Do I need air bags on my 2016 F350?

[NorthernNeck_VA]

I bought a 2016 F350 over the weekend to replace my 05 F350. On my 05 I installed air bags. I am wondering if I will need to install them on the 2016. I am pulling a 41 foot Landmark San Antiono.

Thoughts??

Thanks.

NNK

[justme]

I have F350 SRW 2012 diesel truck with all of Ford's heavy duty stock suspension options pulling a 2012 Landmark. NO problems. The truck sits level and all the Ford specs are meet except Combined weight- which is 200 lbs over according to Cat Scale. I have pulled the trailer coast to coast and border to border including Canada with an accumulated 70,000 pulling miles. Never felt unsafe and the truck handles the trailer very well with decent fuel millage.

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you needed them on your 05 you will need them on your 16. Same rear suspension. 2017 is when they stepped up.

Wrong....

OK, just cuz u r DaFish does not mean you can get away with "WRONG"

Differences:
Spring length
Spring width
Spring thickness
Spring quantity
Different gap from overload spring to frame bumps
Different sway bar and mounting

[ToddD]

N-Trouble wrote:

Also consider Timbrens. I have used bags in the past and like them but Im also liking these Timbrens on my current truck. Something to be said about the simplicity, $, and ease of install.

Speaking of Timbrens, how's ride quality when fully loaded? My dually is within pin weight spec, and sits level, but squats a lot with big highway dips.

[nremtp143]

G-Dad wrote:

I also have a VIAIR compressor/tank unit in my truck. What control system did you use to interface the air bags to your air system?

This dual pneumatic gauge from Firestone. It comes in both black and white faces.
Firestone Pneumatic Gauge

[N-Trouble]

old guy wrote:
hook up and see how level the truck stands. let that be your answer

^^THIS^^

Also consider Timbrens. I have used bags in the past and like them but Im also liking these Timbrens on my current truck. Something to be said about the simplicity, $, and ease of install.

[Cummins12V98]

Garry&Gayle wrote:
I carry 4300# pin weight on a 15 F350 DRW, I can get by without air bags but 40psi in the bags improves the ride.

I had 4,500# pin on my 11 HO Dually RAM. It did NOT need bags but 30psi loaded and new Bilstein's made a huge difference on same roads compared to without.

[G-Dad]

nremtp143 wrote:

G-Dad wrote:
I have the same truck with about 3K pin weight from my fiver. Good roads all OK. Bad roads, potholes and hard bridge expansion joints not so good. Thinking seriously about adding some sort of rear suspension assist.

Part of the reason why my last tow SDs have had airbags on them. Plus, it took away the "launch shudder" that some of them have. Another plus is that I put in an onboard air system with pneumatic controls so I can change the pressures in the bags when the road conditions change.

I also have a VIAIR compressor/tank unit in my truck. What control system did you use to interface the air bags to your air system?

[JIMNLIN]

old guy wrote:
hook up and see how level the truck stands. let that be your answer

Good post.
Lots of guessing here. Load 'er all up and make a run down the road.....then decide if any suspension help is needed.

[Garry_Gayle]

I carry 4300# pin weight on a 15 F350 DRW, I can get by without air bags but 40psi in the bags improves the ride.

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you needed them on your 05 you will need them on your 16. Same rear suspension. 2017 is when they stepped up.

Wrong....

OK, just cuz u r DaFish does not mean you can get away with "WRONG"

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you needed them on your 05 you will need them on your 16. Same rear suspension. 2017 is when they stepped up.

Wrong....

[Me_Again]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you needed them on your 05 you will need them on your 16. Same rear suspension. 2017 is when they stepped up.

What he said^^^^^!

[Cummins12V98]

azdryheat wrote:
My Voltage has 3500# on the pin and I haven't found the need for bags.

That is not a lot of pin. I am sure you would not need bags even at 4,500#. The last generation of Fords seemed to need bags more than GM or RAM.

[Lwiddis]

I disagree! A brand new truck, a 350, and OP thinks air bags may be needed? Why isn’t the same as buying a Ram 1500 and trying to tow a “way too big” TT? OP bought an inadequate truck.

[nremtp143]

G-Dad wrote:
I have the same truck with about 3K pin weight from my fiver. Good roads all OK. Bad roads, potholes and hard bridge expansion joints not so good. Thinking seriously about adding some sort of rear suspension assist.

Part of the reason why my last tow SDs have had airbags on them. Plus, it took away the "launch shudder" that some of them have. Another plus is that I put in an onboard air system with pneumatic controls so I can change the pressures in the bags when the road conditions change.