Airbags or Supersprings

bcbouy wrote:
i'm noticing a lot of people using supersprings but not hellwigs.are ss cheaper,quieter,easier to install,built better?i'm only asking because i may need to install one or the other.sorry for the hyjack.

The surprising thing about SuperSprings is the added benefit of sway reduction that you don't get with your standard helper spring. I think they are just as easy to install as a helper spring.

i'm noticing a lot of people using supersprings but not hellwigs.are ss cheaper,quieter,easier to install,built better?i'm only asking because i may need to install one or the other.sorry for the hyjack.

My truck rode very much like a truck with the bed empty in its stock form. Adding SuperSprings did not change the ride with the bed empty at all as they do not engage until the factory springs are overloaded by the weight in the bed.

Adding an anti-sway bar at the rear did nothing for the ride or handling with the camper in the bed but made a quite noticeable improvement in the ride and handling of the truck when the camper was off the truck. Pickups, as all owners can attest, are very light at the rear axle and this results in wheel hop in circumstances that would not affect a van or sedan.

The anti-sway bar transmits road shock from one side of a car or truck to the opposite wheel and with my truck this resulted in far less hop when hitting a depression, bump, or bridge expansion joint, etc. with the bed empty. I thought I would get some benefit in handling with the camper in the bed and I was in error but I was very happy to get the better ride and handling with the bed empty and so my $300 investment paid off.

My truck (2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500) is notorious for having “soft” OEM springs. Unlike the 3500, there is no upper overload spring. Carrying 2,000# was enough to compress much of the available stock leaf arc. I considered adding stable-Loads; but in MHO all that accomplishes is pre-mature engagement of the (stiff) bottom overload spring. I did install air bags but agree with some others this is really nothing more than a height adjustment/leveler, it can and will take some spring load off but can lead to increased sway.

I ended up adding Supersprings and have never looked back. There is limited adjustment in terms of setting pre-load and I set that to minimum. Yes, they are stiffer when unloaded but not terribly so; and I immediately benefitted from the additional spring arc available, as well as reduced sway. I hardly bother with the air bags anymore.

I started with Airbags....
Added Super Springs to really carry the weight.
Only need airbags now if towing with the camper on just to level a little bit.
Next truck I'll just start with Super Springs...and likely skip the airbags. SS best $400 bang for the buck.

Yes the empty ride got worse, the Super Springs you can set at differnt levels. On my truck it raised the rear end up about 1.5-2 inches, but I also have a leveling kit on the front so it all works great...for me.

My opinion is if you add Super springs, you can forget about adding air to anything but your tires in the future.

Paul

I put airbags on my truck when I had a 5th wheel and they worked great. Then after having a truck camper I installed SuperSprings. If I was doing just one with the truck camper, it would be SuperSprings. If you chose air bags I highly recommend getting on board air controller. A few psi + or - changes the handling for better or worse. You need to be "in the leaf springs" with the weight.

palmwhit wrote:
Would Super Springs work in conjunction with air bags? I have air bags now wonder if adding S.S.'s would stiffen the side roll that is sometimes noticeable?

If you add Supersprings you more than likely will not need or use the air bags. Im talking from experience since early on I thought it best to add both. I never needed to use the air bags with all the support that I got from the SS's. I have no side roll.

I use air bags because for most of the time the camper is off the truck. They are an assist, my stock springs can carry the load. I always have a good comfortable ride.

I don't worry about leaks, if the air bags did leak I can still travel, the back end will be down a little.

If you fill the bags up beyond the overloads you may experience more sway, I fill to just about off the overloads and things work out well.

Good luck.

nomadictxn wrote:
My $.02. Go with the supersprings. Much better for sway. I can see airbags for a supplement and I know they are durable, when installed properly, but they just don't let the suspension do as designed.

I agree 100% here. After alot of research myself, finally got my TC and put it on my truck with SS and it rode GREAT! Couldn't be happier!