Porterbuilt DM & Safety

[lolo_64]

Been lookin at the forums for while..

I have a 64 longbed. Want a PB DM. But is seems like no one really talks about when the bags go out? i have seen the the other post on reg bump stops on lower arms. Are there any solutions out there for PB method? I mean if your front bag goes out your basically screwed right? Any of you guys had a bag go out with a DM? I love the way the DM trucks look, but is it worth it? It seems kinda scary to be driving on the highway at 60 and your always freaking out if the bags are going to go out? I understand the nature of the beast to have some draw backs, but kinda seems like a big deal?

Thanks guys!

[roofingbloke]

This is a very good point, scuff point with either bag blow out or flat tyre,

I dont think its fair to just point out PB, without mentioning others also,

from what i can see PB do great ammounts of research on there products before offering them to the likes of us,

[OARNGESI]

You can put a bumpstop so if it fails itll be raised enough to drive then take them out for shows

[newagecustom]

I have been driving bagged trucks for 10 years, never had a bag blow out. Lost a few airlines though. Everything now is 4 corners so if you lost a bag or airline or valve it's usually going to be 1 corner only. I've never almost wrecked or lost control of a truck because of a corner going down, but if it worries you that much bags probably aren't for you.

[edflores]

I remember i drove like 20 miles with my front right down because of a blown line. Not cool. I had a line on my tank rip because my muffler was too close and I had only about 20 seconds till i laid out flat on the freeway.Im lucky I had no radio, and heard the pssssss.

Moral of the story, route your line were it wont get piched, burned, or caught on anything.
Bags dont blow for no reason if they are properly installed.

[broey]

ehhh, don't worry about it, slam your ride and drive it like you stole it...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolo_64

Been lookin at the forums for while..

I have a 64 longbed. Want a PB DM. But is seems like no one really talks about when the bags go out? i have seen the the other post on reg bump stops on lower arms. Are there any solutions out there for PB method? I mean if your front bag goes out your basically screwed right? Any of you guys had a bag go out with a DM? I love the way the DM trucks look, but is it worth it? It seems kinda scary to be driving on the highway at 60 and your always freaking out if the bags are going to go out? I understand the nature of the beast to have some draw backs, but kinda seems like a big deal?

Thanks guys!

Specifc & careful routing of your airlines are the number one priority. The airline failure is the bigger concern vs. a bag blowing-out or failing instantly. As most others mentioned, set it up so that it's limited @ full drop (don't build it to lay the frame rails on the ground).

[1LoC10]

about 12 years ago my compressor burned out on my s10 and I drove it slammed and tucking the lip of 16's for like a week...lol

[tech@scottshotrods]

I've been in the air suspension market since 99 and I have never seen a bag or line just blow, it has ALWAYS been from install or user error not enough clearance, not using rubber grommets, running lines to close to the exaust etc... even While at air ride all our tow rigs were on air, our 30 plus cars etc never any issues... make sure the bag doesn't rub, make sure the bags are kept with in there perameters, make sure you anly use D.O.T lines and fittings and you are good

[PBFAB.COM]

You are spot on to question the safety of a frame-laying truck... as it has the potential to be very dangerous to yourself and others that share the roadways.

As many have mentioned, the key to enjoying a truck that has been extremely lowered is careful research, quality components, and proper installation.

Like John and others have mentioned, it is almost unheard of that a line or bag fails when it is properly installed. There is the possibility of this occuring even with proper installation and quality components, so it is best to plan your build with some safetys built in.

I would recommend making some removable suspension stops that will keep your rails from laying on the ground in event of an air suspension failure. You can run these stops for your everyday driving, and remove them for the shows when you want to make sure everybody knows that your frame lays on the ground!

Arm yourself with knowledge and the right components so you can help ensure a safe and fun experience for all involved.

[lolo_64]

Awesome!! Thanks guys for your feedback? I was not tryin to throw PB under the bus. Its just the way I am going to go when I get the $$ together.

Porterbuilt is there and documentation on the removable suspension stops? I will love to see how to do this..

[tech@scottshotrods]

I did a set on my buds truck all we did was take a piece of square tubing notched it drilled a hole through the arm and tubing attached it to the arm with a pin to make it easy to remove and mounted a stop on the top half

[Painter D]

In a worst case scenario if you have bump stops installed you'll probably be fine, if safety is your biggest concern just run bumpstops and don't worry about it.


I had a front bag deflate on me once at 110 MPH!, fortunately I have bump stops installed ,if I wouldn't of had them who knows what would have happened. ........Yes, it scared the s#$% out of me.

[tonythezeek]

Originally Posted by 69chevyshort

In a worst case scenario if you have bump stops installed you'll probably be fine, if safety is your biggest concern just run bumpstops and don't worry about it.


I had a front bag deflate on me once at 110 MPH!, fortunately I have bump stops installed ,if I wouldn't of had them who knows what would have happened. ........Yes, it scared the s#$% out of me.

okay, i gotta know... why 110 MPH?
...and "why not" is an acceptable answer.

[Mad Rods]

Cut a 2x4 to bag ride height, carry a low profile car jack, a 1/2 wrench, a 9/16 wrench & an 8" crescent. Them things will get you out of a bind!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Painter D]

Originally Posted by tonythezeek

okay, i gotta know... why 110 MPH?
...and "why not" is an acceptable answer.

I was on a rural road in a rural area , and no one else was on the road,

I had recently installed my 502 big block and wanted to open it up to see what it would do. When I lifted my foot off the accelerator pedal I kicked my dump switch. I have "not" gone that fast in the truck again. Like I said it scared the crap out of me




Sorry to threadjack

[N2TRUX]

Two words...bump stops. No matter how well the system is engineered, it is virtually impossible to guarantee 100% that it can't fail. Mine did, and it had nothing to do with the air system install.

I hit a small but very deep pot that wasn't visible till it was too late. This caused my frame to twist enough that weld ripped loose on my high flow catalytic. The result was my exhaust is now being routed down the frame rails directly at the supply line to my valves. The end result was system failure at highway speeds.

Even though my truck doesn't lay frame, this failure would have put my front tires in the fenders hard, and my A-arms on the ground. Fortunately I had insisted that bump stops were a part of the system, and was able to limp safely to a roadside rest area.

The only thing hurt was my wallet from the wrecker bill that got me home.

[mullit]

am i the only one that carries spare parts for emergancy situations? a bag, some air line a couple fittings oh yeah a back up bottle of nitrogen plumed into the system if a compressor fails. not gonna cover all situations but it will cover most. never had any problems outside of a blown compressor fuse, but who dosent carry spare fuses.

[KQQL IT]

12 years and 1.5 million miles in 3 different peterbilt all on air ride. Never had a bag failure.
Posted via Mobile Device

[andrewmp6]

Add roadside to your car insurance most will tow it home or the closest garage.Most i seen fail was air lines ran too close to exhaust or moving parts.

[tech@scottshotrods]

I use to carry a splice fittings, and spare air line

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jon@scottshotrods

I use to carry a splice fittings, and spare air line

x2. I've even loaded up a 'spare' bag for road trips. I just compressed the bag fully & put clear tape over the port to keep it compressed for easy storage. Never used it....