Air Bags or not?

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Just re read this whole thread. I have Whitey's suspension on my 2016 GX and it is still sensational after 30000km which includes 15000 km of very heavily laden desert and outback roads. BUT there is an issue with the back springs which are Dobinsons 327. After all of this laden travel the back is still at 850- 860mm ie too high. The unladen ride is ok. The root of the problem I think is that my 5 seat GX is about 100kg lighter than a GXL and all of this difference is in the back so the 327s are great loaded but too much spring unloaded. I also have a set of 325s which I swap in between trips but this is an ongoing pain. My question is will the 325s with airbags .do the same excellent job laden as the 327s? The 325s sit at 830 mm unladen but don't carry weight as well as the 327s.
I had Polyairs on my 120 with OME medium springs but the ride unladen was a bit harsh (both the 327s and 325s ride better). Any experience on here with 325s with air bags with regard to laden performance and unladen ride. Thoughts? Any air bag better than the others? (I had zero problems with the Polyairs over 6 years and 100000kms)

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

I have a 150 petrol GXL with 325s and airbags. Love it. Orig had 327s as tow 2.4T 10 times a year, but unloaded ride on 327s was horrible and didn't even need airbags when towing. Put the 325s in and the ride unloaded (97% of time) is heaps better and the airbags do the job for the 3% of time towing. To me the perfect compromise.

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

also my airbags are polyairs and with 3" lift.

[foxpro Member Find all posts View Profile Close foxpro]

I had a 2014 GX with the 325 in the rear. One big 25k outback trip fully loaded at 2980kg. Then 50k unladen as a daily driver. For me that was perfect.
Have just bought a 2020 GX and will go for the same setup plus added air bags for a the newly added offroad trailer. Should be a balanced compromise.

[Guest Close Guest]

I had a 2014 GX with the 325 in the rear. One big 25k outback trip fully loaded at 2980kg. Then 50k unladen as a daily driver. For me that was perfect.
Have just bought a 2020 GX and will go for the same setup plus added air bags for a the newly added offroad trailer. Should be a balanced compromise.

So close to GVM limit, was that with Pax in the car?

[foxpro Member Find all posts View Profile Close foxpro]

Yes, very close to GVM, but that was with all gear bolted (bull bar, winch, 2nd battery, side steps, tow bar, roof tent, drawers, spares, etc.), three adults, full tanks and fridge.
This time around it will be only two adults and less gear in the car but with an added 1.8t offroad trailer (190kg ball weight). Thus the desire for the air bags.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

I will report post August. Trip will be across south west Qld, Plenty Highway, 500km of Gary Junction Rd, Sandy Blight Rd, Connie Sue Rd. All with off road camper in tow. I think that car will weigh a bit less with the camper in tow than the car normally is for long desert trips. I run the polyairs at the minimum pressure when the car is empty but they do firm up the ride a bit.

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

I run the polyairs at the minimum pressure when the car is empty but they do firm up the ride a bit.

I air mine down to the recommended 5psi when unloaded, and don’t notice any effect on the ride at that pressure..