Helper Springs

[d_wildemann]

My TV is a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. I'm towing a 13' Casita with full bath weighing in at 2000 lbs. This is at the upper limit for the Sonata. I'd like to install helper springs or air assist springs for the car but can't find any for this model. Anyone know of a work around?

-Don

[Marv]

Don,

Does your vehicle have coil springs? If yes, you might want to call tech support at Air Lift. They list air bag kits for some Hyundai models (not yours) and they might be able to recommend something that will fit. If you can, measure the space inside in the springs with the weight on the wheels.

Firestone makes a competing product but I don’t think their tech support is available by phone.

BTW, I have the Firestone air bags on my Pathfinder and the improvement is amazing.

Marv

[John Perry]

Air Lifts have my vote also if you can get them. I have them on my Tacoma PU. I don't need them to pull my trailer but I have an overhead camper that weighs about 1200 lbs and it sets the truck down pretty good.
The Air lifts are great and when I don't need the extra lift I reduce the air pressure to 10 lbs. and do not know they are there.

Good luck,
John

[Joe MacDonald]

I have airlift as well, and also air shocks for the factory ride level control
Joe

[BobB]

I can't find where the Hyundai Sonata is rated for towing a travel trailer. Maybe they're trying to tell you something!

[Darwin Maring]

JC Whitney at www.jcw.com has all sorts of universal air bag / shock / and other lift devices.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Please keep in mind that helper springs or air bags or adjustable shocks will improve slightly the handling of the rear end by stiffening it a bit but they do NOT really do anything but raise the rear of the body above the rear axle to give the appearance of a level, unloaded vehicle.

They do NOT increase the weight or towing restrictions of the vehicle and the do NOT move any of the cargo or tongue weight to the front axle/wheels/suspension. You could actually get the same effect by jacking up the rear end and inserting pieces of 2x4 between the springs and frame...

[andy s]

Try this site. http://rockymountainsusp.com/SuperSprings_leaf.htm
I put these on my 04 nissan frontier. They were a little hard on the ride for a short time but they have broke in and now you don't notice them unless you are towing and they really work! Also they are so much less work to install!

[Joe MacDonald]

Pete, I only added the air bags to help level the van, now my hitch doesn't bottom out on sharp bumps or grade changes at driveays
Joe

[Pete Dumbleton]

I added air bags to my old '82 Dodge D150 just to keep the whole rig level (helps the air flow under the truck body) and to stiffen the rear suspension. Had some problems with leakage and also from the fact that the bags for my light-duty truck were the same as for the biggest Dodge trucks, so they were practically uninflated.

If I were doing it over again, I would put on the steel overload springs for the truck's weight range; the kind that don't even touch the stock springs until they are needed. OTOH, if I was hauling a lot of differing loads in a long-bed then I would prefer the adjustable air bag springs.