AIR RIDE FRONT AXLE?

I’ve only had 1 truck with an air ride front and it was a Volvo like 6 years ago. Tires were fine, I didn’t notice the ride quality at all, except on sharp turns it felt like the truck had more body roll.

 

Most steer axle air ride setups I've seen just use a lighter spring with an airbag to help support the axle.

 

You need to specifically track down PACCAR owners spec’ing a KW/Pete, as it’s a totally different setup from a Volvo. Zero comparison in ride, as well. The KW air ride is much nicer.

You definitely want the AirGlide 380 rear suspension, if it fits into your operation’s weight rating. The PACCAR rear suspension rides like garbage.

 

I’ve been driving a 389 with factory air ride front 13,200. 800,000 on the clock and as far as tire wear……a bad shock is the only problem that is exacerbated by air bags. You can’t run bad shocks!

 

ETA: I highly doubt that you are saving weight.

 

Can't see how tire wear would be any different, should still be a solid axle like spring ride is.

 

I had a steer tire blow out on an 07 columbia with the air ride front axle.


That was fun, not only did the left front tire blow, half the hood, blew the fender off, the tire cap wrapped around and blew the airbag, and also knocked off the brake chamber and the air line.

I called the company and told them i blew a tire and needed a tow truck, dude said you mean service truck?

After i told him the extent, i was towed to joplin freightliner were i waited 2 days to be fixed, which was kinda quick, i thought.

Front airbags are ok, til the unexpected happens.

Still don’t know where that headlight assembly went..