Air suspension advantage or not

[BigD2]

I have a 2011 Ford F250 XLT 6.7L Diesel and I pull a FR Silverback LTDTS 33 foot fifth wheel. I am a little below max weights for truck and trailer. I was thinking about adding rear air suspension to help stabilize the ride.

Is this money well spent, and what are potential advantages?

Thanks In Advance
Dick

[fj12ryder]

Allworth wrote:
I know this will pull a firestorm down on my head, but my personal opinion is that if you need air bags then you do not have enough truck!

Well, if nobody ever had a personal opinion that was wrong then you're the first. As long as you accept it as a personal opinion and it isn't true in all instances, you're free to go on your merry way.

[C_Schomer]

"I know this will pull a firestorm down on my head, but my personal opinion is that if you need air bags then you do not have enough truck!"
Yes, that's your opinion and you know what opinions are like, don't you? I had air bags on my dually when I only had a 10k 5er and it had NOTHING to do with not having enough truck. There's lots of other advantages to air bags but if you never had them, you won't know, will you? Sorry, but you asked for it!Craig

[C-Bears]

Allworth wrote:
I know this will pull a firestorm down on my head, but my personal opinion is that if you need air bags then you do not have enough truck!

There could be some folks that have too much pin weight and try to use air bags to compensate for it.

In my case I installed Firestone bags with the onboard compressor for several reasons: (1) wanted my truck perfectly level while towing (2) wanted to cushion the ride (3) wanted to be able to adjust my ride while going down the road according to changing conditions.

If you are ever stuck towing after dark and your headlights are aimed up you will start thinking you need bags just for that reason alone!

[TXiceman]

Is the OP looking fro air suspension such as a Kelderman or Auto Flex system or just air springs over the axle. There is a big difference in cost and what they do.

Ken

[Allworth]

I know this will pull a firestorm down on my head, but my personal opinion is that if you need air bags then you do not have enough truck!

[TT_Tim]

I also added the Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags to My 2011 F-250. It really smooths out the ride over highway overpasses/bridges. It used to sag only a little but now 35 psi levels it out. I drop it to 5 psi when not towing. I added a Air lift Wireless One compressor and it's as easy as pushing the button on the remote to got from soft ride to tow ready. It also helps in lining up the height when connecting.

[TakingThe5th]

ventrman wrote:
Would't Airshocks work as well?

My brother once ripped off an upper shock mount while using air shocks. The airbags have a more secure mounting.

[Rough2000]

May want to take a look at "timbrens". No air required. Cheaper than air bags. Less maintence, uses regular suspension when not towing. Several of us in my Good Sams chapter have them on our 2500's and 250's.

[retispcsi]

I have used air bags on the last three Rams. The last two were Air Lift Ultimate. they have their own joyce and can run without air. Anyway the advantge for me is that they smooth out the ride. I tow heavy as you can see from my sig. I added a compressor this time so I can adjust anytime I want.

[ventrman]

Wouldn't Airshocks work as well?

[christopherglen]

Another advantage of OBA (on board air) is the ability to top off air in tires whenever you stop, and not be limited to gas stations. Also useful for the kids toys.

[bigdon68]

BigD2, I have the Firestone Ride Rites on my F350 just to level things out and soften any bounce. Loaded I only run 18-20 lbs of air. Unloaded about 5 lbs. I put them on myself. No big deal. Pretty straightforward.

Good luck. Enjoy the road.

bigdon68

[Water-Bug]

The advantage of airbags is that you can deflate them when not towing. Many 3/4 ton PUs are the same as their 1 ton brothers, except for the rear springs. By using airbags on a 3/4 ton, you can have a softer/more comfortable ride than a 1 ton, when not towing.
EDIT. Some people add an onboard air tank and/or compressor to their installation, to facilitate adjusting airbag pressure in remote locations. (Away from a compressed air source.)