I have one & there are some posts re; them. I like it as it smooths out the ride for the trailer and the TV ride. I use a 3500 dually so I was concerned about the suspension being too hard on the AS.
Like Phil, I have a heavy dually. I haven't towed the AS with an AirRideHitch yet. I have used them in the past for other types of trailers and IMHO they do the job they are supposed to.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
I tow with a Ford F350, 4x4 w/offroad package. I've been thinnking about the airsafe set up, but am not convinced it will work well with the load equalizing system. Also, I don't think I am smart enough to know how far to 'drop' my current ball set up to end up with a ball height of 18.75" after airing up the hitch. Is this a major problem? Appreciate any pointers/etc.
Thanks.
__________________
Rgds,
Scott Air 16426
Fully retired now!
Remember:
Never start anything before noon and always plan on being finished by 5.
I will never HAVE to be anywhere ever again!
I have used an AirSafe hitch for the past several years with my F250 and Airstream International, and it delivers as advertised. Read what they say on their site, and I can verify their claims:
I got tired of popping rivets on my International, and the AirRide stopped the process for me.
Relative to setting the proper hitch height, no problem. Just set the trailer on the hitch, put enough air to place the hitch's indicator to the level position for the hitch (ie, a mark that shows when the air pressure is sufficient to provide maximum up/down cushion from the Firestone air bags), and then see if the trailer is level. If it is not, note how much you have to adjust the hitch's mounting up/down, and move accordingly. The amount of air in the bags will not change, just how high or low you bolt the hitch mounting. It should be an easy process to do.
I wish they made an arrangement which would hook my Hensley Arrow up to my 2500hd.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
I have used an AirSafe hitch for the past several years with my F250 and Airstream International, and it delivers as advertised. Read what they say on their site, and I can verify their claims:
I got tired of popping rivets on my International, and the AirRide stopped the process for me.
Relative to setting the proper hitch height, no problem. Just set the trailer on the hitch, put enough air to place the hitch's indicator to the level position for the hitch (ie, a mark that shows when the air pressure is sufficient to provide maximum up/down cushion from the Firestone air bags), and then see if the trailer is level. If it is not, note how much you have to adjust the hitch's mounting up/down, and move accordingly. The amount of air in the bags will not change, just how high or low you bolt the hitch mounting. It should be an easy process to do.
I did not read a word about sway control.
I did not notice any attachment that would offer any sway control.
It appears to be a gadget that simply changes the height of the ball, with absolutely no weight transfer.
I did not notice any attachment that would offer any sway control.
It appears to be a gadget that simply changes the height of the ball, with absolutely no weight transfer.
Andy
They have the attachments points for both sway control and weight distribution hitches, depending on which class of unit you purchase. FWIW the lighter Class weight ones only have sway control mounting points. The sway control and WD require additional brackets that are listed below the hitches.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Depends on what you call pricey. I checked my receipts the Class V I purchased was about $850 delivered. (gone up a bit since then) However it is much less expensive than reworking the front end on my AS, as well as saving general wear and tear on the driver, tow vehicle and trailer. Last time I checked most of the big rigs on the road use an Air Ride suspension
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Inland Andy, the AirSafe hitch with the Firestone airbags is more than your dismissive "gadget" description. This hitch is NOT designed to change the heigth of the ball. My, my, you do have a way with using strong words against things that you have no experience with or don't sell.
Since you have brought it up, yes, my Class V AirSafe hitch does provide for both weight transfer and for sway control. I use my standard weight-transfer bars and friction-type sway control bars, just as I have always used with a conventional type of hitch. Since the AirSafe hitch can use standard weight-transfer bars, I see no reason why the other types of sway control systems based on the cam-type or such other devices could not be used.
Ironically, I think if you would take the time to actually look at the air hitch, you would find it is the answer to the problems you always rant about concerning the punishment wrought by using heavy suspension systems on the sensitive and somewhat delicate Airstream construction design. The AirRide hitch removes all of the shock created by heavy pickup truck suspensions and treats the Airstream as it used to be treated with the old sedans. I know this to be true, because my first Airstream tow vehicle was a big old 1976 Ford Custom 500 sedan with the soft boulevard ride. When I later got a heavily sprung pickup truck, that's when my Airstream started popping rivets and cracking. With the AirSafe hitch, all that popping and cracking has gone away. The air-cushioned effect brought back the soft rides of yesteryear that you often long for.
Depends on what you call pricey. I checked my receipts the Class V I purchased was about $850 delivered. (gone up a bit since then) However it is much less expensive than reworking the front end on my AS, as well as saving general wear and tear on the driver, tow vehicle and trailer. Last time I checked most of the big rigs on the road use an Air Ride suspension
Aaron
I wasn't saying that the hitch is over priced or doesn't work, I was simply commenting on my memory that the hitch was an expensive item. After this summers trip, I will be taking a close look at air hitches again and may well be buying. Having said that, it isn't as easy for me as I would like to come up with a thousand dollars for every problem that comes down the pike, epically since I want to remove the ugly box extension the PO installed and put a new gray tank in. It all adds up and can be hard on the little guy.
Im almost convinced to get a Air Safe. I just bought a new Intl 28 and tow it with an '08 F350 dually. I also have an Equalizer Hitch. Now Im worried about being over rigged and over hitched and shaking my new A/S apart. If I get an Air Safe will still need to use my Equalizer hitch or can I just use the Air Safe with a regular ball? Thanks in advance for advice for this newbie!!
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