6000 fantastic miles |
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gpokluda
Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 331 |
Topic: 6000 fantastic miles Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 8:52pm |
We completed over 6000 miles with our 179 this summer. Made some mods along the way
A few things we learned along the way
Gino 2016 Rp179 2016 Nissan Frontier SV 2018 Triumph Bonneville
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 5:04am |
Sounds like you've had a great summer and have learned a lot and have things dialed in.
On the air bag suspension, it can be tricky to use that in combination with a wdh. The wdh works because the tension bars are applying a torque to the TV rotating the front axle down. If you set that up and then inflate a rear air suspension you are reducing the bar tension and moving more weight back to the TV rear axle from the front. Since the most important thing is to get the load on the front axle right while towing its generally best just the to use the wdh alone. As long as you have the tow vehicle axle loads well within specs it doesn't hurt anything to have a little rear axle squat, the TV was designed for that. If you do use the two together then I'd suggest setting the wdh bar tension after inflating the air bags, that way you know you have the front axle load right.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 10:00am |
An alternative to air springs is to install a set of SumoSprings instead. These are Urethane springs that don't need to be inflated, can't leak, and are available in three different grades depending on your needs. I installed a set of the blue ones (1,000 lb), but recently changed them for the black ones (1,500 lbs). Our 2010 Frontier's suspension was quite mushy before installing the SumoSprings. Now it s firmer, but not uncomfortable. I can hit a bump without bottoming out the suspension. In the Frontier, the SumoSprings replace the stock bump-stop. As long as you have a breaker bar, the correct deep socket, a torque wrench, and a good jack (a hydraulic floor jack works great), it is something you can install yourself. It does not take too long to do so.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:46pm |
+1 to OffGrid and SH, not an airbag fan. Depending upon TV, WDH may be good idea. I'm a Sumo fan to a point. WDH is single best option.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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GlueGuy
Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2654 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:48pm |
+1. With a properly adjusted WDH, no suspension mods should be necessary (assuming the vehicle is good for the load).
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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Linda&Gino
Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 8:16pm |
Thanks, OffGrid. The plan was to set the airbags first, then set the WDH but I just haven't been able to pul the trigger. I only need the airbags once in a while so it is hard to justify the cost. I don't have any handling issues. Thanks. I appreciate the info.
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Linda&Gino
Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 8:29pm |
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Lots of food for thought.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 9:43pm |
Actually, the WDH by itself (Hensley Cub) did not seem to be adequate with our older Frontier. With the SumoSprings, it is much better.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Linda&Gino
Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32 |
Posted: 30 Aug 2019 at 5:19pm |
I believe that to be true most of the time, but not all of the time. I can see someone being able to get their WDH setup spot on every time they hitch up with the chain style WDHs. I have a Fastway with spring bars instead of chains. Since the adjustment requires the hanger bracket to be relocated by unbolting it and then bolting it back in its new position, it would be way easier to simply have suspension assist to trim up the difference.
But you are right. If you carry a consistent load every time you hitch up and your TV's rear suspension isn't sacked out, a well adjusted WDH is all you really need.
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Olddawgsrule
Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014 |
Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 4:16pm |
Personally, I jumped in here to learn where you went? 6K is a good run and plenty to be seen where-ever!
This curious mind wants to know where you went?
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