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Fishook1964's avatar
Fishook1964
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018

Air Bag Question

Hi everybody thanks for all the info you guys provide on this site.
I have purchased a new Genesis CK33 5th wheel and although I have pulled trailers my whole life I am new to the 5th wheel.

I pull with a 2016 Ford F250 Super Duty 4X4 6.7 diesel 3000 payload/ 15,000 max 5th wheel capacity.

My trailer has a 13,800 GVWR with a 2150 pin weight.

The truck has all the power it needs to pull it and no scence of overloading felt when pulling.

The problem I am having is with the truck sagging a good 3" when hooked up. So I am looking into Firestone Ride Right air bags.

What I would like to know is will the 5000# bags be ok or should I be looking at the 7500#. I am from the "if some is good, more is better" school but that is not always the best decision.

Will the 5000# handle the payload?

17 Replies

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  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2018
    "The problem I am having is with the truck sagging a good 3" when hooked up."

    May want to read your own words. Pin with your RV loaded will be 2,700-3,000#+. You say your payload is 3K. That includes passengers, hitch toolbox etc.

    Sure add bags but take the combo to the scales to make sure your rear tires will carry the load.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Feb 16, 2018
    Fishook1964 wrote:
    Ok so the spec's on the ford website stating the truck can haul a 15,000# 5th wheel are wrong?

    What am i missing?


    15K fiver @20% pin weight equals what? 3000 pounds. Add that plus 250 pounds for a hitch and your dropping approx 3250 pounds directly over the rear axle. Assuming an average 3500 pounds of dry truck as rear axle weight means you looking at close to 7000 pounds of rear axle weight ready to go. Tire load rating of 3300 or pounds each leaves you already in a negative number. Numbers are not hard to figure. Overloading is likewise not hard to justify for the uninformed.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Feb 16, 2018
    Fishook1964 wrote:
    Ok so the spec's on the ford website stating the truck can haul a 15,000# 5th wheel are wrong?

    What am i missing?


    An actual 15K loaded FW plus hitch wt, could put you over your RAWR, but the one mentioned should not be a problem. Your tires/ wheels are likely same as 350. While adding air bags will not change your stickers, they will give you closer to 350 capability.

    Jerry
  • Fishook1964's avatar
    Fishook1964
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2018
    Ok so the spec's on the ford website stating the truck can haul a 15,000# 5th wheel are wrong?

    What am i missing?
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Feb 16, 2018
    Sooo, your looking at trailers GVWR but the advertised Dry pin weight? Wrong! The trailer is going to drop between 18 and 25% of its true weight directly over the rear axle. Add hitch weight and your very likely going to be over RAWR and tire loading. Just not a good move.

    Save your money and buy more truck.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Feb 16, 2018
    I am thinking the 2150 pin wt is likely dry pin. Your actual pin may be closer to 2600-2700, plus the wt of the hitch. All this aside, I would think the 5000 bags would be enough to level your load. If some is good, more might not be necessary. :)

    Jerry
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2018
    5000 lb bags should work fine. Bags or Timbrens are a great way to help improve your loaded ride and reduce excessive squat. Be forewarned that you're likely going to be told by some guys that you're overloaded, but you're not and you're safe and legal with that combo as long as your vehicle registration is appropriate in your jurisdiction.

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