Sammy's Belly Down Job

[farmersamm]

Older Great Dane flatbed with air ride suspension. When replacing brake components, thinking I was just about ready to put it on the road...............I found out that the air ride was total trash. Hanging on by a thread. Badly rusted.

I decided to replace the air ride with a Hutch spring suspension.

The obligatory weld pics

 

[farmersamm]

The old gals have done a lot of miles since. Don't even ask about the work that went into the power units(this one, and the LN9000). This was back around 2012 during the Great Drought around here in OK. Hauled hay in from 4 surrounding states.

If you're gonna do one of these.............I really recommend the Hutch system. Excellent factory support, including detailed welding procedures, and installation instructions. A great company with a good product.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I would be concerned if the frame was not as bad as the suspension. I surely would not go back to springs if I had air ride so much nicer ride and smoother ride on rough roads. Yes you do have an air bag to replace once in a while but I think I change only a couple on my step deck in the 20-25 years I used it and still has the original suspension under it. the frame is getting bad now along with the air tanks . Thinking of salvaging the floor boards and axles with some other parts and scrapping the rest of it. I use my detach more than my step anymore.

 

[farmersamm]

I would be concerned if the frame was not as bad as the suspension. I surely would not go back to springs if I had air ride so much nicer ride and smoother ride on rough roads. Yes you do have an air bag to replace once in a while but I think I change only a couple on my step deck in the 20-25 years I used it and still has the original suspension under it. the frame is getting bad now along with the air tanks . Thinking of salvaging the floor boards and axles with some other parts and scrapping the rest of it. I use my detach more than my step anymore.

The suspension was in such bad shape, I didn't see any point in trying to repair it.

And..............this trailer sits in a corner of the yard for literally years between uses. With springs, instead of air ride, it's a lot better for storage. Springs are pretty much a zero maintenance suspension when it comes to intermittent use.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Yes you are right on that count. Bags would rot out in that type use program.

 

[560Dennis]

Nice