I'm jumping from a Cougar 5th to an Excel. My 250 Ford will need air bags or a Roadmaster Adjustable Suspension installed. My feeling is,with little experience, that the air bags can carry a heavier load. Does anyone have information comparing these two choices. Thanks

First off.......air bags etc. will NOT increase load capacity...period.Air bags can help level the truck due to 'squat'You really need to tow within the ratings of the truck.Not knowing what truck other than F250 I would suspect that Excel is above your ratings.Towing above ratings is not fun and can create all kinds of problems.Check the truck ratings on data plate and compare to what that Excel weights.Sorry but it is what it is.........

Okay, Does anyone know which levels better the air bags or the action suspension?

52MWillie wrote:Okay, Does anyone know which levels better the air bags or the action suspension?What is the GVWR of the Excel?

REWahoo wrote:smkettner wrote:RAS does not seem to have any "extra load" rating like typical overload springs. How much does it help level the vehicle if loaded to max rating?Just curious if RAS could be compared with a 1000# spring or 2500# spring etc.I suspect they omit that info from their website on advice from their attorney.:)However, the installation instructions that came with my RAS say this:"For improved handling and 25% additional load carrying the correct adjustment between the [spring] coils is reached when a dime coin, used as a gauge, can just pass between the coils.""For improved handling and 40% additional load carrying the correct adjustment between the [spring] coils is reached when a quarter coin, used as a gauge, can just pass between the coils.""The additional load carrying as stated above can vary depending on the vehicle."http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27253478/

Roadmaster, hands down. It does much more then level out the truck. It also increases the spring capabilities by 50% according to there web site: roadmaster

Air Bags or Roadmaster Active Suspension -Help

rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2013
JIMNLIN wrote:
52MWillie wrote:
I'm jumping from a Cougar 5th to an Excel. My 250 Ford will need air bags or a Roadmaster Adjustable Suspension installed. My feeling is,
with little experience, that the air bags can carry a heavier load. Does anyone have information comparing these two choices. Thanks

Ignore the weight police that want to hijack your question with their usual blab. Simply don't answer them.
Maybe the mod can move you to the tow vehicle forum or if your carrying a truck camper the TC forum is a better source of truck modifications to carry more weight.

My experience with the bags wasn't good. The higher the bags pressure the more sway/bounce issues I had. However much depends on how much extra load your looking to carry.

I wouldn't add a thing to your trucks suspension till you load the truck and trailer and make a short run . Then is the time to see if the trucks rear suspension will need help with the load.

Hardly the weight police!!
This is the Pot warning the Kettle not to go too far! I pull a 12,500# GVWR 5er with my 01 Ram 2500.

I tow over my GVWR, but will within TIRE and axle ratings! This is what you need to keep in mind, tires for sure, I would not want to be running my truck with the rear tires right at the rated load.

I guess I am lucky, my truck is a Camper Special, and requires no aftermarket suspension upgrades to tow level and smooth.
huron52
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
a couple of questions here. What is the front half of the spring doing after you install the roadmaster on the back half? Will it not still flatten out?

The answer didn't seem clear to me.... Will it bring the truck level again with the 5th wheel trailer on the truck?
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2013
52MWillie wrote:
I'm jumping from a Cougar 5th to an Excel. My 250 Ford will need air bags or a Roadmaster Adjustable Suspension installed. My feeling is,
with little experience, that the air bags can carry a heavier load. Does anyone have information comparing these two choices. Thanks

Ignore the weight police that want to hijack your question with their usual blab. Simply don't answer them.
Maybe the mod can move you to the tow vehicle forum or if your carrying a truck camper the TC forum is a better source of truck modifications to carry more weight.

My experience with the bags wasn't good. The higher the bags pressure the more sway/bounce issues I had. However much depends on how much extra load your looking to carry.

I wouldn't add a thing to your trucks suspension till you load the truck and trailer and make a short run . Then is the time to see if the trucks rear suspension will need help with the load.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2013
mark5w wrote:
Roadmaster, hands down. It does much more then level out the truck. It also increases the spring capabilities by 50% according to there web
site: roadmaster

WOW, looks like this can turn any 1500/150 into a 3500/350 SRW with just a simple coil spring install!

Tires, springs, and frame determine load rating.
When a product like this will provide you with an updated GVWR sticker complete with VIN, then they will no longer be snake oil.
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
I used SuperSprings on my F150, but the next truck I will use RAS as it does more than just level. Once installed, you never have to mess with them like you do with air bags and they don't interfere with 5th wheel mountings like air bags can.
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
Add a leaf to the main spring packs and add the F350 upper overload springs and frame bumpers.
mark5w
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
Roadmaster, hands down. It does much more then level out the truck. It also increases the spring capabilities by 50% according to there web
site: roadmaster
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 26, 2013
REWahoo wrote:
smkettner wrote:

RAS does not seem to have any "extra load" rating like typical overload springs. How much does it help level the vehicle if loaded to max rating?

Just curious if RAS could be compared with a 1000# spring or 2500# spring etc.

I suspect they omit that info from their website on advice from their attorney.:)

However, the installation instructions that came with my RAS say this:

"For improved handling and 25% additional load carrying the correct adjustment between the [spring] coils is reached when a dime coin, used as a gauge, can just pass between the coils."

"For improved handling and 40% additional load carrying the correct adjustment between the [spring] coils is reached when a quarter coin, used as a gauge, can just pass between the coils."

"The additional load carrying as stated above can vary depending on the vehicle."

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27253478/
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2013
52MWillie wrote:
Okay, Does anyone know which levels better the air bags or the action suspension?

What is the GVWR of the Excel?
52MWillie
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
Okay, Does anyone know which levels better the air bags or the action suspension?