Air bags?

Cummins12V98 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:
..........wasn't talking OEM, was talking after market.....

oops

The factory doesn't make the bags. My bags are rated at 400 psi and it takes 25 to hold my empty truck and 55 with the 5er. They have a life time warranty also. They are the same bags use in the helper systems like you are talking just larger. If installed correctly, no worries.

NC Hauler wrote:
..........wasn't talking OEM, was talking after market.....

oops

NC Hauler wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:
As affirmed by the above, they are used to level a load..They don't help any at all for adding to a trucks GVWR...just leveling the load.

I'm not arguing with you NC but it's weird that this company has a statement on their website that states differently. Read the second sentence in the link.


Kildrman Air Ride

completely different system than your typical air bag set up, such as the Firestone airbags..The system you showed isn't the $250-300 airbag add on's..

This is a 4 link air suspension system.FAR from being "just airbags" At $3400, it IS an enhancement to increase payload..only thing I have against them would be if I loaded to the "new" weight rating, and one of the bags failed, that could prove to be most advantageous.

Again, I'm in agreement with you on THIS system, but most when talking about airbags are usually talking about the regular air bags one adds to their suspension...One's who use the type you alluded to will give the name of the suspension, which makes it stand out over regular airbags...

What would be nice, once installed, that someone could change that GVWR tag legally that is posted on the drivers side doorjamb.

Just a side note: This is the type of system I have on my 2500 that is rated for 10,000#. Does this change my truck? No not really because that is well over my tire capacity. Now if I changed over to DRW then it would. Nothing is changed about the truck except the steel springs are removed and a 4 link set-up (actually 5 links) is installed. The axle is still the same. So how can they legally say that you can haul more?

..........wasn't talking OEM, was talking after market.....

I added PacBrake air bags to my 11 Dually only for helping control the chopping you get on some highways. I also added Bilstiens at the same time, The ride was much better. Can't say for a fact what made the ride better, probably both items equally.

As far as Factory air bag failure I would not worry about it in the least. Don't think the Semi's worry about it.

When they become available next year there will be one on my driveway, of course with all the gaudy LongHorn stuff!

Anyone looking for a nice 11 HO Longhorn Dually?

RVcrazy wrote:
Wht is the purpose of air bags? It appears that they are mostly added when someone is nose heavy or overweight for the their truck. True or not? Benefits or reasons to avoid? Thanks!

Today's vehicles are often built for passenger comfort and less for heavy weight hauling. Thus, why many larger size vehicles are built with "P" tires (P = Passenger ride comfort) and built with passenger comfort coil / leaf spring strengths. Majority of time, pickup owners don't use their vehicle for heavy hauling. Thus, factory built default "smooth / slightly mush" feeling suspension - that satisfies majority of their buyers (for majority of vehicle's usage).

When a Pickup / Van is used for heavy cargo or Towing, their factory rear suspension sinks down. Their factory rear suspension needs "beefing up". For example: Add +1 leaf, Air bags, Timbren SES units or separate helper springs (using its own support mounts).

Air bags are adjustable via air up / air down tasks. And, air bags have risk of air leaks (especially when one least expects it). Being non-steel solution, there's NO upward rebound effect. Thus, existing shocks can be used.

Timbrens SES are "install them and leave them" rubber solution. They are like air bags without pressurized air inside them. Once installed and properly adjusted, they work - without airing up or airing down each time the load weight changes. An, no risk of future air leak. Simply connect trailer and start towing.

+1 leaf (aka: Add-a-leaf) solution does help eliminate factory "mush" feeling suspension. But, Add-A-leaf often raises the rear higher. When rear is raised (even slightly), vehicle needs wheel alignment. And being steel, it has upward rebound on washboard roads. Thus, add leaf folks often install HD shock upgrades - to eliminate road bounce effect.

For me, I installed Timbren SES units in my previous leaf spring Tow Vehicle. And, I installed Timbren SES units in my current coil spring Tow Vehicle. Once adjusted (using shims - if needed), they work great. No air leaks, no fussing around with airing up or airing down and no HD shock upgrades either. Within my region, Timbren SES units are less expensive than air bags.

If an attached trailer will accept a WD System, do install one. However... If trailer (like boat or utility trailer or 5er) cannot accept a WD System, then I’d recommend Timbren SES units or Air Bags for "beefing up". Being non-steel solution, no need to also upgrade with HD shocks (to eliminate Road Bounce effect / that is created with steel based suspension).

Hope this helps....

transamz9 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:
As affirmed by the above, they are used to level a load..They don't help any at all for adding to a trucks GVWR...just leveling the load.

I'm not arguing with you NC but it's weird that this company has a statement on their website that states differently. Read the second sentence in the link.


Kildrman Air Ride

completely different system than your typical air bag set up, such as the Firestone airbags..The system you showed isn't the $250-300 airbag add on's..

This is a 4 link air suspension system.FAR from being "just airbags" At $3400, it IS an enhancement to increase payload..only thing I have against them would be if I loaded to the "new" weight rating, and one of the bags failed, that could prove to be most advantageous.

Again, I'm in agreement with you on THIS system, but most when talking about airbags are usually talking about the regular air bags one adds to their suspension...One's who use the type you alluded to will give the name of the suspension, which makes it stand out over regular airbags...

What would be nice, once installed, that someone could change that GVWR tag legally that is posted on the drivers side doorjamb.

There is a big difference between increasing carrying capacity and increasing GVWR. You can easily increase the suspension capacity, but that is not going to do anything to help the axle, brake, frame or tire capacities. GVWR is a rating placed on the vehicle as a complete system by the manufacturer and simply adding spring capacity is not going to change that.

NC Hauler wrote:
As affirmed by the above, they are used to level a load..They don't help any at all for adding to a trucks GVWR...just leveling the load.

I'm not arguing with you NC but it's weird that this company has a statement on their website that states differently. Read the second sentence in the link.


Kildrman Air Ride

Everybody has different reasons for liking or disliking airbags. I not only feel that the ride is better with them, but I also enjoy the ability to adjust ride height and quality. My truck handles the >3100 lb pin weight without the bags,but it just rides better with them.

I already had the airbags when I recently decided to install a 2" leveling kit on my truck. I hate the down hill look that an F350 has when empty. I was concerned how that was going to work out with the toy hauler, but adding another 8-10 psi to the airbags keeps it fairly level and unbelievably provides a better ride.