Air bags - required ?

[Shipwreck2]

So we have our 5th wheel a cougar xlite being pulled by an f250 6.7l diesel and it works well. I would like air bags but my question for now is do I need them? With the trailer fully loaded for a trip with water I only get 1.5" drop in the box of the truck.

We will be doing a 2week 2500km(round trip) vacation to the east cost in a couple weeks. I have had no issues so far without airbags. Any experience of those who towed without and then added later on how performance improved? Just trying to put off the purchase cost if I can.

[rhagfo]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
A trip across the 'scales' will give you real world weight numbers vs wondering IF I need this or that band-aid fix

I didn't need a trip to the scales to know i was going to be OK towing our new rig once I put the pin on the TV!!

The only issues I had were leveling the 5er, and smoothing the 5er's ride.

[Old-Biscuit]

A trip across the 'scales' will give you real world weight numbers vs wondering IF I need this or that band-aid fix

[rreynold51]

I have them too but my truck doesn't dip much with little air in them. The trailer is level. The only time I'm glad I have them is when I hit one of those unexpected bumps, usually in the middle of the freeway in a big city, and it really bounces. The air bags take some of the "bump" out of it and I don't have to worry about bottoming out.

Always nice to have extra stuff on the truck though. 🙂

[fj12ryder]

If your lights are pointing straight down the highway and not pointing at the treetops, you're good. No sense adding complexity if it isn't needed.

[rhagfo]

No bags needed here either!!!

[the_bear_II]

My truck would drop about 2 inches which put the suspension closer to the factory overload springs. This gave a very pleasant and stable feeling ride even on bumpy roads. No need for airbags.

[Durb]

I removed the extra spring on my 3500 Ram to soften things up when loaded. As an offset, I installed air bags at the same time. Never used them once, just keep them aired to 6 lbs to avoid damage. 1,800# pin, 300# hitch and most of the time 200# of firewood in bed. Tows real nice.

[laknox]

agesilaus wrote:
No you do not need them

x2. 1.5" squat is nothing.

Lyle

[hotrod4x5]

I towed with my F250 and 5th wheel thousands of miles on stock springs and nothing else. You don't need it.

[kennethwooster]

I bought a 6.7 F250 that did not have the tow package. My truck would dip very low so yes I installed air bags. Really don't think I would do that with no more drop then you have. You can go straight to Firestone and get the best price. However they are still expensive. Too, even with only 10psi required for truck not loaded, made the truck very rough ride. I finally went to a F350 dRW. Different as day and night when towing.

[agesilaus]

No you do not need them