Forum Discussion

milo's avatar
milo
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2013

Air Bags VS Helper Springs

Yá'át'ééh;
I've searched through all of the towing & tow Vehicle forums and did not see anything about the use air bags and/or any type of helper springs. Those of you that have added either / or to your truck would you do the same again or would you switch and use the other. Please tell we why you feel that the air bags you put on your truck are better than the using one of the many types of helper springs, or vice versus. I'm looking for a consensus on which is a better system to use to help level a truck. If you use helper springs, which type or which brand of air bags and why do you feel they are the best?

Thank you
Milo
  • doughere's avatar
    doughere
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    I have air-bags and adjustable shocks. When towing, the air-bags keep the truck level, and setting the shocks tight keeps everything smooth. When not towing, deflate air-bags to minimum and adjust shocks to slightly lower than medium, truck rides like a dream(as much as any truck can).

    Truck is used probably 50/50 towing and "daily driver" so having the ability to adjust makes it nice for both.

    Regards,
    Doug
  • PopsRacer's avatar
    PopsRacer
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2013
    TheGrinch wrote:
    I ran air bags on my '04 Jeep GC for about 4 years and loved them. Now that I have switched TV/TT, I do plan on purchasing a set of air bags for the Armada. It gives a great deal of flexibility for your suspension for different load types. Even with a WDH, that little bit of tweaking helps.

    Larry

    The Air-Lift and Firestone helper bags stuffed inside the coil springs are worthless, they barely hold 400-lbs, heck I weightlift a lot more than they can hold.. Timbrens are a much better bang for the buck. I replaced my rear air shocks with Radflo Offroad shocks and added helper bags but ultimately ended up with Timbrens that hold up much better. Next up will be some stiffer springs or adding coilovers in addition to the OEM springs.
  • GASA765's avatar
    GASA765
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2013
    Spoke to a Dodge tech and they suggested overload springs would increase our payload capacity to a 3500 level. They said that is the main difference between a 2500 and 3500 as the rear axles are the same for both, and the engines are the same.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2013
    GASA765 wrote:
    Spoke to a Dodge tech and they suggested overload springs would increase our payload capacity to a 3500 level. They said that is the main difference between a 2500 and 3500 as the rear axles are the same for both, and the engines are the same.


    Are you looking at having a shop build some for you. Not sure how you could find the original spring rate and work that into the new overloads.
    OEM 3500 springs are ridiculously priced.
  • Michelle_S's avatar
    Michelle_S
    Explorer III
    Dec 14, 2013
    Just keep in mind, no matter what you do it won't change those numbers on the Door pillar stickers.
  • christopherglen's avatar
    christopherglen
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    The tech was misinformed. Unless you recertify the truck, nothing changes axle ratings, or payload. At best it can sit level and ride well when overloaded.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    christopherglenn wrote:
    The tech was misinformed. Unless you recertify the truck, nothing changes axle ratings, or payload. At best it can sit level and ride well when overloaded.


    So if he installs all the parts that are necessary to bring the truck up to the 3500 level it is useless without government a sticker? :R
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Dec 15, 2013
    I think I would rather use the RAS or super springs system rather than either Timbrens or air bags. I think that the Timbrens and Air Bag point load the frame in an area not designed to deal with that increased load.
    I do like the fact I don't need to deal with this decision, as my TV has enough spring stock to carry my 5er nice and level.
  • GASA765's avatar
    GASA765
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2013
    There are bolt on overload springs that sit above the OEM springs.
    The axles are the same on both the 3500 and the 2500 along with the same transmission.

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