Air bags

LIKE2BUILD wrote:


There is a company in Iowa called Kelderman that makes a multi-link air bag system that uses your OEM spring mounts and replaces your leaf packs with air bags. A fully air ride rear suspension might ride better but I can't say for sure.

KJ

Thanks for the info, but they actually don't do kits for 1/2 ton trucks.... 3/4 ton & up only.
Looks like there isn't really much to do other than tough it out.

If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

Heck, I have a '16 F350 diesel with 5600 lbs of payload and I wouldn't mind having airbags. I have plenty of truck but I just like the looks of a level TV. Mine does drop a bit but it handles great. Doubt I can sell my wife on them though.

Air bags WILL help even out the really lousy roads. Air them just enough to maintain a level truck.

coolbreeze01 wrote:
If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

False

coolbreeze01 wrote:
If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

You don't know squat. (pun)

I put air bags on a 1/2 ton that I was having a rough ride with while towing.
What I had was a fairly light TW and stiff spring bars. So I went with lighter bars and then added bags for the heavy load in the truck bed.
I loaded the truck up with camping stuff, then aired the bags up to bring the trucks rear back to original hgt.
Then hitched up the TT and used the spring bars to set the front of the truck up.
Road like a Caddy.

Finally, someone agrees with me that they help. If your truck is sagging at all, the spring rate is stiffer than at unhitched and empty. That's the point of leaf springs, to get stiffer as you add weight.

coolbreeze01 wrote:
If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

Since my earlier, snarky reply was deleted, I want to reiterate something in perhaps a less snarky manner.

Please do not comment on something when you haven't even read the whole thread.

Not everyone needs a 3/4 or 1-ton truck.
My problem is not capacity, as I am within GVRW and GCWR and tow less than 80% of my rated capacity of 9,500 pounds.
My problem is not stability, as I have load range E tires and a Hensley Arrow Hitch.
My problem is certainly not power, as I have 403 hp and 420 lb/ft of torque.
My problem is that my wife has a debilitating back condition that makes it very uncomfortable for her to ride, particularly in a tow vehicle.
The central tenet of my question was whether air bags would improve the ride quality, thereby improving her (and my) quality of life.

Again, much thanks to those who have made helpful comments.