Towing big with the Path

Any topics related to 2005-2012 R51

Moderator: volvite

User avatar
disallow
Site Admin
Posts: 2820
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:02 am
Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Postby disallow » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:46 pm

glockshooter wrote:
disallow wrote: do it. Best under $100 mod I've ever done.
Any suggestions on what style or brand? Do I want to go with the 500 or 1000lb bags?
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/air-lif ... -3525.html

I bought these ones. Not sure what rating they have, but they are more than sufficient.


Elite130
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:46 am

Postby Elite130 » Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:01 am

glockshooter wrote:For you guys with the lift bags, do they effect the ride? ?
Yes...it makes it better. I installed my AirLift bags on our 2007 two weekends ago. I haven't towed anything yet, but I noticed a difference just driving around town. The rear feels more solid and it doesn't have the soft feel and bounce it originally had. The Paty also corners and handles better. Like others have said, best $100 bucks Ive spent (though I think I got mine off ETrailer for $85).

I keep 10psi in the bags normally. I piped each bag separately. It was easier and I like the adjustability.

kazeej
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:40 am
Location: South Florida, USA

Postby kazeej » Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:13 am

Elite130 wrote: Yes...it makes it better. I installed my AirLift bags on our 2007 two weekends ago. I haven't towed anything yet, but I noticed a difference just driving around town. The rear feels more solid and it doesn't have the soft feel and bounce it originally had. The Paty also corners and handles better. Like others have said, best $100 bucks Ive spent (though I think I got mine off ETrailer for $85).

I keep 10psi in the bags normally. I piped each bag separately. It was easier and I like the adjustability.
I installed mine last night. Riding to work this morning, I did notice it to be a little firmer. Could be all in my head - just knowing it should feel different makes it feel different. We'll see how it does this weekend. We're going tent camping. We carry about 400 lbs of gear with us. The first time we took the Pathy, I noticed it kinda dragged its butt when I loaded all the gear in the back. We'll see how she does this time.

User avatar
oreogaborio
Posts: 197
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:13 pm

Postby oreogaborio » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:23 pm

Great thread. I just placed an order for the bags.

Most of my towing will probably be light with just a 4x8 foot open utility trailer with a motorcycle or two on it. But I may be pulling my buddy's 20+ foot enclosed trailer with 3 or 4 bikes, plus tools & gear for a few days. If so, I'll order up a brake controller and 7 pin connector.



Question: What did you grease the bags up with to keep them from binding? Just plain ole axle grease? Wouldn't that potentially "grab" dirt & debris and wear down the bags?

User avatar
disallow
Site Admin
Posts: 2820
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:02 am
Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Postby disallow » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:25 pm

oreogaborio wrote: Question: What did you grease the bags up with to keep them from binding? Just plain ole axle grease? Wouldn't that potentially "grab" dirt & debris and wear down the bags?
You don't need any grease. I did give the springs a good rinse at the car wash before installation to ensure cleanliness, but they are in there with no lube.

User avatar
oreogaborio
Posts: 197
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:13 pm

Postby oreogaborio » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:29 pm

giggity :wink:



okay, thanks.

User avatar
ShipFixer
Posts: 769
Joined: Sun May 24, 2009 9:52 am
Location: San Diego, CA

Postby ShipFixer » Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:16 pm

One of mine was a little tougher to get in. I sprayed it with some Windex I had in the truck and it slipped right into place...

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:20 pm

I think after rereading this thread again, the air bags help even when not towing. I think I will have to do this when I get back to the states.

User avatar
ShipFixer
Posts: 769
Joined: Sun May 24, 2009 9:52 am
Location: San Diego, CA

Postby ShipFixer » Sun Mar 27, 2011 3:04 pm

volvite wrote:I think after rereading this thread again, the air bags help even when not towing. I think I will have to do this when I get back to the states.
They really do, even unloaded. I find that the stock rear suspension bottoms out much too easily, and unsettles the front end including steering going over anything taller or deeper than 1" on the highway. 7-10 psi in the rear at all times keeps the truck much more stable and predictable. Mine now has Bilstein shocks plus the Airlift 1000 and I think it's about as close as its going to get to driving like a big car.

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Sun Mar 27, 2011 6:42 pm

My only concern is, if I instal these, will my warranty still be valid?

User avatar
disallow
Site Admin
Posts: 2820
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:02 am
Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Postby disallow » Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:23 pm

volvite wrote:My only concern is, if I instal these, will my warranty still be valid?
You should be fine. In a worst case situation you would remove them and they would be none the wiser.

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:11 pm

Yea I was thinking that too. It's always an idea.

NYPathfinder
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:53 am

Postby NYPathfinder » Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:22 pm

I've taken my apathy in a few times with the airbags in and they never mentioned anything. They only asked why my engineering bay was covered in mud lol. Although every dealer is different.

User avatar
volvite
Sponsored Member
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:06 pm
Location: Hill AFB, Utah West Point UT

Postby volvite » Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:31 pm

Some people just don't understand the relationship of 4x4 to mud. Some people never learn. :D

kazeej
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:40 am
Location: South Florida, USA

Postby kazeej » Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:42 pm

kazeej wrote: I installed mine last night. Riding to work this morning, I did notice it to be a little firmer. Could be all in my head - just knowing it should feel different makes it feel different. We'll see how it does this weekend. We're going tent camping. We carry about 400 lbs of gear with us. The first time we took the Pathy, I noticed it kinda dragged its butt when I loaded all the gear in the back. We'll see how she does this time.
OK, so we went camping and, as promised, here’s my report on how the AirLift bags performed. I weighed everything before it went into the truck, so I would know how much weight I would be carrying. The total was 782 lbs. Adding two people put us right at the max load specification. I had 30 psi in the bags, and left the rear tires at the normal 34 psi. On the 250 mile trip up, I could feel that the truck weighed a lot more – braking distance had increased, acceleration was a little slower, etc. I noticed a little bit extra body roll when going around turns, and the rear end was a little soft, but overall, it just felt like a loaded truck.
For the trip back home, I raised the air bags to 35 psi, and the rear tires to 40 psi. The difference was remarkable. There was almost no leaning in turns, and the overall feel of the truck was much more stable.
The AirLift bags did a very nice job at leveling the truck and making it very stable, even when loaded at capacity. Probably the best $85.00 I’ve spent.
The next test will be when I tow my 17’ heavy pig of a bass boat. Stay tuned…


Return to “R51 General Chat”