I have a F350 with the truck camper certification. Prior to purchasing a used Lance 915, I installed an air bag kit, thinking that it would be needed.When the TC was installed for the first time, the truck's over-ride leaf springs didn't touch the bracket on the frame, but did come within an inch or so. The salesman commented that the air bags weren't needed for this particular set-up, but added some air to them anyway. I think that he was trying make me feel good about installing them!Since that time, I have always added 30 pounds or so of air in the bags because the instructions indicate that the must be a minimum amount of air in them.When driving down the road, I find that the truck tends to rock back and forth a bit. I was wondering if I would be better off allowing the truck to ride on its own suspension (leaf springs) rather that's assisting with the air bags.Any suggestions or experience with this condition?Thanks!

I had airbags on out 2001 F-350 hauling a 4k lb camper and I liked them. I generally ran about 90 psig as I recall.On your rig, you need to test it at different airbag pressures to see what works best. Start out at a high pressure, drive it around some, let 10 psig out and test again. You may find that you cannot run them at zero pressure with the camper in the bed because the upper and lower airbag bracket may come into contact with each other.Did the dealer install the airbags with seperate air fittings?Ultimately any srw truck is going to rock around some with a large high CG load in the bed. You do what you can to reduce it to a minimum, but there will always be some.Good Luck,Brad

I installed the bags myself, and put separate valves on each side. I am considering the addition of a truck mounted air compressor. This would certainly make trying different pressures much easier.

stable loads in place of the stock overload spacers should solve your issue and bring the overload springs back into play

At 30 lbs, I doubt it is the air bags. More air will make it worse. I'd look into some better shocks and make sure you have enough air in the tires.

Buzzcut1 wrote:stable loads in place of the stock overload spacers should solve your issue and bring the overload springs back into playHighly recommend this option. The Torklift Stable Loads would immediately engage the overloads. Most likely you would continue to use 30psi in the airbags. When I added Stable Loads I reduced my airbags from 80psi to 45psi. Another friend added Stable Loads to his Dodge with light camper. Airbags were not needed.

Use of air bags | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

HMS_Beagle
Explorer
May 08, 2013
I don't know what brand you have, but Firestone at least recommends only 5 lbs minimum pressure. I keep only 5 or 10 psi in mine, thinking about removing them as they reduce suspension travel by 30-50%. If you don't use them, they are a liability.
Butch50
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Most likely if you you just let down the air in the bags till you are on your overloads you well have people flashing their lights at you when you drive at night. It well most likely put you headlights out of adjustment unless you aim them for when the the camper is on the truck. On my F350 I really didn't need the air bags but they are nice leveling from side to side as my camper is heavier on one side.

When I installed my stable loads I just soaped the pads down with a solution of water and soap and used a big screw driver and poped the pads right out of the slot. Now my truck rides on the stable loads and it is very stable and level.
BradW
Explorer II
May 08, 2013
fjrjohnny wrote:
Thanks for your responses. I will first try different pressures, and will include lowering the air to bring the overloads back into play. Sounds like I should be considering Stabiloads either way.

How much rear sag are you willing to live with? With airbags, you can bring the rear of the truck up. With non-adjustable overload springs, spacers, etc, you will have significant rear sag.
billtex
Explorer II
May 08, 2013
That is a lite camper for a 1 ton, as you found out you are not even contacting the overloads so you likely do not NEED air bags. As mentioned the over load extenders, in your case, would be the better option.

You have a couple of options;
* You do need to maintain ~ 10psi min to prevent damage to the bags (less psi = less sway also)
*install overload extenders in addition to above

If I were you, I would add the overload extenders and keep the bags as they will still be helpful side2side leveling.Usually Folks are over loaded and need suspension aids, in your case you are too light and not contacting the overloads. This, in combination with too great psi in the airbags, is likely contributing to sway. Add the overload extenders,start with min psi (10 psi one side, and more on the other if needed to level side2side. At vey least 10 psi both bags).

Good luck, Bill
Rettrooper
Explorer
May 08, 2013
You'll love the stable loads on your F-350. Installation is very easy. When I did mine (06 F-350 CC 4X4 Dually), I just went in and applied some WD-40 to the stock mounts and used a razor knife to cut the stock mounts and they came right off. Liberal use of WD-40 when cutting makes removal a breeze. Then bolt on the Torklift replacements. Total job in well under an hour. Very easy, you'll love them.
fjrjohnny
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Thanks for your responses. I will first try different pressures, and will include lowering the air to bring the overloads back into play. Sounds like I should be considering Stabiloads either way.
sabconsulting
Explorer
May 08, 2013
I added airbags thinking I would need them and also found they made the ride worse. I now keep them at the minimum pressure the manufacturer recommends, which is something like 10 psi, but I can still feel them. The back definitely feels more bouncy with them on, and it bounces at a faster frequency which is less comfortable than the sort of wallowy bouncing I got before. I can see that if your front shock absorbers were tired then the rear bouncing more might mean that instead of the rear suspension absorbing the movement, it could be acting more like a pivot so the up and down movement is translated into a rocking movement.

Steve.
Steelhog
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Buzzcut1 wrote:
stable loads in place of the stock overload spacers should solve your issue and bring the overload springs back into play

X2... I use my air bags (separate lines) to just get the Stable Loads kissing the overloads. Sway was virtually eliminated as opposed to just airbags and stock overload bumpers. No change in ride height or air pressure but the overloads now work almost like an extra sway bar.
wcjeep
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Buzzcut1 wrote:
stable loads in place of the stock overload spacers should solve your issue and bring the overload springs back into play

Highly recommend this option. The Torklift Stable Loads would immediately engage the overloads. Most likely you would continue to use 30psi in the airbags. When I added Stable Loads I reduced my airbags from 80psi to 45psi. Another friend added Stable Loads to his Dodge with light camper. Airbags were not needed.
jimh406
Explorer III
May 08, 2013
At 30 lbs, I doubt it is the air bags. More air will make it worse. I'd look into some better shocks and make sure you have enough air in the tires.

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Use of air bags

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