Air Bags/Springs - Firestone, Air Lift or?

I agree with Boatycall on the stable loads. I also had air bags before and didn't like them, mine were not strong enough to raise the loaded suspension back to non-loaded height (firestone). I remember it being a squishy, side-to-side rocking ride compared to the stable-loads

If you use the airbags to raise the suspension to non-loaded height every bump will be jarring as the stable-loads engage the overloads unless you remove them. I deal with this phenomenon when I use my truck as a daily driver because I don't want to remove and reinstall stable-loads all the time.

I understand the headlight concern but I guess I am usually sitting by the campfire by then so it doesn't bother me as much :) That year of Dodge trucks are easy to adjust btw.

I've had AirLift bags on '06 F350 drw crew cab since Oct. of '05 right after taking delivery of truck and just before loading new Lance 1181. I went with frame mounted fill valves, both in L rear wheel well,no onboard compressor. I've had zero problems until last February when one started to leak. My local RV service center pushes Firestone but carries both. While trying to decide whether to go Firestone after the long service I'd already got out of the Air Lift, I called Air Lift to get some comparison info. Without asking for a deal or warranty replacement, the Air Lift rep. just asked, "are you the original owner?" When I answered "yes", he replied I'll send you a replacement, just return the old one via the prepaid label I'll include. I couldn't believe it! When I said I'd like to buy a second one to replace the other side so I wouldn't end up with one new and one old, he said he'd send a second as well! Just send both the old back. Bear in mind, these bags had been in service just short of ten years, most of the time supporting my 1181, and they replaced them for a small shipping fee! Any company that stands behind their products like that is getting my business. I carry about 10-15psi when empty and 80-85 when loaded. If we unload the camper (rarely) while camping, I usually carry a bicycle pump to air them up when reloading. Hope this helps you make your decision.

HMS Beagle wrote:
I'm wondering the same thing. Something to consider is that all of the airbag systems limit suspension travel to some extent. The airbag travel is only 5 or 6", vs. often 10-12" for the original suspension. On the between-axle-and-frame version I tried to install on my '99 F350, it reduced jounce travel to 2", at the same time eliminating the rubber bump stop. Firestone said this wasn't a problem.... There are some long travel kits that are made for the off road types, but expen$ive and limited applicability.

I am not sure my use of my truck will have issues with suspension travel. It has not been an issue with my '96 since 2001.

HMS Beagle wrote:
The outside the frame mounts seems to be mostly pretty flimsy and need reinforcement. The inside the frame versions will reduce roll stiffness to the extent of any load they carry. I don't think the 5 psi minimum limit is a particular concern, they end up that way over time anyway. Given the reduction in travel, having a jounce bumper like the Airlifts seems like a good idea. Another concern it that most of them have instructions admonishing against jacking the truck without strapping the axle, because the weight of the axle will hang on the bags.

For the most part, this is my thinking also. I am not very keen on the outside the frame mounts for reasons I posted.

I don't know if the 5 psi issue is a big deal, it has not been on my '96. However, I do like the idea of the jounce bumper. The jacking the truck without strapping the axle pertains to all air bag systems that I am aware of. This has never been an issue with my trucks.

HMS Beagle wrote:
For these reasons if I install them on my new truck (the need is yet TBD) I intend to mount them using the Daystar seats. In this scheme you do not bolt down the bottom of the bag, it is allowed to lift off on suspension extension preserving travel. Someone else is making a kit that does this from the beginning, but it mounts well inboard of the springs which I do not like. The seats eliminate the minimum pressure, axle droop, and travel concerns.

I was not aware of the Daystar seats. They are worth considering, only cost between $80 to $90., and could be added at a later date.

These links have interesting discussions on the Daystar seats:

"Official" Firestone RideRite + Lift Thread

Calling Coachbuilder1! Daystar Air Bag Cradle

Boatycall, I have upper Stable Loads. As I posted, I want to return to non-loaded height for headlight adjustment and level the TC when camping. Although the Stable Loads reduce the drop, I do not see how you could possibly raise the truck back up once loaded other than with air bags. I only have a 3-inch drop. I do not want to raise it for looks or because it squats too much.

Wayne

Hey Wanye, I'm a big fan of StableLoads - no bags to pop, no connections to leak, and no air'ing up/down if I decide to unload when camping.

I have a VERY heavy camper, they don't touch the leafs when I'm empty, so the is ride the same empty. Fully loaded w/trailer on a 4' SuperTruss I'm dead level.

I'm wondering the same thing. Something to consider is that all of the airbag systems limit suspension travel to some extent. The airbag travel is only 5 or 6", vs. often 10-12" for the original suspension. On the between-axle-and-frame version I tried to install on my '99 F350, it reduced jounce travel to 2", at the same time eliminating the rubber bump stop. Firestone said this wasn't a problem.... There are some long travel kits that are made for the off road types, but expen$ive and limited applicability.

The outside the frame mounts seems to be mostly pretty flimsy and need reinforcement. The inside the frame versions will reduce roll stiffness to the extent of any load they carry. I don't think the 5 psi minimum limit is a particular concern, they end up that way over time anyway. Given the reduction in travel, having a jounce bumper like the Airlifts seems like a good idea. Another concern it that most of them have instructions admonishing against jacking the truck without strapping the axle, because the weight of the axle will hang on the bags.

For these reasons if I install them on my new truck (the need is yet TBD) I intend to mount them using the Daystar seats. In this scheme you do not bolt down the bottom of the bag, it is allowed to lift off on suspension extension preserving travel. Someone else is making a kit that does this from the beginning, but it mounts well inboard of the springs which I do not like. The seats eliminate the minimum pressure, axle droop, and travel concerns.

I installed Firestone because they are no drill but I really considered air lift ultimate because they have a built in jounce bumper so if they do loose air and they will loose air. I keep about 10 - 15 psi in them when not towing and about 20psi keeps the TV level

I don't think 5 psi minimum is any factor. On trucks that I had fitted with airbags, I liked to keep 20-40 psi min as that gave me better ride.
Even on 3/4 t truck suspension can be pretty harsh when empty.
Brand -wise >>> flip a coin.