Anyone have experience with Trailer Flex air suspension?

[bcdiesel]

I'm hoping someone can have input regarding Trailer Flex air suspension. For parking at my house, my soon to arrive Solitude may be an inch or two too high for our local community bylaws (12' 2" height restriction for parked RV's at home, to top of the roof not including accessories such as A/C or ladders). I've researched some air suspensions and like the idea of being able to "dump" the suspension where it'll sit lower on the air bag bump stops when not in use. I've contacted the manufacturer of Trailer Flex and have been told that typically the suspension can dump down between 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 inches below normal ride height (which would easily solve my parked height issue). There is not much online about this suspension set up except for their website and a Trailer Life installation article. It seems like a well designed system that installs relatively easy in place of the stock suspension (as long as you can weld... which I can).

The two related web pages:
https://www.autoflexsuspensions.com/trailerflex
http://www.trailerlife.com/tech/diy/bounce-be-gone/

Thoughts and experiences?

[warsw1]

I have no experience with Trailer Flex air suspension but I would sure like to hear how you like it if you end up going that route. It does sound like it has a lot of pluses.

[Cate&Rob]

Hi bcdiesel,

I have no direct experience with this suspension system, but the design looks “right”. Have you followed the discussions on this forum about isolating one axle from the other to prevent the rear axle from lifting the front axle, through the equalizer, during braking? If you go forward with this upgrade, please keep this forum updated!

The TrailerLife writeup actually has far more useful information than the manufacturer’s website. I always wonder when folks post that a suspension change “improved the ride” of their trailer. How would they know that? Unless you are riding in the trailer, the only information that you have is what you can see in your mirrors.

Interesting that this company is in Thunder Bay . . .

Rob

[Rob&Vicki]

That would be the suspension I would use! A leveling valve on both sides to set the ride height evenly and good shocks would be a great setup. I wish the RV industry would offer that as an option, I would pay extra for it!

[bcdiesel]

Hi bcdiesel,

I have no direct experience with this suspension system, but the design looks “right”. Have you followed the discussions on this forum about isolating one axle from the other to prevent the rear axle from lifting the front axle, through the equalizer, during braking? If you go forward with this upgrade, please keep this forum updated!

The TrailerLife writeup actually has far more useful information than the manufacturer’s website. I always wonder when folks post that a suspension change “improved the ride” of their trailer. How would they know that? Unless you are riding in the trailer, the only information that you have is what you can see in your mirrors.

Interesting that this company is in Thunder Bay . . .

Rob

I did read that thread as well. Better and safer braking would be an added benefit... but for me it's more about the flexibility to adjust parked height (dump it down to the bump stops). Another benefit for many may be a lower entry height, although only 3-4 inches lower it would make the first step closer to the ground. For those with trailers that are not perfectly level it has the flexibility to adjust the right height via the adjustable leveling valve. The Firestone airbag in that install article only had a load rating of around 3100lbs, so they must use bigger capacity bags for heavier trailers. But that bag specs at 9 inches of allowable travel meaning a lot of room to adjust ride height (bigger bags may vary in travel).

This is very much like many of the commercial heavy trailers are going towards. Looking at them, side roll is controlled by the axle being welded to the trailing arms creating torsional stiffness countering side to side roll. Some heavy trailers also use a cross restriction valve which basically limits air flow from side to side. One manufacturer claims that torsional axle stiffness accounts for 80% of the roll resistance and the cross restriction valve for another 20%. I don't think the Trailer Flex kit has a cross restriction valve but in emailing back and forth I do know they have a delay valve which prevent the air system from responding with height adjustments to every bump it the road (how much delay I don't know yet).

The only drawback currently is they quoted $400CDN for ship from Ontario to British Columbia. While I get this is heavy metal and some of the cross brace angle iron is probably 8 feet long... that's still expensive. Perhaps I can see if they can eliminate some of the long angle iron cross braces which I can source locally to same on the shipment costs. That said... I'm probably still months away from even looking to purchase if I go that route... need the trailer first!

I found another video on YouTube showing the suspension in motion. While not an RV, the trailer uses the same Trailer Flex suspension and it can be seen in action in an undermount camera while driving. Fast forward to the 4:30 time mark to see the suspension in action... Link: https://youtu.be/6A5XkDgQOjY

[bcdiesel]

That would be the suspension I would use! A leveling valve on both sides to set the ride height evenly and good shocks would be a great setup. I wish the RV industry would offer that as an option, I would pay extra for it!

You and me both!

[Iamsparta]

You and me both!

Looking for an update on this.

Has anyone purchased it or know of anyone who has? Not much feedback online.

[bcdiesel]

Looking for an update on this.
Has anyone purchased it or know of anyone who has? Not much feedback online.

I have just recently been in contact with Autoflex who makes Trailerflex. I was looking at this project for the spring but I'm on the fence currently. Although it does seem like a good product, there are currently too many unknowns for me to fork over $4200CDN (about $3000USD). My biggest beef is that many of the pictures (the few that there are) are old photos before many iterations and changes. I've asked questions based upon some of the pictures only to be told the pictures showed old designs and the new design was different. I've been told he won't post current assembly pictures on the internet as he's worried about his patent protection and people copying the design. I've also found this is now just a parts kit with only the patent type assemblies welded. The kit is just a loose bunch of parts. One has to weld the trailering arm hangers to the trailer or use an optional track bar (either option has to be welded yourself based upon measurements he'll provide for your application). Some of the pictures allude to complete assemblies which is not the case.

In the end... still on the fence. I think its a very good design that closely mimics the big rig trailer suspension (which is proven)… just the patent holder for trailers our size is stingy at best on information which causes me concern!

[bcdiesel]

I did happen to find his patent on this design...

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20090261551

[Roll With The Changes]

Thanks for the update. I've been looking at this recently as well, and I agree that being stingy with information is cause for concern.

Unfortunately, there are not many options out there for a full air suspension.