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Old 12-26-2019, 09:40 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Air suspension on a shortie necessary?

We’re on the hunt and are wondering how you,who already own shorties, feel about the necessity of air ride? Seeing a lot coming up on public surplus sight with 545s and no air suspension or ride. I really have no experience driving a bus or big vehicle. All new to me!
Thanks,
Karen

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Old 12-27-2019, 12:24 AM   #2
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Air ride is a nice option but it isn't necessary.



Air ride on short wheelbase buses can smooth the ride out but it can also promote porposing while going down a concrete road with expansion joints.
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Old 12-27-2019, 02:43 AM   #3
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I addressed this on another thread, but I have a shorty with air ride and I feel like it's much smoother than a spring ride would be for a shorty. Good shocks will help with the "porpoising" Cowlitz mentioned (and to be fair, a spring ride suspension will do that too).


Basically, an air ride suspension will adjust itself to whatever level of "springiness" is needed for whatever load it is carrying, leaf springs are set up for a given maximum and no on-the-fly adjustment is possible.
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Old 12-27-2019, 05:44 AM   #4
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I’ve driven shorties with and without and all I’ll say is I’m sure glad both my shorties have it
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Old 12-27-2019, 06:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaleth2 View Post
We’re on the hunt and are wondering how you,who already own shorties, feel about the necessity of air ride? Seeing a lot coming up on public surplus sight with 545s and no air suspension or ride. I really have no experience driving a bus or big vehicle. All new to me!
Thanks,
Karen
I've had shorties and full size buses with both spring and air.
Air ride is a lot nicer but I'd take a deal on anything really. I'm not too picky if a bus is a rust free good runner and is $2500 or less.

My 2004 IC CE300 had spring suspension and it rode pretty well. Way better than the Thomas I had with springs.
I've got a 5 window shorty with air ride since its a Thomas I'm glad its air ride. After having several buses I sorta insist on my bus having it.
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Old 12-28-2019, 11:16 PM   #6
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I have a short bus with worn rear springs. I put air bags above the springs to supplement the springs. Not really air ride. I pump them up with a bicycle pump. It brings the bus up to a normal ride height especially when towing. I can use the air bags to level the back of the bus. I also put sway bars front and back. The sway bars are good for the road. Off road they give the ride rebound over big bumps. Not really suggesting anyone do what I did. Playing with the suspension to get an E350 Collins 4 window to feel less top heavy sway.
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Old 12-29-2019, 12:10 PM   #7
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Finding a good short bus with a good engine/tranny and with low rust is hard enough. I wouldn't worry too much about the suspension. Air ride is a nice option and it rides consistently well. Leaf springs are standard and ride better with weight added. Having good shocks can do a lot for the ride as well. Don't let the suspension be a deal breaker
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Old 12-30-2019, 09:41 AM   #8
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Paul, love that creative idea for your spring breaks. Solomon, thank you for the thoughts on priorities. So many qualities we’re juggling in the decision making process. Hoping we’ve found some we can narrow down. Seems more appearing on horizon with some regularity.
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Old 12-31-2019, 01:03 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pauldaplumber View Post
I have a short bus with worn rear springs. I put air bags above the springs to supplement the springs. Not really air ride. I pump them up with a bicycle pump. It brings the bus up to a normal ride height especially when towing. I can use the air bags to level the back of the bus. I also put sway bars front and back. The sway bars are good for the road. Off road they give the ride rebound over big bumps. Not really suggesting anyone do what I did. Playing with the suspension to get an E350 Collins 4 window to feel less top heavy sway.

I have an E350 Girardin with rusty leaf springs on the rear axle. My dumb ass designed the bus so that the passenger seats are all the way in the back, and my wife says the ride is AWFUL and I'm trying to figure out how to improve it.



Paul, did you install these air bags yourself? Did you do a write up on it or anything? If you had to go back and do it again, would you do anything differently? My wife said she's willing to shell out ~$2,000 to do anything to improve the ride.


Oh, and for the OP, it would be great to find a shorty with air suspension, but I wouldn't make it a requirement--I wouldn't pass on a good, rust free shorty because it lacks good suspension. If you do get simple leaf springs, I'd design your interior to keep your passengers while moving as far forward as possible to alleviate the bounce.
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Old 12-31-2019, 03:21 PM   #10
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I have an E350 Girardin with rusty leaf springs on the rear axle. My dumb ass designed the bus so that the passenger seats are all the way in the back, and my wife says the ride is AWFUL and I'm trying to figure out how to improve it.

SNIP...
My wife said she's willing to shell out ~$2,000 to do anything to improve the ride.
.
Now that your bus is set up. Weigh it. Total weight and individual axle weight.
Go to a good local spring shop if you have one or someone like https://www.alcanspring.com/
if you don't...
Tell them what you want -- they will build it -- you will be happy...
This will probably be a lot cheaper than converting to airbags.
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Old 01-01-2020, 05:13 AM   #11
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Now that your bus is set up. Weigh it. Total weight and individual axle weight.
Go to a good local spring shop if you have one or someone like https://www.alcanspring.com/
if you don't...
Tell them what you want -- they will build it -- you will be happy...
This will probably be a lot cheaper than converting to airbags.

This is good.

Also if you are inclined you can remove a leaf or two to soften the ride, or ask the spring shop about it.
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:29 PM   #12
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Are there any downsides to removing a leaf or two?
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:33 PM   #13
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Are there any downsides to removing a leaf or two?
Only the amount of load you will be able to safely handle.
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:41 PM   #14
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Oh I see. I think I might wait until after I add the last few things to weigh it for that
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:47 PM   #15
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Oh I see. I think I might wait until after I add the last few things to weigh it for that
When it's done, if it still rides harshly, consider removing a leaf to soften the ride. Hard to tell until real world action.
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:59 PM   #16
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exactly, build it and see what it weighs, then if still rough riding remove a leaf or two.
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Old 01-03-2020, 08:24 PM   #17
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Are there any downsides to removing a leaf or two?
more likely to break a leaf?

I've seen plenty of buses for sale on broken leafs, so removing them may be comfier but would probably last a bit less.
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Old 01-03-2020, 08:29 PM   #18
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more likely to break a leaf?

I've seen plenty of buses for sale on broken leafs, so removing them may be comfier but would probably last a bit less.
Were they broken from overloading them because they removed too much, or weren't as light as they thought they would be. That's why it's important to be at full weight before deciding to remove them.
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Old 01-03-2020, 08:32 PM   #19
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Were they broken from overloading them because they removed too much, or weren't as light as they thought they would be. That's why it's important to be at full weight before deciding to remove them.
Broken from running around hauling kids on normal routes man. Its fairly common.
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Old 01-03-2020, 08:34 PM   #20
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Broken from running around hauling kids on normal routes man. Its fairly common.
Normal or abnormal routes of busted up roads. I hit a couple sections on the way home last night that felt like I was going across a washboard with no control
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