My truck (in my signature) does not have them and I was considering adding them. 1. What do they do besides lift rear of truck?2. Are they practical for use when towing a TT with a WDH?3. Are they really more for lighter duty trucks looking to lift rear of truck when adding a heavy tongue load?4. Do any of you have them and can you share your experiences/thoughts about them?Thanks!

Air bags in SubjectAll air bags in towing

Basically for use to keep the rear of the truck at normal ride height when carrying a heavy load. They do not increase load capacity. Load capacity is based on many factors beyond just the springs...axles, brakes, frame, transmission...and more are all taken into consideration for load capacity by manufacturers.Air bags can stiffen the ride when inflated and some folks report their truck has a better ride when loaded with the air bags inflated.Personally, I have had two trucks with overload springs and my current truck has a Link Air Ride suspension in the rear. All three trucks, in my opinion, were equal ride with a heavy load. The Link system does keep the rear of the truck as close as possible to normal ride height. The overload springs did not kick in until the rear lowered as weight exceeded the capacity of the normal springs to keep the rear up.

I have air bags on mine and am switching to a TT from a FW I am going to watch this.I used mine for the sag with the FW but not sure if I should keep them for a TT which will have a heavy tongue weight in the 1700# range according to other owners of the Reflection 315RLTS

I used them on a Titan when pulling a 6,000# travel trailer. Mostly to level the truck so my headlights weren't useless. They worked well. Per the instructions I set my weight distribution hitch so the rear was 1" down and used the bags to level (40 lbs). One thing to be cognizant of is some people with bags and onboard air will crank up the pressure while driving. This could have the effect of unloading the weight distribution and possibly anti-sway making for a poor and dangerous tow.I put them on my current truck for pulling a fifth wheel with over 2,000 pounds of pin and bed weight. I have never needed them so they stay at minimum pressure all the time.

I'll insert comments next to each.Baja Man wrote:My truck (in my signature) does not have them and I was considering adding them. 1. What do they do besides lift rear of truck? That is the normal intent, to lift the truck when the original suspension does not do what it is you need it to. 2. Are they practical for use when towing a TT with a WDH? No, not really when it comes to your truck and camper. With your truck, when the WD hitch is set correctly, the truck will ride good. There is one other practical use I'll add below. 3. Are they really more for lighter duty trucks looking to lift rear of truck when adding a heavy tongue load? From my point of view, light truck or heavy truck using air bags to deal with a heavy TW trailer is not the best way to do this. Using a WD hitch is the better way for total truck control. The lighter truck can be in axle capacity issues real quick trying to use them to deal with a heavy TW trailer. Again use the WD hitch in place of the air bags.4. Do any of you have them and can you share your experiences/thoughts about them? I'll type below on this one. Thanks!A question for you5. What lead you to believe you needed air bags?6. What problem are your trying to solve by using air bags?Air bags on a 1 ton truck do have a place. As was mentioned, folks with heavy 5th wheel pin weights can use them to help level the truck out. This is unique to 5'ers with a heavy duty truck. The rear axle of the truck can handle the load, just the rear sag below level can be objectionable where a more level truck is better. Another good use of these on a 1 ton truck is folks who have large varying bed loads in the truck while towing a TT. For example, a fellow camper with a 1 ton truck has a set of quads that fit over the bed. One trip he takes the quads, the next trip he leaves them home. This is a significant weight difference between the 2 trips. While the WD hitch could be reset each time to make both combos work well, that can be a pain to do. So here the option of using air bags can fit well. You start with setting the WD on the truck empty bed or whatever limited gear you have less the 2 quads. The airbags are aired down to just not pinch and break them. The WD is set correctly and the truck rides well. You record the truck heights with this loading. Next trip, the 2 quads come. You hook up the WD hitch as normal and load 2 quads. Now the WD hitch is not optimized and the truck is sagging in the rear more. Now air up the bags to "only" obtain the same ride heights as when you set the WD hitch. The WD hitch is now back to being optimized, and the truck is back to riding where it was before. This is a lot easier then a WD hitch reset. Basically when using air bags with a TT and WD hitch, the air bags help with large varying beds loads that do not require a WD hitch. Hope this helpsJohn

Questions RE: Rear air bags for full size trucks

tinner12002
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018
I have airbags on mine and it makes the ride a little better when loaded but mostly helps keep my headlights pointed in the right direction. I've also had the Tembrens on another truck and didn't like them because they made the truck ride like a log wagon when loaded! Felt like susp was bottomed out.
JBarca
Nomad II
Dec 31, 2017
Grit dog wrote:

To the OP, I cannot imagine the need for airbags on your truck and setup unless there is a specific need, like you're hauling another 2-3000lbs in the bed with the camper in tow.

You haven't replied as to why you think you need them as you're already running this truck and trailer together. What are you trying to accomplish?

Hi Grit Dog,

He did answer. It just may not have stuck out as it was inserted text in a replay of mine. See here. His reply was the post above it.

http://forums.trailerlife.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29517566/gotomsg/29518959.cfm#29518959
SweetLou
Explorer
Dec 31, 2017
Grit dog wrote:
SweetLou wrote:
Just get some Tibrens. They only go into use when truck has weight on it. Research it and you will see that they are better and less expensive. It won't change the ride when empty either

While I like Timbrens and have used them in the past, as they are one of the most economical "solutions", their downside is they are extremely stiff once engaged. Kind of a not for all situations solution like airbags are.
To the OP, I cannot imagine the need for airbags on your truck and setup unless there is a specific need, like you're hauling another 2-3000lbs in the bed with the camper in tow.

You haven't replied as to why you think you need them as you're already running this truck and trailer together. What are you trying to accomplish?

I agree with what you are telling the OP, however my experience with Timbrens on my former 2005 Dodge DW was not what you are saying. The ride wasn't stiff at all when engaged for me. The added benefit is that when running empty the original set up is not altered. With airbags it is constantly connected and you must run the appropriate amount of air at all times.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 31, 2017
SweetLou wrote:
Just get some Tibrens. They only go into use when truck has weight on it. Research it and you will see that they are better and less expensive. It won't change the ride when empty either

While I like Timbrens and have used them in the past, as they are one of the most economical "solutions", their downside is they are extremely stiff once engaged. Kind of a not for all situations solution like airbags are.
To the OP, I cannot imagine the need for airbags on your truck and setup unless there is a specific need, like you're hauling another 2-3000lbs in the bed with the camper in tow.

You haven't replied as to why you think you need them as you're already running this truck and trailer together. What are you trying to accomplish?
badsix
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
I put air bags on my 2010 GMC 1500 crew cab I tow a 27'T/T around 6500# loaded. with the trailer hooked up and my bars set my truck and trailer are almost completely level. in this stance the truck is not yet down on the heavier springs of the tow package. it tows great but I got a lot of up and down at the rear. the air bags at about 20# cured most of this and made a much better ride. when i'm not towing I drop the bags down to a pound or two and i'm back to my normal smooth ride.
Jay D.
SweetLou
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
Just get some Tibrens. They only go into use when truck has weight on it. Research it and you will see that they are better and less expensive. It won't change the ride when empty either
JBarca
Nomad II
Dec 30, 2017
Baja Man wrote:

5. What lead you to believe you needed air bags?

Just thought it would take some of the weight off the springs and spread the load. Perhaps that's what the springs are for!! Also, sinvce I have not towed with my new set up, I need to give the WD hitch and my F350 a chance before any mods are made.

Don't worry, your truck is up to the task with only the springs as long as you are at or under the full truck axle and GVW ratings. They do not need any extra help from what you have told us your loads will be. You have a 1 ton truck and that solved a whole lot of problems before they ever started.

Happy camping

John
Baja_Man
Explorer
Dec 30, 2017
JBarca wrote:
I'll insert comments next to each.

Baja Man wrote:
My truck (in my signature) does not have them and I was considering adding them.

1. What do they do besides lift rear of truck? That is the normal intent, to lift the truck when the original suspension does not do what it is you need it to.

2. Are they practical for use when towing a TT with a WDH? No, not really when it comes to your truck and camper. With your truck, when the WD hitch is set correctly, the truck will ride good. There is one other practical use I'll add below.

3. Are they really more for lighter duty trucks looking to lift rear of truck when adding a heavy tongue load? From my point of view, light truck or heavy truck using air bags to deal with a heavy TW trailer is not the best way to do this. Using a WD hitch is the better way for total truck control. The lighter truck can be in axle capacity issues real quick trying to use them to deal with a heavy TW trailer. Again use the WD hitch in place of the air bags.

4. Do any of you have them and can you share your experiences/thoughts about them? I'll type below on this one.

Thanks!

A question for you

5. What lead you to believe you needed air bags?

Just thought it would take some of the weight off the springs and spread the load. Perhaps that's what the springs are for!! Also, sinvce I have not towed with my new set up, I need to give the WD hitch and my F350 a chance before any mods are made.

#6. What problem are your trying to solve by using air bags?

No problem....just what I mentioned in #5 above.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2017
The theory behind air springs (I don't like calling them bags) is you can uses a lighter spring when not loaded for a smoother ride.
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017
Here you go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg&feature=youtu.be