Does anyone use a bladder under their suspended dragsters in the trailer anymore? I've had one for years and was looking for another and it appears as tho they are non existent to buy at the moment!

Yes we do, two actually, one larger round and one rectangular one. There is no one making them anymore. Raw materials issue from what I was told. We are actually actively looking for two now for new car

I've never towed a dragster without one. But I've had the same bladder since buying my first dragster in 2001.

I always hauled mine with a Macs chassis air bladder, I still use it under the front suspension of my PST to protect the Lamb struts since I back it in and the nose is at the very back of the trailer.

I just checked Macs tie down website and it is no longer listed...

I got lazy & stopped using it for a while but then I opened up the trailer one day to find pieces from a broken rubber bumper from one of my shocks on the trailer floor. My shocks were old and I'm sure the bumpers were brittle, but that told me that at some point during the tow my shock bottomed out and I have never had that happen on the racetrack or in the pits. That was enough of an eye=opener for me to go back to using a bladder.

Learn from my mistakes. At any cost get one....



I know some guys that even use a 4x4 with a top layer of rubber say cut from a mud flap. No issues

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TD3550,

Watch facebook
I have seen several on there for sale

You should look at some of the aftermarket air bag helper springs, and build one.
Maybe even a couple of Air/Lift bags laying horizontal?

I went to look for a chassis bag, couldn't find one. But I did find an air jack that went down to 4.5 inches, which works the way the dragster is parked in the trailer.

https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-S...07-3f4e65a4b666&th=1

quote:

Originally posted by diceman1530:
Watch facebook
I have seen several on there for sale

And the chassis bladders seem to be high on scammers lists for sure. I have tried any times and still looking. Either get beat out of they are scammers. But have to keep trying

What about one of the off road air bag jacks?

Looks like this would be super easy to make work for the need.

https://www.amazon.com/maXpeed...ps%2C151&sr=8-6&th=1

I think the issue with some of the other options is the bags are not as thick as the Mac's bladders. Those things are sturdy and thick.

quote:

Originally posted by Al Alguire:
I think the issue with some of the other options is the bags are not as thick as the Mac's bladders. Those things are sturdy and thick.

No argument on them being thick, sturdy and the right tool for the job but not being available anymore throws a kink in things.

How much are they worth I’ve got two…

One a short wheelbase car especially a suspended car I do not think they are needed and a waste of time and money.

On a long wheelbase car like dragster especially a hard tail I think they are required. I know my 225" Front Engine Dragster would flex and bounce real bad if not secured and supported with bag. It is the chassis flex on the long FED that makes it work on the track and also what tears it up towing.

I used a Mac's bladder bag I bought at Summit. Quick search and looks like everyone is out now so they may not be made any more?

One thing you could do would be to use an overcenter lever to put under car and support it where needed. I have seen something similar people made somewhere. Maybe for towing Jr Dragsters around? You just need something to raise it maybe an inch or two and keep it from bouncing up and down.

If you had to may be able to raise rear of car and put 4" x 4" wood block (or what ever thickness needed) under car then strap car down. You want it on the chassis close to center of gravity.

One other possibility which in long run may be as quick and easy as a bladder is making or using something like this. Use a floor jack, raise car up and put these under chassis. Could be as simple as a wooden block with V cut in it. Would basically do same thing as a bladder. Support chassis from flexing and bouncing.
https://halfscale.com/product/tow-dolly-saddle/