air bags on 5500 gmc

[trappersgo]

Any thoughts on putting air bags on my 2008 seneca 5500 gmc.

[ronfisherman]

bagman wrote:
Ron, which diesel engine between the Navistar MaxxForce 7 & The GM 6.6 Duramax do you prefer? Obviously both can be mated to an Allison transmission! Nexus RV is using the Navistar/International straight truck chassis with MaxxForce 7 mated to an Allison tranny. Chuck/Bagman.

I would say to the Duramax is a better engine overall.
I have not seen many negative reports on the MaxXForce 7 engine. That are failures of the engines.
Beyond that unless you are buying a 2010 or older Super C you are not going to find the Duramax.
I notice that on the larger 2016 Ghost models that Nexus is using the Cummins engine.
I do not see any mention of Exhaust Brake in any of their adds.

[bagman]

Ron, which diesel engine between the Navistar MaxxForce 7 & The GM 6.6 Duramax do you prefer? Obviously both can be mated to an Allison transmission! Nexus RV is using the Navistar/International straight truck chassis with MaxxForce 7 mated to an Allison tranny. Chuck/Bagman.

[trappersgo]

Thanks for the input.
I am thinking of putting air bags on my 5500.
But wondering if it would be worth the cost.
My ride is truckish and wondering if i can get a softer ride.

[ronfisherman]

Your right, Off topic.
But there is a on going thread on Diesel Place about 4500 5500 replacement. Nothing happening. One of the discussions is GM & International getting together to make a Medium Duty Truck. I would look over there for this kind of info.

[Explorer1016]

ronfisherman wrote:
I have Firestone Ride Rite air bags on my C5500. They work great. Installed 50,000 miles and 8 years ago. I have controls for the bags inside under dash. My motorhome came with a air compressor and tank so it was a easy hook. Those that do not have a compressor put tire valves on each bag that allows easy adjustments.
Many of Seneca owners have installed Super Springs. They are happy with with upgrade. Cost is about the same for each system. Super Springs need special tools to install. Air bags can be installed with normal hand tools.

Ron, this is off topic but the OP seems to have left the conversation. I LOVE the Kodiaks. I keep watching google and GM to see if they will start producing an updated version of the 5500's. there is speculation about 2016 but noting coming out of GM. I am and always have been a Chevy guy.

[ronfisherman]

I have Firestone Ride Rite air bags on my C5500. They work great. Installed 50,000 miles and 8 years ago. I have controls for the bags inside under dash. My motorhome came with a air compressor and tank so it was a easy hook. Those that do not have a compressor put tire valves on each bag that allows easy adjustments.
Many of Seneca owners have installed Super Springs. They are happy with with upgrade. Cost is about the same for each system. Super Springs need special tools to install. Air bags can be installed with normal hand tools.

[Explorer1016]

Not sure what kind of thoughts you are looking for. However, I own an F550 which is Fords equivalent of GM's 5500 Medium Duty Class 5 chassis.
I just put Air Lift bags on mine in February. For me they have made a noticeable and improved ride difference. My truck was sitting on the overload leafs already so my first step was installing the upper Load Levelers. They cost almost as much as the air bags believe it or not. They raised the rear end about 3" because they are 4" blocks. They worked great right off the bat. But then the truck started going back to it normal behavior. So i bought the Air Lift air bag kit afterall. One side was super easy to install the other side took about 5 hours to install because that side of the frame rail was the path for fuel lines, hydraulic lines and electric cables.

Finally got both installed and now I can control the rear height. It rides better, it handles better and it sits better. I installed separate air valves for each side as opposed to running both to one fill valve like I did on my pickup trucks. this way I can control ride height individually. Many motor homes are heavier on one side.

Again, not sure what you are looking for in an answer but I am glad I did installed them. I just wish I had the time to install the air pump kit that is an option for the bag kit.