Raising Clearance on AI

[FlaBucki]

I have traveled a few hilly back roads recently in the AI which have caused some bottoming out scrapes, especially on the low hanging gen platform. Are there any air shocks (thinking back to my 60's muscle car days) or other means to temporarily raise the back end of the chassis a few inches to avoid damage on low speed clearance situations that may be recurring?

[Ron_CA]

Are you sure it is the gen hitting or is it the drag bars in back?

Best thing you can do is go slow in these situations and take driveways or inclines at an angle.

Will be interesting to hear if there are any onboard adjustable shocks available for AI.

[Protagonist]

Ron_CA— Koni shocks are adjustable, and I have a set on my 2012 Interstate. But they don't give you a higher ride, only less of a squishy ride. You would need a lift kit or an air suspension to get a higher ride.

FlaBucki— If you're scraping pavement anywhere, you'll be able to see scratches where you've hit by crawling underneath. I'm with Ron_CA on this one, it's probably the drag bars on the underside of the hitch that are dragging, because you've got such a long overhang and low departure angle— there's a reason it's called the Airstream Interstate and not the Airstream Backroads!

The cheapest fix is to replace the drag bars with rollers; that won't keep the arse-end of the van from dragging sometimes, but will make it less traumatic when it does happen. You could get an air suspension installed to provide more lift, but that's an expensive retrofit. If your budget it up to it, it's probably worthwhile to do, judging from reports by those who have done it.

[Lily&Me]

What Ron said.


Maggie

[UKDUDE]

I've posted this before: rollers on a Great West Van Legend.

[Boxster1971]

The Sprinter Store sells air bag assist springs. They are the only item short of of a full Air Suspension that can lift the back end of a XL Sprinter.
http://sprinterstore.com/air_bag_kit.htm


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[mmmmm]

I have the VB air suspension and it takes some planning to use it to avoid tail dragging.

You have to stop and raise the car and drive very slow to keep the height.
I believe less than 5 mph an it takes some time to raise it.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

I've posted this before: rollers on a Great West Van Legend.

I was hoping the originator would re-post that pic. Anyone have sourcing?? This is something I want to investigate further.

[UKDUDE]

I don't have these yet, but I know they can be obtained here:
http://www.etrailer.com/Skid-Wheels/...48-979014.html


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Titus]

I can see rollers being better than skids. But on mine it would have been nice if the skids were at least the lowest point in the back. My trailer wiring box hangs lower than the skid. What a wonderful design! Fortunately the wiring box is more tolerant of dragging than is the LPG fill box - another design flaw. Low clearance between the front and rear wheels is unlikely to be a problem unless you are off-roading the AI. But the lowest hanging fruit in this area seems to be the black tank knife valve, then the macerator pump.

[FlaBucki]

Thanks Protag - do you know a source for rollers to replace drag bars?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by FlaBucki

Thanks Protag - do you know a source for rollers to replace drag bars?

See post #9 from UKDUDE.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by FlaBucki

Thanks Protag - do you know a source for rollers to replace drag bars?

Google "Skid wheels" - you will find lots of places that sell them: bolt-on, weld-on, solid, caster, etc.

[Protagonist]

Side note, if you have room for more than one roller on each side, put as many as will fit. The more contact surface, the better to spread out the load.