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Houstonkid's avatar
Houstonkid
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015

Airbags needed for F350 with light 5'er?

Anyone towing a relatively light 5er with an F350 SRW w/out airbags?
My 5er weighs roughly 11K pounds and has a pin weight probably around 2k or just north of that. My TV is a '12 F250 4x4 diesel.

My F250 needed airbags solely to cure squatting. I am thinking of trading for an F350 in a few months and was wondering if I will need airbags again.

26 Replies

  • My F250 needed airbags solely to cure squatting. I am thinking of trading for an F350 in a few months and was wondering if I will need airbags again.

    The only difference in your '12 F250 and a F350 SRW is a heavier rear spring pack (7000 lb vs 6100 lb). The rest of the truck has the same mechanical specs per Fleet Ford.
    The SRW does come with higher rated 18"/20" wheels and tires. Your F250 may have the same optional 18"/20" package.

    Now if your just wanting a new truck then yeah your F250 is a danger to everyone on the road and ....... :B.

    Air bags/Supersprings/Timbrens/or add another leaf in the pack will get you the same load carrying capabilities as the SRW truck. Thats a whole lot cheaper than a new truck.
  • Thanks for the responses everyone. I was really hoping to not half to install them again. My f250 really needed them, which I thought was silly for a 3/4 ton truck. Sounds as if I will be ok without!
  • My truck is 2011 F350 4x4 CC diesel. I tow a 34ft Cardinal fiver. It weighs 12,200 empty. The suspension is stock. The truck sits level when towing. There is no need for air bags, it rides good too.
  • RAS43's avatar
    RAS43
    Explorer III
    I have a 5th wheel that weighs 12,500lbs loaded and an '06 F350 SRW truck and it rides level when towing without air bags. All weights are under max. You are probably looking at a newer truck so I would guess you will be fine.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    I tow a 11,000# 5er with an 2001 Ram 2500 Camper Special (3500 springs) ZERO need for BAGS!!
    If you think you bounce too much put a full set of Bilstein shock on the TV. Shocks on the 5er help make for a smooooooth ride.
  • I tow a Sundance XLT (285TS, I think). About a 31 foot midprofile. 10,400 gvw with my 2004 F350. I haven't seen any need for air bags.

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