Air bags

[batmack]

Thanks everyone. I was not concerned about the weight. Was curious about the benefits of air bags.

[C_Schomer]

My heavy bed put me close to the bottom OLs and they ruined the ride. I added the bags and tried removing the OLs but my 2wd really needed that extra 3/4". I put them back in but with the ends cut off. Then I added a 3" x 24" PVC expansion tank to the bags cuz the compression was coming up too quickly. It was a serious of trial and error but I got my dually riding better than any 1/2T I've had. I can tune out bad roads with the bags and the air-adjust Rancho shocks do just as much good as the bags. Craig

[mdamerell]

john&bet wrote:

mdamerell wrote:
We added them not for the weight but to get us away from the overload spring. When loaded we were 1/4" off the overloads so when we hit a bump a got a double bounce as the suspension bumped off the overload springs. The air bags leveled us a little and got ride of the second bump. We run about 5-8# empty and the ride is a little worse but made a difference while loaded. I set the bags about 15# then set the trailer on it. Have not measured it with the trailer attached. Some people air the bags up separate to allow them to level side to side. I just "plumbed" them together so they equalize like on my big truck.

Would love to just swap out the suspension for an air ride suspension but not in the budget.

Since you do not need the overloads, would it have been cheaper to just remove them?

Probably; thought of taking the frame brackets off but not sure how I would use the truck in the future. This way I have more options. By scales I have 3,500 cargo capacity and only 2,600# of pin weight so I have room. The 2004 trucks had low numbers compared to the new trucks.

[Old-Biscuit]

LINK to other Air Bag post

[retispcsi]

I have used air bags on my last three trucks Including the one in the sig. First I use Air Lift Ultimate. They can be run without air as they have a bumper within them. The first truck I always had to make sure I had 5lbs in each min. when empty. I use them to assisted with the loaded ride. They make a difference on bad roads. They will level out truck aka headlights Also I put a compressor on this truck what a nice option. My opinion is I tow big, heavy and far. Why not make the journey as pleasant as possible.

[Brad_NSW]

I put the airbags on to: 1) Level the truck a bit (run at 35psi) and 2)dampen the bounce going over things like freeway overpasses or RR tracks. Makes for a much smoother ride and the "chucking" went away completely.

[john_bet]

mdamerell wrote:
We added them not for the weight but to get us away from the overload spring. When loaded we were 1/4" off the overloads so when we hit a bump a got a double bounce as the suspension bumped off the overload springs. The air bags leveled us a little and got ride of the second bump. We run about 5-8# empty and the ride is a little worse but made a difference while loaded. I set the bags about 15# then set the trailer on it. Have not measured it with the trailer attached. Some people air the bags up separate to allow them to level side to side. I just "plumbed" them together so they equalize like on my big truck.

Would love to just swap out the suspension for an air ride suspension but not in the budget.

Since you do not need the overloads, would it have been cheaper to just remove them?

[mdamerell]

We added them not for the weight but to get us away from the overload spring. When loaded we were 1/4" off the overloads so when we hit a bump a got a double bounce as the suspension bumped off the overload springs. The air bags leveled us a little and got ride of the second bump. We run about 5-8# empty and the ride is a little worse but made a difference while loaded. I set the bags about 15# then set the trailer on it. Have not measured it with the trailer attached. Some people air the bags up separate to allow them to level side to side. I just "plumbed" them together so they equalize like on my big truck.

Would love to just swap out the suspension for an air ride suspension but not in the budget.

[waltbennett]

Our Ford came with them installed. Just got back home after 5,400 miles of towing fully loaded in 9 weeks with only 20 lbs in them. They helped level everything and kept us from bouncing a lot, but didn't ride that well when we were driving about solo. Usually I only have 10 or less pounds in them. Don't know as I'd get them myself unless the truck/trailer needed leveling help.

[TomHaycraft]

Level the TV and I'm guessing might help to stabilize the suspension a bit as well ... or at least my Timbrens did!