Air bags improved ride while not towing?

The difference in ride between stock, and 5 psi in the bags is about the difference with the spare under the bed, or on the garage floor. At 5 psi they are supporting about 50 lbs, there is far more change empty from shocks, loaded it is airbags. Most trucks without overloads loaded ride better with airbags then stock.

The biggest improvement to the ride on my 08 F250 were the Bilstein shocks. The original ones had 62k on them and had very little rebound left.

During the same week I installed Air Lift 5000 "ultimate" bags. They have the internal bounce or "jounce" stop that allows you to run the bags empty. Many manufacturers recommend a minimum bag pressure of 5 psi to prevent damage to the bags should your suspension actuate enough to compress the bags.

Running the bags empty, I can't say I have noticed any real difference in ride (not better not worse).

I also installed new sway bars during the project, these made a big difference in the ride and handling. On relatively flat roads, these keep the truck level in turns and on-ramps. On uneven roads, they will make the truck jerk back and forth because of the reduced flex. This can be annoying on the Pennsylvania roads.

We've since taken the truck on an 8 hour road trip and I am still happy with the entire package.

Besides new shocks or something like the R4Tech or Kelderman suspension systems ($$$$$$), I don't think there is much you can install that will improve the empty ride on an HD truck.

Good luck with your decision.

OJ

KATOOM wrote:
Well I have to say that this is the most "honest" air bag thread I've read. I've inquired about this very question before when researching Timbrens verses airbags and usually airbag guys love their airbags so much that they'll never admit that there IS a ride difference unloaded. Something I would have been pretty upset to find out after spending $500 for airbags.....and.....drilling the frame. Currently I'm happy with my Timbrens.

Now this is interesting. My bags cost 300 and a few bucks and the frame does not have to be drilled anywhere. Where did you get that information. It shure could be misleading for the folks that are inclined to follow the lemmings. :h

Norskeman wrote:
Go with the air bags and Bilstein shocks - the OEM shocks were toast after 22,000 miles.

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 air bags
Bilstein 5100 shocks "std yellow shocks"

I totally agree. I went with the PacBrake air bags.

Randu wrote:
I don't notice any difference in ride with or without airbags for normal "not towing" driving. Truck is stiffer if unhooked with 40# in bags. Air bag mfg recommends 5# minimum when not needed and truck rides like factory. They are a huge help in leveling the load and restoring normal spring travel when hooked up. Randu

I run 30# in mine towing with 4,500# pin weight and it evens out the ride but does not change the ride height at that psi.

I run 5psi empty and I can't tell any difference compared to when I had no bags.

0-5 lbs empty.... 20-30 towing... Not a huge difference empty with that amount on mine...Joe

Dave H M wrote:
I know that the boogy man will get me for this but i let mine down to zero for running empty. I cannot really tell the difference empty and at zero on the F250.

And i been doing it for going on 2 trucks and 15 years now and still doing it.

I know they say not to get below 5 PSI but we used the same bags on a device at work (vibe table) and would sometimes leave the Firestone bags deflated and creased for a year or more at a time on our spare unit. All of these bags were 20+ years old but we never had a failure.
I think they're a lot tougher than we think.

Well I have to say that this is the most "honest" air bag thread I've read. I've inquired about this very question before when researching Timbrens verses airbags and usually airbag guys love their airbags so much that they'll never admit that there IS a ride difference unloaded. Something I would have been pretty upset to find out after spending $500 for airbags.....and.....drilling the frame. Currently I'm happy with my Timbrens.

My 2011 F-350 road VERY stiff while not towing. Roads with frost heaves or raised culverts caused a big "slam - bang" when the rear wheels crossed. Now, while not towing and running 9 psi in my Firestone airbags, when driving over those same bumps on the road, the ride has smoothed out and there is much less pounding on the rear axel and on the passengers. It feels a lot like riding on air cushion with a much more forgiving / gentle "bounce" when traveling over rough spots.

Lakeside

I know that the boogy man will get me for this but i let mine down to zero for running empty. I cannot really tell the difference empty and at zero on the F250.

And i been doing it for going on 2 trucks and 15 years now and still doing it.