty standard on Spacecraft trailers. The Kelderman and Ridewell has been put on New Horizons. I know of no air brakes on any conventional RV 5ths (not semis). I've seen a custom Featherlight RV trailer with air brakes. But that is a definite one-off and not very common. It can certainly be done as a retrofit with enough money and "will". Early next year you will see one with air disc/abs and adjustable air ride. With Bigfoot leveling to boot...And a bunch of other innovations. But that is as far as I'm going on that topic at the moment Otherwise I may be considered "commercial", and be violating forum rules. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 Jack Dog gone it now you've got my curiosity fired up and you tell me to wait till next year! You are heartless!! Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 2 hours ago, JPL said: Jack Dog gone it now you've got my curiosity fired up and you tell me to wait till next year! You are heartless!! Pat Well, Pat, when we get into the October timeframe I'll be sharing some design and infrastructure details....... Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorts Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Jack You let the cat out of the bag, what capacity axles and tire diameters are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 On 6/16/2017 at 7:59 AM, phoenix2013 said: Ridewell air suspension for fifths has been around for long time and I've seen it as an option installed on a Teton (long time ago) and a SpaceCraft. If Teton offered the Ridewell suspension, it was later than my 2005 Teton. Phoenix, you might be remembering my setup with the Dexter Air-Flex system that is nothing like the current Dexter system available. I think the older one was much better and the trailer just smoothly floated down the highway with nothing coming off of anything. It had large Firestone suspension bags on it, without and torsion setup and was a pretty simple system. We were surprised, as was Trey and Susan when they weighed our trailer, that the air suspension balanced out weights pretty evenly across the axles (within 50 lbs of each side). With that huge long kitchen slide, with additional pantry added midway, it really took care of the "heavy" side of the rig. I have talked with folks who have the newer air ride systems that are available, and not sure if they have the Ridewell system or the newer Dexter system, but they seem not to function as well for them. I did like the fact that you aired the system up for traveling (Dexter has an option for that) and that made it have higher clearance for everything I might encounter. I think it was between 9 to 11 inches. And it was adjustable based on a leveling valve like our trucks. That is also why my pin height had to be almost 50 inches. The newer systems (that have been mentioned) don't seem to have the same travel distance as did the older systems. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 Hero, I checked my "archives" and you are correct, The rig I remembered was 2006 39 footer Frontier that Steve Dobs had custom built by Teton. He didn't have Ridewell, he had three axle setup by Timbren Industries. The unique feature of their setup was independent air bag actuation this allowed him to unload the third axle when parking. You know that look of tires literally coming off the rims in sharp corners.on the first, or third axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 Did he have a way to lift that axle? Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 I believe so, but don't remember. Do I have your email I can send you the whole article on that rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 No real "lift" on the axle, but it did unload it enough to essentially do the same thing..... Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Jack We will coming out to the Balloon Fest in Abq in early Oct. Where will you be? Can I get a glimpse?? Take care. Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 22 hours ago, JPL said: Jack We will coming out to the Balloon Fest in Abq in early Oct. Where will you be? Can I get a glimpse?? Take care. Pat The Old Sailor I'll be at the National Rally, of course And after that, likely in Parsons. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Jack We'll be at the Balloon fest the same week of the National Rally. Maybe after that. No matter be safe and we will meet again SOMEWHERE! Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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