Air bags improved ride while not towing?

[hmalaga]

I have a 2009 2500 HD Duramax.... I'm thinking about installing air bags and am wondering if while not towing do they improve the ride of the truck. You know less jarring....smoother ride etc ??????

[christopherglen]

I have R4Tech on my trucks, if anything it drastically increased the load capacity, but nothing short of recertifying changes the RATING of the truck.

[a64armt]

C Schomer wrote:
"You have reduced the load capacity significantly by removing the overloads, regardless of the airbags." You'll never convince me of that one! So all the trucks, busses, RVs and any vehicles that were converted from springs to air don't have any load capacity? I did it and it works great. The bags are good for 5k lbs all by themselves and the bed is the same height loaded as it was empty. I added capacity AND got a better ride loaded. I had Airlift on my 97 and FS on my 03 - both double bellows. My neighbors' truck is the identical twin to mine and he has Airlift single bellows and the travel looks like it would be really short. Craig

I'm with you on this one. Not that airbags increase a vehicle's payload capacity, but to remove overload springs and substitute airbags should not lower your weight capacity. Most airbag systems are rated to 5000lbs.

R4Tech systems do just this, remove the stiff leaf springs and substitute air bags with no loss of capacity. Kelderman's 4 link system removes the leaf springs completely.

http://r4tech.com/how-it-works.html

https://kelderman.com/ford_super_duty_4_link_rear_air_suspension

OJ

[nremtp143]

I added bags for two reasons. One for the squatting and the other for changing road conditions. I keep my new truck at 7-10psi unloaded and it goes up to around 33 loaded with the 5er. Just keep in mind I've only moved it around the yard since I got the new truck:( Anyway, on my '10 6.4L I kept it at 12psi unloaded and it went up to 38 when loaded for a long trip, and then I would adjust it with the onboard air system when the roads get rough.

[C_Schomer]

"You have reduced the load capacity significantly by removing the overloads, regardless of the airbags." You'll never convince me of that one! So all the trucks, busses, RVs and any vehicles that were converted from springs to air don't have any load capacity? I did it and it works great. The bags are good for 5k lbs all by themselves and the bed is the same height loaded as it was empty. I added capacity AND got a better ride loaded. I had Airlift on my 97 and FS on my 03 - both double bellows. My neighbors' truck is the identical twin to mine and he has Airlift single bellows and the travel looks like it would be really short. Craig

[Slownsy]

I understand why AniJets may engage as it is lowered but wood not expect a empty ? 5000 capacity suspension to engage overloads, that can not be normal
. My F250 has got over 3000lbs payload no overload springs rides reasnebli empty most of the time but gets the ocaysnelbli jar.
Frank

[Cummins12V98]

JohnD222 wrote:
Hmaiaga,

Air bags do little or nothing for "teeth jarring," unless you are talking about a 1990's vintage, that is 100% shocks. Bilstein's will fix that. Unless you are lifted, the best ride will come from their hd 4600 (yellow with blue boots), not the 5100 silver steel ones.

I agree about the Bilstien's but air bags do help! Just set to 30# loaded.

hmalaga wrote:
I have a 2009 2500 HD Duramax.... I'm thinking about installing air bags and am wondering if while not towing do they improve the ride of the truck. You know less jarring....smoother ride etc ??????

[Cummins12V98]

kohana wrote:
For those posting towing airbag psi is that before or after hooking up?

I run mine at 5psi solo and with 4,500# pin weight the psi automatically goes to 30psi. Bags for me are to control harsh road conditions not to raise or level load.

[JohnD222]

Kahona,

When loaded, you want to air up towards unloaded level profile, so as to keep the headlights out of the trees but not to the point that you take the factory springs, particularly the over-rides out of the equation. Depending upon the trailer pin weight or bumper weight, you might see unloaded pressures increase by 15 to 25 psi. For example unloaded i run 5 psi, prepare to load 5er i raise it up to 25-30. When 5er is loaded it becomes 45-50 psi. Just like tire pressures, with heat from activity this may go up another 5 psi or so, and in early morning cold it may be down 10 psi or so.

Too much air and you ride like a concrete mixer, not enough and your rear end sags and you bottom out hard against the axle stops a lot. That teeth-jarring bottoming our is much rougher than riding empty on bad shocks.

kohana wrote:
For those posting towing airbag psi is that before or after hooking up?

[MX-RV]

At 10# min I find there is a slight stiffening but just enough to take the initial start shutter from the drive train. At 20# unloaded its very stiff but not tooth loosening, and I run between 50-60 with the trailer on. Takes the start shutter right out and reduces the front to back oscillation when accelerating, braking or driving on rough roads almost completely. We still have a little "motion of the ocean" as we offectionately call it but its neither tooth loosening nor neasuating as it was before the ab's

[JohnD222]

Hmaiaga,

Air bags do little or nothing for "teeth jarring," unless you are talking about a 1990's vintage, that is 100% shocks. Bilstein's will fix that. Unless you are lifted, the best ride will come from their hd 4600 (yellow with blue boots), not the 5100 silver steel ones.

hmalaga wrote:
I have a 2009 2500 HD Duramax.... I'm thinking about installing air bags and am wondering if while not towing do they improve the ride of the truck. You know less jarring....smoother ride etc ??????

[kohana]

For those posting towing airbag psi is that before or after hooking up?

[roy67ss]

AniJet wrote:

Slownsy wrote:
? How dos a dually contact overload springs when empty. Frank.

I lowered the rear end with shackles. This made the overloads closer to the stops and caused slapping when empty. I removed the overloads and installed bags. It's a great setup. Fits the trailer, rides the same empty and maintains ride height when towing. Installed the Air Lift SmartAir system so all is automatic.

You have reduced the load capacity significantly by removing the overloads, regardless of the airbags.

[Cummins12V98]

WeBeFulltimers wrote:
I had Firestone air bags and they failed me. Changed to Timbrens and Bilsteins and am very happy with this setup.

If I were to go back to air bags I would buy the PacBrake brand.

That is what I have, seem to be top quality. Easy bolt on application. I also have the in cab controls and air horns.

[Randu]

allen8106 wrote:

Randu wrote:
I don't notice any difference in ride with or without airbags for normal "not towing" driving. Truck is stiffer if unhooked with 40# in bags. Air bag mfg recommends 5# minimum when not needed and truck rides like factory. They are a huge help in leveling the load and restoring normal spring travel when hooked up. Randu

Not to hijack the thread but what brand do you have? I have been wanting to install a set.

Air Lift and I installed in about 2 hours with no drilling and taking the time to study and re read instructions. I did not get the on board compressor. Randu