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

[Cummins12V98]

C Schomer 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!"
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

I totally agree with the quote! He said "need" that is a lot different than want to add bags to help control springs.

I have bags on my Dually and run 30psi loaded with 4,500# pin wt. The bags are to control the springs on some of our lovely roads and are not for changing ride ht.

[C-Bears]

BigD2, just realized from you post that you are located in East Peoria, IL. You may want to stop by TrucknStuff up on War Memorial and ask them to look at an install for Firestone air bags. They do a ton of bags in this area. My bags do not interfere with my Reese hitch on rails.

[SH]

Paul Clancy wrote:
The bump stop hole is the only frame hole used by the firestone bags on my 09 GM hd since the bags replace the bump stops.

This is good information...thanks!

[Paul_Clancy]

So the rail kit covers the hole for the bump stop? That would mean you now have no bump stop which is unlikely. The bump stop hole is the only frame hole used by the firestone bags on my 09 GM hd since the bags replace the bump stops. Must be a totally different setup on the Fords.

[Racine96]

I have Reese with Air Lift and have had no problems.

[redsb3]

Have you checked out Air Lift bags, they may work for you. They have quite a few "no drill" installations.

[BigD2]

I found out today that the Firestone air bags I was thinking about buying will not work with the custom frame rail kit that I used to install my fifth wheel hitch as it covers the hole in the truck frame that is used to connect the top flange of the air bag kit to the frame. from the inside. This is the frame rail kit




Has anyone had this problem and were you able to solve it? According to Reese it will void the warranty if I drill a hole for the new Air Bag installation.

All of this is making me look to another way to solve the problem. Has anyone had any experience with Super Springs?

[allen8106]

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!


Ditto

[noteven]

If you add more spring capacity for the load by adding air spring kits or overload spring "early engagers" - try a pair of full hydraulic shock absorbers in place of gas shocks.

[Paul_Clancy]

IF they work on semi tractors who pull within their capacities they can surely do the same on our trucks. I've had 3 tow vehicles with them now and won't tow without.

[socoguy]

Quote: Maximize safe load-carrying capacity, increase stability and improve ride quality,Keep your TV level when you are hauling a heavy load,Improve steering control and braking when you are hauling or towing,Level your headlight beams, Reduce tire wear, Maintain even load distribution with air pressure, leveling off-center loads Air bags adjust manually, side to side, with individual inflation valves
Reduce strain on rear suspension. Prevent permanent sagging and excessive friction in leaf springs, Increase stability, Absorb road shock for a smooth ride, Soften contact between axle and frame to prevent bottoming out

X2 Good sensible commentary from BigD2

[lee_worsdell]

love them on my 2013 gmc 2500slt it rides a lot better when I put 30lbs in for towing 13500 trailer. Not as much movement all round

[BigD2]

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!

I don't think there will be a firestorm. That is a very understandable point of view. I think we all know that there are many rigs running around with not enough truck. We have all had a good laugh at the statement made by some RV salesman claiming that this or that trailer is half ton towable. On my particular rig I am 10% under all manufacturers weights for GCWR the truck and trailer. I don't think that air bags can do much of anything to help with a rig that is overweight. It is not realistic to say that any truck drives and feels the same towing or just using it as a daily driver, and it is that difference that I am trying to help correct, or at least help. With a loaded trailer my truck sits down approximately
3" and I would like it to be level, but there are other advantages as listed below

Maximize safe load-carrying capacity, increase stability and improve ride quality,Keep your TV level when you are hauling a heavy load,Improve steering control and braking when you are hauling or towing,Level your headlight beams, Reduce tire wear, Maintain even load distribution with air pressure, leveling off-center loads Air bags adjust manually, side to side, with individual inflation valves
Reduce strain on rear suspension. Prevent permanent sagging and excessive friction in leaf springs, Increase stability, Absorb road shock for a smooth ride, Soften contact between axle and frame to prevent bottoming out.

[fj12ryder]

Are you talking rear air suspension, or just adding supplemental air bags?

I have the Firestone air bags on my Dodge and am very happy with them. They smoothed out the ride considerably.