Polyair Bellows Vs Airbagman(Firestone)

Submitted: Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:20

ThreadID: 26050 Views:26226 Replies:11 FollowUps:16

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TroopyTracker

G'day,
Trying to decide which make to go with. I was pretty sure the Air bag Man version was the go. All the posts I found here suggest that they are the prefered option. The TJM bloke who installed my rollerdraws even suggested to steer clear of the Polyair version and had the Firestones on his own vehicle. He said he'd had problems with valves popping out of them?? I spoke to the Air Bag Man and of course he says they're the best! I think he said the Polyairs don't have internal bump stops and arn't as thick. He also said I wouldn't need my weight distribution hitch anymore either, even after me explaining that no matter how good his bags are I'm uncertain they can defy basic physics. And this guys advising people every day on this sort of thing-crazy.

Then I talk to suspension bloke who I trust and he reckons there's nothing wrong with the Polyairs. I'm getting the same guy to redo my springs and put some new bushes in and would be simpler to get him to do the bags as well. Although I'm realising as I'm typing this that I'm sure he'd fit the Firestones for me if I wanted.

So thought I'd put it to the crowd. Sorry for long post.

Cheers
Matt

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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:37

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:37

I went thru the same thing, and ended up with Polyairs, theyre proven and yes the may fail but so does everything. I went polyair cause the local guy does them and to save hassles down the track if there is any, if your guy will fit both then go for it, I wanst sure of the US supplier getting the rifht size for the Patrol. So I went with the known.

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AnswerID: 127821

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:53

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:53

Bonz,
I'd be getting the Firestones off Airbag man so correct size wouldn't be a problem. I think we're talking about different bags anyway. I'm after the black ones for leaf sprung vehicles which are good for over 100kgs each.

Cheers
Matt

FollowupID: 382442

Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:59

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:59

ahh yes sorry about that, in that case I have no case your honour,

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Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:27

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:27

no worries Bonz...and I meant to say good for 1000kgs each not 100!

FollowupID: 382454

Reply By: Joe - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:40

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:40

Hi Matt,
I had Polyairs installed for a trip of 12,300km that I have just returned from and can report no problems.
Heavily loaded... crossed North Simpson Desert...spinifex everywhere...Tanami Rd,Bungles,Mcdonald Ranges,Oodnadatta Track,Flinders Ranges ...lots of rough workouts...did the job fine.
Cheers joe

AnswerID: 127822

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:56

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 21:56

Joe,
Sounds good. You are talking about the black bellow type though aren't you? If so thats definantley a vote for the polyairs.

Thanks
Matt

FollowupID: 382444

Reply By: ACDC - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:01

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:01

Air bags don't tranfer weight to front wheels as a distribution hitch does.
Air bags carry the load in the vehicle and d/hitch transfers weight from the back axle to the front axle.
Redoing old springs is a waste of money they will sag again in 12 months,some spring companies but a few extra leaves in to stop this and all you end up with is a crappy ride, the spring steel developes a memory effect .

AnswerID: 127829

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:22

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:22

ACDC,
Try explaining that to the Airbag man, he seriously has no idea re WDH's and really should considering what he sells-Maybe thats it, why tell people that a WDH might be more suitable for their situation when you sell air bags!

As far as reseting springs-depends how a who does it. Bob at Allset springs reset my springs 4 years ago and the only reason they've sagged at all (only in the back) is because I put heaps more gear in! He resets each leaf cold in a press, I believe alot of people heat them up to reset them and it doesn't last. I would never have put new springs in my vehicle had I of known about this guy. He reckons the original Toyota springs give him better results anyway.
Matt

FollowupID: 382451

Reply By: japmel - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:03

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:03

Firestrone are the way to go.

Thicker rubber and better hoses and fittings.

I'm not saying don't go to the Airbag man but check your local TJM they stock Firestone and you may get a better price (save on postage)

Regards
japmel

AnswerID: 127833

Follow Up By: japmel - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:18

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:18

Sorry that should be ARB store they supply Firestone not TJM.

Do what I did go to both ARB (firestone)and TJM (polyair) and compare them, You'll get an idea of what is the better one to get.

I think you will agree the firestone is the better one.

Regards
japmel

FollowupID: 382450

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:24

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:24

Japmel
I'll do that. There's a big ARB and a Mega Store right across the road from each other not far from where I'm at.
Cheers
Matt

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Reply By: Joe - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:10

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:10

Hi Matt,
The ones I had fitted are orange/red in colour...I'm not aware of the" black bellow" type mentioned...hope this helps.
Cheers joe

AnswerID: 127834

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:26

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:26

Joe
Nah, we're talking about different things! Thanks anyway.
Matt

FollowupID: 382453

Follow Up By: ACDC - Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 20:22

Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 20:22

The red bags cope with 500kg the black bellows 2000kg

FollowupID: 382611

Reply By: Joe - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:37

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:37

Matt,
Just checked a few web pages for further understanding/ info on the "black Bellow" type without any luck...only the type I have fitted shown... so have you got a moment to explain why they are different
Cheers
Joe

AnswerID: 127842

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Saturday, Sep 03, 2005 at 23:18

Saturday, Sep 03, 2005 at 23:18

Joe,
If the other posts here haven't given it away the difference is that the black ones are good for about 1000kgs each and are for leaf sprung vehicles-bolted to axle, where you bump stops are. Much heavier basically, and more expensive as not available from the US unfortunatly (for my vehicle anyway)
Matt

FollowupID: 382804

Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:40

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:40

Matt
Airbagman are the Australian agents for the Firestone airbags and bellows.
I think you will find it cheaper to buy them direct from Airbagman than from ARB or TJM etc.

I have them on my Troopy and they are brilliant both on and off road.
a lot of Troopy owners in my 4wd club also have them installed and a lot of guys who post on here have them also. Pretty popular with Troopy owners.

They are simple to fit and you should be able to do it yourself without any drama, I did mine in about 2 to 3 hours easy.

I don't doubt that the Polyair stuff is good, but I don't think Polyair have the right mounting system to suit the Troopy. (Stand to corrected)

If you would like a few photos of them installed on my Troopy drop me your email address and I will email them to you.

Cheers
John

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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 23:19

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 23:19

Corrected I am, Polyair now have a kit for the 75, 78 & 79 series yotas.

So I guess take your pick between the two units.

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Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 18:41

Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 18:41

John,
I read some of your posts re these bags when I did a search and noted you had used the firestones. You steered me the right way last time I asked something on here-Black Widow over Outback draws. I went to the Melbourne caravan show and was amazed at the finish and especially the service with Black Widow over the Outback. As we travel full time having them fitted was going to be a pain, but we worked out where we'd be when they were ready and found a dealer there to fit- included in price, and they now have a lifetime warranty! Only thing I can fault them on is having no handle to pull them out. Can be very hard if on incline with vehicle nose down-especially with the trade height draws stacked full of gear hence the airbags.

So you haven't heard anything to say one make is better than the other then?

Would love to see photos if yo don't mind. email matthewandjodie@hotmail.com

Thanks
Matt

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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 18:59

Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 18:59

Hi Matt
Photos are on the way.
Lots of guys on here have the Polyairs and nobody seems to have any problem with them.
Ken - "Member Lucy" posted below that he has them on his Troopy and he seems happy with them, Others have the ones that fit the coils on other vehicles and all have good comments.

The Polyair people did not have a kit for the Troopy when I went looking, hence I used the Firestone stuff.

Agree about the difficulty of opening the drawers on a slope, Maybe we just need to remember to park nose up not down. LOL.

Cheers

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Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Saturday, Sep 03, 2005 at 23:31

Saturday, Sep 03, 2005 at 23:31

Thanks for the photos John-certainly not much clearence around brake lines. I had wondered how they would clear and it seems by very little!

Think I'll talk to Polyair, try and compare them both in the flesh and go from there.

At least I know how they are supposed to look with your photos.

Thanks again,
Matt

FollowupID: 382808

Reply By: Member - 'Lucy' - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:49

Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 22:49

Troopytracker

First thing you have to come to grips with in this type of debate is that BONZ never has a case to answer. (Thats why his real name is Teflon)

Now down to the real stuff.

I have a Troopy fitted with the black bellows type polyairs.

They have been flogged up & down the Flinders numerous times including Arkaroola, Oodnadatta track, Simpson twice, Cordillo Downs road twice, Strezlecki, Birdsville track, Outback Challenge this year etc etc without a murmur.

Also they enhance the ride stability no end.

A few days ago I decided to relocate the filler valves and required more airline.

Just Rang Polyair in Sydney and it was all delivered next day at the most ridiculous cheap price.

Great company to deal with and will supply airbags for a DIY job, much cheaper than a commercial instal.

I didn't because I thought it was going to be a s h i t knuckle skinning affair. However in hindsight it is a 'piece of urine'. How wrong was I.

Anyway you do what you think best and can sleep easy with, as its your $'s in the end.

Regards

Ken Robinson

AnswerID: 127847

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 18:45

Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 18:45

Ken,
Thanks for that, I'll give Polyair a call to at least defend the Airbagmans claims. They can't be too bad though by the sounds of what you've done with them. A little more stability wouldn't go astray so hopefully they have the same effect on my vehicle

Thanks
Matt

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Reply By: Member - Woodsy - Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 06:48

Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 06:48

Hi TroopyTracker

I had Polyair bags in my GQ and now have Firestone in my GU.

Both good and never had any problems.

Went with the Firestones in the GU 'cos I got sucked in by the advertising and they were easy to install wihout removing the springs.

So! I haven't helped your decision at all but I would definately recommend fitting air bags.

Happy 4 wheeling

Woodsy

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Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 07:03

Friday, Sep 02, 2005 at 07:03

I have had the orange polyairs for about 10 years now they have never let me down pun intended.
They have travelled about 500,000 ks now on 2 60 S criusers.

All the best
Eric

AnswerID: 127866

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Saturday, Sep 03, 2005 at 11:39

Saturday, Sep 03, 2005 at 11:39

All I can say is www.trucksprings.com

I got them off this site about 12 months ago, ordered them the same day received them less than two week later and got them for half the price in the same box they sell them in at ARB. fitted them myself with a mate over a couple of beers (instructions supplied were fanatastic) and never looked back.

AnswerID: 128079