2015 F-350 w/ AF 811, Stable load or Air Bags

Bedlam - It has been a while since I have weighed my truck, and my memory on this kind of stuff is not what it once was. As I recall, the total weight with TC is 10400 lbs. Rear axle 6200, front 4200. Empty, no tailgate, total 6200 lbs, rear 2200, front 4000.

snakyjake - There was a time I considered the auto leveling air bags. Very pricey and in my opinion not worth the upkeep or money. I think you will find you would not know the difference in the air bag pressure at sea level and 12000 feet. Can you tell the difference in your tires? Use care and not over think the air bags.

Air bags for our trucks are designed to compliment our existing springs, not replace them like the big trucks. You can replace the total suspension package in many of our trucks to ride on air like the big guys, but it ain't cheap. That does not mean the air bags for out trucks are cheap and do not work well. You will do yourself a disservice if you try to compare both applications other than the concept.

Wayne

Additionally, I've seen auto leveling air bags, and at first glance liked the "automatic" idea. The one I saw , the auto leveling is done by a magnetic reference point. But now I'm thinking that may not work so well if the conditions are constantly changing, presuming the airbags would constantly be auto-adjusting. I also travel from sea level over a mountain pass, so air pressure changes on route.

If the air requirements change while driving and need an operator, then I'd want controls in the truck cab.

I also still have questions between the leading commercial transport truck air suspensions, RAM, and the pickup aftermarket. I'm not sure how well integrated the aftermarket is since their marketing is going to be for cheap & easy.

So the above might outline some challenges/complexity with airbags, and which system to choose.

Jake

I vote for the stable loads or a diy imitation. without a load your ride is normal, with a load you get onto the overloads sooner, our camper is not a heavy one, it's about 3500lbs loaded and engaging them while the camper or a heavy goose neck load is on the truck has made a good difference with out me having to adjust anything when I add or remove a load.

For the record, I am not against air suspension. However the kits that supplement the existing springs, are nothing like primary suspension bags. I used Firestone bags to level out after hitching up the trailer.

My AF 811 was at least a 1' taller and rear axle weight was close to 7000 lbs with just the TC and could be as much as 8000 lbs when my enclosed trailer is hitched with WDH and we are loaded for extended boon docking.

I'm surprised the rear of your truck only weighs 2000 lbs. My short bed extended cab was 750 lbs heavier in the rear.

snakyjake, I think you and I are of the same opinion. While fixed suspension is certainly okay and works for a lot of people, I am convinced that an adjustable suspension (air bags & shocks) is the way to go. Especially if the adjustment can be made from the driver seat while on the road.

Flat lands with a strong side wind, add or reduce air in the air bag on one side of the truck. Road conditions change resulting in purposing, change the air pressure in front or rear (or both) shocks. This is just a couple of the most obvious advantages.

Wayne

Bedlam - Total weight on the way camping is 6200 pounds on rear axle. Of that about 4200 to 4300 is the TC.

The height from the ground to the highest point (A/C) of the TC is 10'3".

Wayne

I've been looking at a lot of suspensions lately, sifting through marketing and opinions, and trying to figure out the pros/cons.

Here's my opinion so far:

Stable Load (and similar)
You add springs to your truck for the load you are going to carry.
The extra springs are engaged when you carry the load, disengaged when empty.
You only have two settings.
Stock ride comfort when empty.

Hybrid Springs & Air Bags
Stock ride comfort when empty.
Truck leveling.
Variable load adjustments.

Full Air Bags
Softer ride comfort.
Ride leveling.
Variable load adjustments.

I think there's a good reason why commercial semi-trucks use air bags. The trucks even have air bags for the front, the cab, and the seats. Whether or not the semi-truck suspension advantages transfer to a pickup truck are the same or not, is my question. If so, then I believe the semi-trucks have outlined the future.

Jake

Your 11.5 Bigfoot is probably lighter than the Arctic Fox 811 and is definitely shorter in height. How much weight are you carrying on that Dodge rear axle? The ones reporting better results with StableLoads are the ones that are loaded the heaviest.

I have been running the air bags only for over 175,00 miles. I do not have overload springs. I am totally okay with my trucks road manners under all conditions. I use my air bags quite often for leveling the TC. That is something Stable Loads cannot do.

Forest roads have not been any different than on the highway, as far as handling goes. I will say, I have had several suspension modification types through the years, but never the Stable Loads.

Wayne

wcjeep wrote:
Airbags can unload the suspension. Stable Loads engage the suspension sooner. Stable loads first.

Ditto.

I wish I'd have installed StableLoads First, and I would never have spent the money on airbags.

Stableloads do a lot more for me than the airbags - AF811 on a 2009 Silverado Dually.