2.5” Clayton Lift with rear helper Air Bags

[FR33DOM]

So I have a Clayton 2.5” overland plus kit on my JTR. I also put in the Daystar 3/4” spacer to offset the RLD cap weight (and brake line extensions to be safe).

Overall the setup has been perfect but now starting to tow. And have a 30+ day trip coming in June.

I have an opus OP4 trailer (4000 gross wt loaded max) and took it out last night first time.

I didn’t max the weight in the bed or trailer (1/2 full of water) but noticed I’m under 1” of travel left so it is squatting pretty bad. Also setting the Falcon 3.3s to 3 was a must in wind andfast traffic.

Saw a few other threads on this but does anyone have experience with bags like the Air Lift on 2.5” Clayton lift? Can you tell me which kit I need?

@Clayton Off Road

pic for attention (truck and trailer empty):

View attachment 153683

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[brianinca]

Completely not practical to have a WDH with that 360 degree hitch, but really over 3500 lbs you're supposed to have one with towing and the Gladiator.

I've lusted after an OP4 since before we even got our JTR, but that weight and tongue weight have been an on-going concern. We tow a conventional travel trailer >6,000 lbs no sweat, but obviously that's not going anywhere but improved roads.

Air bags are a cheap fix but you'll have to juggle dimensions to match your rear springs: https://smile.amazon.com/LIFT-60818-1000-Air-Spring/dp/B001OMVCIC/

Taking as much as possible from the bed an putting on the trailer will help, and balancing to a 12% tongue weight will help as well - 480 lbs on the bumper vs 600 lbs is a big difference (15% is excessive in my limited experience).

Can you take a trip to the big rig scales?

 

[FR33DOM]

Yeah looking for the “good enough” option. Right now I don’t see getting much more out of the truck. In fact will probably be loaded down more when we do our big trip coming up with more water and gear in the truck.

I’m just seeking if anyone with this lift has gone thru the process of finding the right bag.

Ill just get the measurements done next week when I get back from this trip

 

[10ecHarry]

So I have a Clayton 2.5” overland plus kit on my JTR. I also put in the Daystar 3/4” spacer to offset the RLD cap weight (and brake line extensions to be safe).

Overall the setup has been perfect but now starting to tow. And have a 30+ day trip coming in June.

I have an opus OP4 trailer (4000 gross wt loaded max) and took it out last night first time.

I didn’t max the weight in the bed or trailer (1/2 full of water) but noticed I’m under 1” of travel left so it is squatting pretty bad. Also setting the Falcon 3.3s to 3 was a must in wind andfast traffic.

Saw a few other threads on this but does anyone have experience with bags like the Air Lift on 2.5” Clayton lift? Can you tell me which kit I need?

@Clayton Off Road

pic for attention (truck and trailer empty):

View attachment 153683

So I have a Clayton 2.5” overland plus kit on my JTR. I also put in the Daystar 3/4” spacer to offset the RLD cap weight (and brake line extensions to be safe).

Overall the setup has been perfect but now starting to tow. And have a 30+ day trip coming in June.

I have an opus OP4 trailer (4000 gross wt loaded max) and took it out last night first time.

I didn’t max the weight in the bed or trailer (1/2 full of water) but noticed I’m under 1” of travel left so it is squatting pretty bad. Also setting the Falcon 3.3s to 3 was a must in wind andfast traffic.

Saw a few other threads on this but does anyone have experience with bags like the Air Lift on 2.5” Clayton lift? Can you tell me which kit I need?

@Clayton Off Road

pic for attention (truck and trailer empty):

View attachment 153683

If you already have the springs installed all ye have to do is measure inside the spring up and down. Then The Airlift company can recommenced a proper size bag... I been looking for someone who has Clayton 2.5" springs to get me that measurement because I have that lift kit on order. Would that measurement be the same on your Rubicon as it would be on my sport S ??

 

[FR33DOM]

If you already have the springs installed all ye have to do is measure inside the spring up and down. Then The Airlift company can recommenced a proper size bag... I been looking for someone who has Clayton 2.5" springs to get me that measurement because I have that lift kit on order. Would that measurement be the same on your Rubicon as it would be on my sport S ??

No idea. But it isn’t the easiest to measure once installed. I had my local shop order them from Air Lift but appeantly my size is several weeks out so may have to do this 30 day trip without...

 

[10ecHarry]

I have airlift 1000 kit made for JT in my JT. Have on order 2.5" Claton lift. some guys are putting the airbag for Dodge truck in lifted jeep with spacers. The Dodge bag is a little more narrow than the JT bag. These bags work with the pressure going out against the springs, Not up and down. I called airlift and was told it would be a bad ideal to put more spacers in as it would be pushing down again the bag and that could damage the bag. I may just go ahead and put the bag in the bottom of springs of lift kit. Air lift said that would help some. Poo. Why can't they just make a taller bag??? I ask them that. Was told by someone on facebook Jeep Gladiator site with the Clayton 2.5" that the top to bottom measurement in the rear springs is 16 & 1/4".

 

[FR33DOM]

My local shop handles the airlift kits and they had to order one that fits (they didn't measure anything but they installed the kit so I'll have to verify they got the right fit before we install). That said we had to leave for the trip without the airbags. We have 1600 miles on the trip so far. It handles fine but there is not much uptravel left in the rear...

 

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Found this thread as I have the exact same issue (Clayton 2.5 rears, RSI cap, steel rear bumper, going to be towing a small overland trailer).

I don't think theres a generic-fit Airlift 1000 that will work with the Clayton 2.5s. My rough measurements are about a 5.5" inside diameter, and ~14" spring length inside. Nearest they get is a 4x12" generic airbag and I don't see how it'd be large enough to actually work.

I'm going to try the Timbren SES bumpstops. On a support chat I asked what the total length is:

"jrgd spring is 3 3/4" + 1/2 inch spacer and bracket is 1 11/16"

So 6.25" total length. Measuring from the rear bumpstop mount to the bumpstop pad (EVO 2.5) is juuuust about 7" (bed empty, just the static load with RSI cap) . With the daystar .75 spacer, total length 7.75". Timbren says you need between .5 and 1.5" space between the SES bumpstop and the pad for it to work correctly. I'm thinking I'll just get the Clayton rear bumpstop spacers with their .5 adjustable pads, and it should be G2G.

if you actually get airbags that fit/work, please update

 

[22EcoDs]

Which airbags did you end up running for the 2.5" clayton?

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