Polyairs for 78 Series Troopy

John, I'm curious about the rear end sag on your 78 series. I drive the 75 series and it does not overly sag with the 250kg load on the towball when I hitch on my boat. The springs got reset many years ago before going on a CSR trip but nothing had changed since on the spring shackle angle.
Do you have a large rear mounted long range fuel tank and perhaps two spare wheels on the back too? If so then the Polyairs might help. I thought about fitting some but would have to remove some spring leaves too to make them worthwhile for everyday driving.
Klaus

John
I've had polyairs on my Playdoe for a couple of years . I put them on for the very reason you are talking about. Sagging in the rear end when towing and carrying a big load. I find them excellent. When empty I run them on about 5psi just to protect them from rubbing or getting caught in something underneath. At thast pressure you don't even know they are there. Fully loaded I run them on 30 psi. I was told to always pump them up fully (?35psi) before you put the load on them, then load the vehicle, attach the towed vehicle and let them down till the vehicle levels out. You will be surprised by the amount of lift they give the rear of the vehicle. Only complaint I have is that they are so small it is difficult to adjust the pressure in them. I would think they probably only hold a litre each. Make sure you get a good pressure gauge with graduations in one or two psi's. I tried one of those automatic compressors they have at some service stations but it couldn't cope with the small amount of air required to make the adjustments. By the way my truck has rear coils which the polyairs fit inside, so I don't know how they will go with leaves.
Tessa

Hey John, i had polyairs on the Explorer and they made a big difference as the Explorer do suffer from bad sag in the rear, it also helped with stability as well as lifting the car too.

Only thing they didn't do was help me float !!!

Baz.

John

Have you worn the poor Troopie out already. Time for a new one mate. LOL

g'day John

Got the Red ones, cause they're faster, in the back of the Jack. Use them when we are fully loaded and towing the boat. Makes a big difference with clearance and leveling out the 4by. Gives a bit more stability when loaded up.
cheers

I've just considered the same for my 79series. But $700 for the polyairs is about the same as a set of new springs. I've actually spend some extra money and got the OME leaf springs as they are allegedly a 2-stage spring. I'll put them on at the weekend and see how they go.

Hi John,

When we lifted the Triton we added Polyaires for towing the camper trailer. Apparently for some vehicles there is a choice of general purpose (red) or heavy duty (black). If you put the two side by side the stronger construction of the black ones is fairly obvious, but only you will know whether the additional $400 is justifiable for your application. They are very easy to fit, even a mug like me can do it, and after sales service from Polyaire in Sydney is excellent. Upon inflation for the first time it was obvious that there was a fault in the construction of one of ours and it was replaced with no questions asked.

The trick with them is to inflate to the maximum of 30psi (no higher!) prior to hooking up the trailer and then lower them until you're happy with the height. With the huge towball weight on the Silhouette camper I run them at the full 30psi. After you are finished towing simply lower them to the minimum 5psi (no lower!) and you don't know they are there. I have left them at 30psi on occasions in the Buckland Vallet for the additional clearance but the ride does tend to get a bit "choppy".

Overall, I think they are a great product. Just make sure if you do fit them that you don't cut the air hoses too short but allow enough additional hose for movement.

Arent the red ones poly fabric & the blacks rubber bellows??
Do a search for Firestone air bags & they can be imported for a fraction of some of those in our 4x4 shops provided U can identify thaose U want on US specified vehicles. Also can get dash mounted kit & compressor to control ride whilst on the move.

John. The experience I've had with fitting the Red Polyairs to leaf sprung vehicles has been unsuccesful. They struggle to keep the vehicle at normal ride height when loaded yet restrict the downward travell. The supporting coil & mounting brackets are a little flimsey for my liking also.
The black bellows type however are excellent & built strong enough for the weight of a troopy. They are rated to 100 PSI unlike the red ones at 30 PSI. A travell mate has them fitted to his 78 tray & gives him the flexability to ride empty or load his Trayon camper & boat on & still remain level. 4 years on & no issues despite overloading his bus up to the Cape & Gulf several times.
Cheers Craig............

Didja check out the direct purchase option from the US to say $ ? See post 17937.

John
I've been thinking of using these Firestone airbags they use them on the NDC Ute's and troopys over here in the west they have them in kit form and are made the same as large truck airbag

ride-rite

AIRBAG MAN
Unit 1, 126 South Pine Rd. Brendale Queensland
Australia
Tel: 07 3889 6556 Fax: 07 3889 6557
Email: info@airbagman.com.au Regards
Richard

John
I've been thinking of using these Firestone airbags they use them on the NDC Ute's and troopys over here in the west they have them in kit form and are made the same as large truck airbag
http://www.ride-rite.com/

AIRBAG MAN
Unit 1, 126 South Pine Rd. Brendale Queensland
Australia
Tel: 07 3889 6556 Fax: 07 3889 6557
Email: info@airbagman.com.au Regards
Richard

Like many of the others I have the "black" Polyair bags under the 75 trayback. They do all and more that any respringing could do, 20psi for an easy ride, 100psi for 5 drums in the back and still a level ride. Same if you have a heavy front on trailer. Mind you, I dont know what sort of back yard mob Toyo. get their springs from! Even the 79's are sagging from nearly new.
Mine are 5 yrs. old, no problems.