Air Shocks???

[s6skuzy]

I had recently installed the AirLift 1000 on my Pilot and I am not completely satisfied with the performance. We are towing an 18.5 ft boat with a tongue weight of about 325lbs. I would love to install some air shocks instead, but it doesn't seem that anyone makes them for a Pilot. I submitted a request to the ShockShack and they stated:

There are no shock specs listings for the 04 Pilot.....BUT, if you will send the following info,

1. Collapsed length
2. Extended length (measure from tip to tip)
3. Describe the End mountings on the shock (include sizes of all bolt
holes)

With this info, WE CAN furnish Gabriel (SELF-ADJUSTING) Gas Truck shocks for ....$58.00 PAIR....WE PAY POSTAGE.

Has anyone tried to order shocks in this manner and/or what are your thoughts on placing a shock on that is not specifically made for the Pilot?

Thanks

[chas22]

I was looking at the Air Lift 1000 for my pilot. What is it that you don't like?

[s6skuzy]

We haul a 18.5 foot boat with about a 325 Lbs tongue weight. Once the bags are full, there appear to bulge through the springs. Seeing that and the fact that some are having the bags leak after a couple years concern me. I wouldn't want a failure of this product while on a trip. Also, I don't feel a lot of improvement in the handling when towing.

[rocky]

I think there are two things going on here.

1: Car feels nose light/tail heavy
2: Loss of control; due to heavy rear load

They are interrelated of course with the same cause. Weight on the tail from all the stuff inside and the trailer weight.

Control: A set of shocks clearly called for here. My favorite Bilstein doesn't list any shocks......I'm shocked shocked!!!!
The Ody has shocks for it....so I wonder what the difference is. (Radio call to TIM come in you're needed!)

Shocks would make a big difference. An alternative also not apparently available is the Sachs Nivomat, a replacement shock that has built in load leveling capability. Used in Range Rovers as long ago as 1971, currently in Volvo xc90 and others.

We need to start pestering these companies for their products!!!

[chas22]

The reason I was looking at the Air Lift 1000 was because I drove from Okla. to Gulf Shores and back and wore the tread of of the inside of my rear tires off. There was 4 adults and 2 children in the Pilot with misc. vacation stuff. I had the luggage in an aluminum type basket carrier in the hitch with luggage in it. I don't believe that it was over the tongue weight limit. The negative camber was bad. I think Honda made a mistake with the Pilot, Odyssey, and the Ridgeline, by not using a straight axle on the rear. What good is a truck if it can't carry anything. By the way the 3 Honda's I just mentioned has NO way to adjust the camber if the springs ever settle, you just have to buy new springs.

[Paul.V]

hmm, has anyone else tried these or found airshocks? I've used the airlift on Pontiac minivan & worked great but I dont like the idea of having to cut off the 'jounce bumpers' in the middle of the coil....
Also there doesnt seem to be much airbag to give any real lift..
What about stiffer coils?

Chass22, that tongue weight is alot for a boat...I have 19' with only 100lb tongue weight...boat trailers are longer and dont need the same 10% tongue load. Can you move your axel? I never have any sway problems with my boat.