Airbags or Sumo Springs

I run upper and lower stable loads on my 3/4t loaded with an AF 811. Giving me about 1" of sag. I do not air the bags over 10 PSI unless I am towing my trailer. My enclosed trailer tongue weight is usually over 600 lbs and I use a WDH to balance out the weight better. That's when I put in 40-60 PSI into the bags based on my trailer load. Interestingly, my little flat bed will have about the same tongue weight without a WDH and I air the bags similarly.

homefor2 wrote:
If you are thinking air bags, look at the PacBrake. I just installed them and the quality is impressive. It was not a difficult job at all. A lot of the assembly is done on the bench before you install them. My only complaint is my truck is very unstable (sideways roll) and I am not sure what I am going to change next.

Too much air...lower the psi...

B

upper stableloads and outboard airbags. thurrr you goo

Beside restoring the truck to the proper ride height, air bags can level side to side which has been important. Because we deal with various weight conditions air bags are a more satisfactory solution for us. We have had 10 years and 100,000 miles of trouble free travel, with s simple manual air adjustment system (bike pump), not a dedicated air compressor.

The tiny amount of tongue weight from a wave runner shouldn't sag a 1-ton truck, at all. These trucks have too wimpy springs from the factory, obviously.

If you are thinking air bags, look at the PacBrake. I just installed them and the quality is impressive. It was not a difficult job at all. A lot of the assembly is done on the bench before you install them. My only complaint is my truck is very unstable (sideways roll) and I am not sure what I am going to change next.

Upon introduction (per Supersprings), Sumo Springs were designed (originally) for the up and down forces encountered on emergency vehicles rolling over varied terrain...Though similar, in my view these forces are not the same as the near constant down force weight of a heavy camper (leaving Sumos in a state of near constant compression), thus I'd opt instead for tembrens... But the 4-5" the drop you mention is substantial, and in the long run a better solution may well require a leaf spring upgrade. I recently switched from Tembrens (after 6 yrs) to adding two new leafs per side (due to rough I-5 So. Calif freeway), and have noticed a worthwhile further improvement. JMO.

Best Regards,

3 tons

In the same boat here with an F-350 SRW and a Wolf Creek 850. The truck has the camper package and will soon have the lower stable loads. It doesn't sag to bad or handle badly but did notice other drivers flashing their lights at me. I'll be towing a waverunner next summer and it drops the back a bit more and the trailer doesn't sit level when hitched up.

I'm leaning toward the airbags mainly due to a very good experience with them on my last rig. Had the basic airbag set (firestone ride rite) with one fill valve per bag for independent adjustment. Did the job with the camper and waverunner or any combination.

If I add them to this truck I think the cab controls with the onboard compressor will be in order.

My Dad and I did the install on the last rig and yes it is a bit labor intensive.....hoping its more straight forward on this one!

Hopefully others will chime in with some more experience and advice!

Add a leaf to the springs. If the truck is sagging 4 to 5 inches with Stable Loads and only a partially loaded 811, the truck is insufficiently sprung. It needs more beef in the spring packs.

As noted...air bags are adjustable...have worked well for us many years now.

B