Page 1 of 1
Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:17 am
by ockert
I have just bought a new Fortuner which I use to tow an Xplorer off-road caravan which is quite heavy on the towbar. I want to install air springs to re-adjust the level of the Fortuner's rear side when I have the Xplorer hooked up. (I also had these on my Pajero which I have traded in for the Fortuner.) The Fortuner uses coil springs for the rear suspension.
My question now is which type of adjustable air helper kit should I install. I received two quotes from two different suppliers which are almost the same price. The one is for the air bags which fits inside the coil springs of the Fortuner (similar to Firestone's "Coil-Rite" kit). The other quote is where the air bags fits outside/seperate of the Fortuner's coil springs (similar to Firestone's "Ride-Rite" kit.) The last type is similar to that which is normally used on vehicles with leaf springs and apparantly are more heavy duty. See
https://www.firestoneip.com/ride-rite/
I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.
Thanks
Ockert
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:40 am
by Wave
When I bought my Fortuner it already had the helper bags installed inside the coils, it made a huge difference when towing our Gypsey Regal at the time.
I would happily go for them again on stock suspension.
Now that I have EFS suspension there is no need for the bags, I never use them.
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:55 am
by Ricof4e
ockert wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:17 am
I have just bought a new Fortuner which I use to tow an Xplorer off-road caravan which is quite heavy on the towbar. I want to install air springs to re-adjust the level of the Fortuner's rear side when I have the Xplorer hooked up. (I also had these on my Pajero which I have traded in for the Fortuner.) The Fortuner uses coil springs for the rear suspension.
My question now is which type of adjustable air helper kit should I install. I received two quotes from two different suppliers which are almost the same price. The one is for the air bags which fits inside the coil springs of the Fortuner (similar to Firestone's "Coil-Rite" kit). The other quote is where the air bags fits outside/seperate of the Fortuner's coil springs (similar to Firestone's "Ride-Rite" kit.) The last type is similar to that which is normally used on vehicles with leaf springs and apparantly are more heavy duty. See
https://www.firestoneip.com/ride-rite/
I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.
Thanks
Ockert
What is the maximum weight allowable on the towball of the new fortuner - for sake of interest?
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 8:52 am
by Wave
If I recall the towbar is rated @ 2500kgs and the max towable weight is 3000kgs.
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:31 am
by Ricof4e
Wave wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2020 8:52 am
If I recall the towbar is rated @ 2500kgs and the max towable weight is 3000kgs.
I was referring to the maximum allowable weight on the towball - which I think is 260kg.
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:45 am
by Wave
South African law is 100kgs MAX
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 12:18 pm
by Paul#25
Wave wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:45 am
South African law is 100kgs MAX
Even with a big helium balloon tied to the front of my Xplorer caravan I'd be unable to get down to 100kg vertical weigh at the hitch.
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 4:28 pm
by KurtG
Paul#25 wrote:Wave wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:45 am
South African law is 100kgs MAX
Even with a big helium balloon tied to the front of my Xplorer caravan I'd be unable to get down to 100kg vertical weigh at the hitch.
Then you need to get off the tow hitch, fatty
__________________
Flex is overrated
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 4:59 pm
by Paul#25
I need to sit in the back of the Xplorer while Susan drives the whole rig. I'll add weight aft of the caravan axle.
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 5:03 pm
by Mad Manny
I can't help the OP with his choice between the two air suspension options.
All I can say is, I like simple, I'd just go with progressive coils.
Re: Adjustable air helper kits / Air springs advice on Fortuner please.
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:36 am
by Ricof4e
Forgot about progressive coils.. Good idea Manny.
Ockert just make sure it is rated properly and expect some differences in the drive - most time it is minimal.