air bags on truck to prevent porpoising

Oldme wrote:

TXiceman wrote:

Oldme wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
Quiet frankly, an F250 is not enough truck for your trailer. The added 1000# springs do not increase the trucks weight rating.

Some times the truck bouncing is cause by too light of a pin weight.

Ken

I think ypu missed the part where the truck was RE-CERTIFIED
for the new capacity.

Tampa Spring, where his was done, is licensed to RE-CERTIFY
for the change in load capacity.

The only true certification is by the original manufacturer or a factory certified upfitter.

Ken

Correct.
That is WHY Tampa Spring can re-certify.

Actually this (567.7) is why. There is no requirement to be a factory certified upfitter.

TXiceman wrote:

Oldme wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
Quiet frankly, an F250 is not enough truck for your trailer. The added 1000# springs do not increase the trucks weight rating.

Some times the truck bouncing is cause by too light of a pin weight.

Ken

I think ypu missed the part where the truck was RE-CERTIFIED
for the new capacity.

Tampa Spring, where his was done, is licensed to RE-CERTIFY
for the change in load capacity.

The only true certification is by the original manufacturer or a factory certified upfitter.

Ken

Correct.
That is WHY Tampa Spring can re-certify.

I think you raise a good point about the shocks, I will have them checked when they install the airbags as well.

It is not correct that only the manufacturer can certify the truck. Tampa Springs put a certified sticker on the truck, and gave me written documentation on the re-certification as well.
That is enough to satisfy me.

Is everybody forgetting what they are doing with the new Ram trucks, with the air ride. Its modified leaf springs ,and a set of airbags. Not a whole lot of difference then just adding a set of airbags to your truck, and a whole lot cheaper.

I am not a certified mechanic and had the same problem. After getting advice on this site I followed one persons advice of putting on new shock absorbers. That took care about fifty percent of the problem. We are gone five months at a time and I still grew weary of the bouncing so I went all out and purchased a Trail Saver TS3 fifth wheel hitch. Now our trips are calm and pleasurable. It really did the trick. We drive a Chevy 3500 4 by 4 dually and pull a 36 foot DRV Elite Suites with a pin weigh of about 3600 lbs. Thats my story and I hope it helps you in someway. Safe travels, David

AH64ID wrote:

rgstarnes wrote:
The porpoising occurs when crossing a bridge or other indentation in the road, and is short lived. It isn't a major problem, but if air bags help take it out, then I am in favor of adding them. I have talked to quite a few campers who have added air bags, and it seems they think it helps. At this point it is a done deal, as they will install them Tuesday, and my next trip in August to Yellowstone will give them a good test.
The beauty of this forum is that you get a good sampling of opinions, which in my mind, is very positive, even if you don't agree with everyone who responds. And for that, I thank all of you.

Because the spring rate changes with so little travel on airbags they may help and they may make it worse.

What you are describing is exactly what worn-out or improper shocks will do.

I love airbags and what they do, but they should be secondary for your issue.

It never amazes me how reluctant people are to believe the difference a great set of shocks can make!

With our 2001 Ram 2500, we are over GVWR, but under all axle. We had a couple extra cycles when crossing bridge and overpass transitions, Bilstein 5100's on the TV and shocks on both axles of the 5er WORLD of DIFFERENCE!

We DON"T have or need bags, they are just another spring, they don't control bounce.

rgstarnes wrote:
The porpoising occurs when crossing a bridge or other indentation in the road, and is short lived. It isn't a major problem, but if air bags help take it out, then I am in favor of adding them. I have talked to quite a few campers who have added air bags, and it seems they think it helps. At this point it is a done deal, as they will install them Tuesday, and my next trip in August to Yellowstone will give them a good test.
The beauty of this forum is that you get a good sampling of opinions, which in my mind, is very positive, even if you don't agree with everyone who responds. And for that, I thank all of you.

Because the spring rate changes with so little travel on airbags they may help and they may make it worse.

What you are describing is exactly what worn-out or improper shocks will do.

I love airbags and what they do, but they should be secondary for your issue.

Oldme wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
Quiet frankly, an F250 is not enough truck for your trailer. The added 1000# springs do not increase the trucks weight rating.

Some times the truck bouncing is cause by too light of a pin weight.

Ken

I think ypu missed the part where the truck was RE-CERTIFIED
for the new capacity.

Tampa Spring, where his was done, is licensed to RE-CERTIFY
for the change in load capacity.

The only true certification is by the original manufacturer or a factory certified upfitter.

Ken

The porpoising occurs when crossing a bridge or other indentation in the road, and is short lived. It isn't a major problem, but if air bags help take it out, then I am in favor of adding them. I have talked to quite a few campers who have added air bags, and it seems they think it helps. At this point it is a done deal, as they will install them Tuesday, and my next trip in August to Yellowstone will give them a good test.
The beauty of this forum is that you get a good sampling of opinions, which in my mind, is very positive, even if you don't agree with everyone who responds. And for that, I thank all of you.

Unless the tires are what is causing the proposing (or perception of) moniton a DRW wouldn't do anything for the proposing... Plenty of other reasons why a DRW would better for that trailer but if the suspension is proposing then it won't matter much, if any.

Shocks are the #1 place to start as the springs cannot be controlled with the OEM shocks (which are likely the same SRW or DRW).

The DRW suspension is a little stiffer but an additional 1K in spring rating is going to put them on par with a DRW, or very close.

Airbags would help a little but not as much as good shocks.

The rear tires may also be near max capacity and that can make the truck feel like it is proposing, but really it's just the tires begging for less weight.

Anyone can recertify GVWR or GAWR, it doesn't take a license to do so.