Adding air bags to tow vehicle questions.

drillagent wrote:

grampscamper wrote:
I'm considering adding air bags to my F250. I have a 2013 F250 with the camper package (350 springs and rear sway bar). I weighed my truck and trailer last year. My truck is under all the ratings except GVWR. Our 5th wheel sits level and has a Mor/ryde pin box. The Mor/ryde drastically reduced the chucking but didn't eliminate it completely. I still get a push / pull feeling when travelling over rough roads. When I hookup the trailer my suspension sags to the point the helpers are engaged. I'm considering adding air bags for 3 reasons:
1. Level my truck.
2. Improve the ride.
3. Reduce the push/pull effect from the 5th wheel while travelling rough roads.
A new truck is not an option at this point so this seems to be the most cost effective solution. I'm not sure a F350 would handle any differently anyway. Will I achieve my goal? I've done a couple of searches and get conflicting information.

I added Air Lift bags to my 2012 F250 and I have the Mor Ryde pin box, so I can answer your questions first hand.

1. Yes, absolutely. You can actually watch the truck level out as you add air.

2. It makes a tremendous difference and does make the ride softer and smoother. But be sure to drop the air pressure down to about 5 lbs. after you drop the trailer. Otherwise it makes the empty truck very stiff.

3. Absolutely NOT. The Mor Ryde pin box will greatly reduce the amount of the push/pull, but you can't get rid of it completely. But now you will have the porpoising effect. Depending on where your hitch is in relation to the axle will determine how much. When I first installed my B&W Companion, I had it set all the way back because I was afraid of blowing out my back window in a tight turn. But it greatly magnified the bouncing. Once I moved it forward a little, the bouncing was reduced, but didn't completely go away. Imagine sitting on an inner tube. It's great going down the road, but I cringe every time I come to a bridge.

My final bit of advice? Get the airbags and get them now. Best MOD I ever did.

Are you saying I will get a porpoising effect with air bags? I don't get porpoising now. My hitch is ahead of the rear axle. The truck and trailer handle quite well but I do get a push pull effect on rough roads. My truck does sag at least 2" with the 5th wheel hooked up. I was hoping that having the truck sit level would improve overall handling and reduce this effect.
Yesterday I found a website with a couple of reviews that stated the push pull effect was greatly reduced with air bags. If you can trust that the reviews are accurate.
What I'm hearing is the air bags are worth the investment.
Thanks everyone for your feedback.