air bags
 

is there a good way to keep my trailer air bags from stretching when unloading? I haul heavy single steel coils & I just noticed that I have 3 air bags leaking right at the bottom seam. I noticed this cause of all the rain water bubbling. the 3 that were leaking all all new.( installed within the last 6 months -3 years. the one original bag has no leaks yet. before buying all new bags. AGAIN... what can I do to keep the new ones from stretching until they rip also?

Chains between the frame and axle. You can also hook them shorter to use as a "lift" axle when MT.

Dump your suspension before unloading.

Proper shock absorbers should NOT allow the bags to over-extend.

Are the new bags the proper ones for that application?

It seems strange that the ancient "original" bag is still OK, but the 3 replacements are leaking.

I agree that you should dump the air suspension before unloading.

yes the bags are the correct replacement. I took the old one off & truckpro ran the numbers & gave me the original hendrickson bag. I relate the one not leaking to the same ole. (they dont make em like they used to). I have seen recently a lot of flat bedders with chains that appeared to be hooked in such a way. i dump my suspension valve. it is hooked up to my front axle. it does no good for the back. it would take too long to dump most of the air. I know I have wore out shocks. I guess i could chain the alxle to the frame, since it wont cost me anything & get new shocks on trailer & see if that is the problem. the chains I have seen recently are on newer trailer though & I would not think the shocks would be wore on newer equip. I also have noticed lately that my bags strech so much , that I wonder what has kept them in tact this long. maybe my shocks have worn completely out & that explains more stretching now than in the past. on chaining...I dont want to weld anything. would looping a chain around the axle to directly above around frame & leave limited slack work ?

My Wilson flat has nylon straps around the shocks to prevent over extension.

Check your ride height adjustment, sounds like it may be set too high.

The shocks should "top out" before the airbags over-extend. If they don't they are the wrong shocks. Chains/straps prevent the shock from breaking when the axle suddenly drops down.

I set the height myself shen I replaced the leveling valve a while back. comapared to all others I have noticed, mine are not too high. mine are lower than most all I see. I have just put 1 chain on each axle to the frame, with just enough slack to the maximun height I want allowed. will be gettting new shocks & put them on this week. the shocks are original equip. thanks for all the advice.

so far the chains I installed are working very well containing the air bags to an acceptable level. thanks 4 all the advice