Roadmaster Active Suspension
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Roadmaster Active Suspension
I have a triple purpose '96 Bronco and am constantly looking for compromises. The uses are: spare vehicle for driving around town and hauling loads, four-wheeling (rock crawling), and towing a 25' travel trailer.
I would like to increase the stability and decrease body lean while towing but not decrease the suspension travel and clearance off road. I do not have the rear anti-sway/stabilizer bar and am thinking I don't want to go with one since that will decrease my ability off road. It seems everyone with air bags eventually has to replace them, sooner rather than later, because they damage them or they just go plus they aren't really stated to help with body roll. I already have extra leaves because of my lift and it still could use some extra stability. Traction bars would decrease clearance off road and isn't stated to help with sway.
All this makes me look at the Roadmaster Active Suspension system (www.activesuspension.com), but I wonder how it performs off road.
Anyone using this off road? What experiences have you had with it?
I would like to increase the stability and decrease body lean while towing but not decrease the suspension travel and clearance off road. I do not have the rear anti-sway/stabilizer bar and am thinking I don't want to go with one since that will decrease my ability off road. It seems everyone with air bags eventually has to replace them, sooner rather than later, because they damage them or they just go plus they aren't really stated to help with body roll. I already have extra leaves because of my lift and it still could use some extra stability. Traction bars would decrease clearance off road and isn't stated to help with sway.
All this makes me look at the Roadmaster Active Suspension system (www.activesuspension.com), but I wonder how it performs off road.
Anyone using this off road? What experiences have you had with it?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Not sure on the suspension, but the real reason that you're not happy with the towing performance of the Bronco is its short wheelbase. It's great for wheeling, but it sucks when towing a trailer. Personally, I'd never tow a 25' travel trailer behind a Bronco. Way too dangerous. I'd much rather have a fullsize pickup, preferably with an extended cab. The longer the better.
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Hey Andym,
I have a larger vehicle to tow the trailer most of the time, so the Bronco is only a back-up/occasional tow vehicle. I expected it to be much worse in towing than it is and I would go to a Hensley if I were towing with the Bronco more often. My wife calls me "Mister Overkill" and I usually go way past normal safe on things, so I totally get where you are coming from with saying to go to a longer wheelbase. Since it is only occasionally used to tow the trailer I was looking for something that would help, but not compromise in the other uses, and not be too expensive. The Roadmaster Active Suspension looks like it could be a great addition to the truck, but I wanted to hear from others that have been there and done that. My main concern is not how much it will help with the towing, but will it limit me off road. Thanks.
I have a larger vehicle to tow the trailer most of the time, so the Bronco is only a back-up/occasional tow vehicle. I expected it to be much worse in towing than it is and I would go to a Hensley if I were towing with the Bronco more often. My wife calls me "Mister Overkill" and I usually go way past normal safe on things, so I totally get where you are coming from with saying to go to a longer wheelbase. Since it is only occasionally used to tow the trailer I was looking for something that would help, but not compromise in the other uses, and not be too expensive. The Roadmaster Active Suspension looks like it could be a great addition to the truck, but I wanted to hear from others that have been there and done that. My main concern is not how much it will help with the towing, but will it limit me off road. Thanks.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: eastern iowa
Originally Posted by andym
It's great for wheeling, but it sucks when towing a trailer.
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I don't have any sway with the 25' TT, just a bit too much leaning and bouncing when it's back there for my preference. A lot of that could be the hitch weight at 13.7% and having dual axles on the trailer. I do keep the speed down more with the Bronco, but part of that is because I don't have a big block like in my other tow vehicle.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Longview, TX
I'm not familar with the Roadmaster. My employer installed some similar leveling springs on an overloaded Ranger which are some bolt on leaf to the bottom. It brought the rear end up but now rides like a bob tail truck even when loaded. It almost reminds me of an 18 wheeler before air suspension came along.
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I would install the anti-sway bar. If your worried about offroad, get a locker. If one wheel is off the ground, you still have traction. I tow alot with a long (light) trailier and have no problem. The short wheelbase is bad for towing, but the short distance from rear axel to hitch is good for towing. (5th wheel is best right over the axel)
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I have used the RoadMaster system twice now.The first was on a1984 BroncoII.Fantastic results!If you have ever driven one of those little Broncos,then you know how they like to bounce side to side.The RoadMaster system elliminated at least 80-85 % of that.I just put a system on my 1995 Bronco.Have not towed anything after the install,but I have noticed an improvment in overall handling.It takes a lot less steering input to go straight down the hiway.The RoadMaster system will show-up weak front shocks if they are indeed near time to replace.That was the case with the '84 and with this truck I might replace the front shocks soon, as the front seems a little bouncy after the install.It is a system that I would recommend(for what ever that is worth).
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Thanks for all the replies. I have lockers, so I'm not worried about getting traction with the other wheel, just the suspension travel. It puts a lot more stress on the axle when one wheel is hanging in mid-air while the other wheel is on the ground. I would hate to bust an axle or one of it's components because of a situation with the anti-sway bar. Of course if there were no options, I would have to go that route for more peace of mind.
Thanks 460srule for your reply. It's really good to hear from someone that has the Roadmaster system. The price seems very reasonable and it's many abilities with few drawbacks sounds great. Have you had it off road? Noticed any difference there? Thanks.
Thanks 460srule for your reply. It's really good to hear from someone that has the Roadmaster system. The price seems very reasonable and it's many abilities with few drawbacks sounds great. Have you had it off road? Noticed any difference there? Thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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The off-roading that I do is for ice-fishing and I put the system on after the season.The RoadMaster system does stablize the body and helps control the side to side bounce on pot-holes and rough ground.Also helps when towing.My trailers are smaller units,so can't tell you what happens with a heavy trailer but I think it would help a lot.