Air bags?

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....