Air bags

[manley]

What exactly do air bags do? I do not have a problem with tongue weight, GVWR, nor GCWR. What I do have is a stiff ride and a wife with a VERY bad back (2 failed back surgeries). Will air bags smooth the ride out?

[manley]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

Since my earlier, snarky reply was deleted, I want to reiterate something in perhaps a less snarky manner.

Please do not comment on something when you haven't even read the whole thread.

Not everyone needs a 3/4 or 1-ton truck.
My problem is not capacity, as I am within GVRW and GCWR and tow less than 80% of my rated capacity of 9,500 pounds.
My problem is not stability, as I have load range E tires and a Hensley Arrow Hitch.
My problem is certainly not power, as I have 403 hp and 420 lb/ft of torque.
My problem is that my wife has a debilitating back condition that makes it very uncomfortable for her to ride, particularly in a tow vehicle.
The central tenet of my question was whether air bags would improve the ride quality, thereby improving her (and my) quality of life.

Again, much thanks to those who have made helpful comments.

[rrev]

Finally, someone agrees with me that they help. If your truck is sagging at all, the spring rate is stiffer than at unhitched and empty. That's the point of leaf springs, to get stiffer as you add weight.

[goducks10]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

You don't know squat. (pun)

I put air bags on a 1/2 ton that I was having a rough ride with while towing.
What I had was a fairly light TW and stiff spring bars. So I went with lighter bars and then added bags for the heavy load in the truck bed.
I loaded the truck up with camping stuff, then aired the bags up to bring the trucks rear back to original hgt.
Then hitched up the TT and used the spring bars to set the front of the truck up.
Road like a Caddy.

[Colberjs]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

False

[Cummins12V98]

Air bags WILL help even out the really lousy roads. Air them just enough to maintain a level truck.

[dwayneb236]

Heck, I have a '16 F350 diesel with 5600 lbs of payload and I wouldn't mind having airbags. I have plenty of truck but I just like the looks of a level TV. Mine does drop a bit but it handles great. Doubt I can sell my wife on them though.

[coolbreeze01]

If you need bags, you don't have enough pickup.

[manley]

LIKE2BUILD wrote:


There is a company in Iowa called Kelderman that makes a multi-link air bag system that uses your OEM spring mounts and replaces your leaf packs with air bags. A fully air ride rear suspension might ride better but I can't say for sure.

KJ

Thanks for the info, but they actually don't do kits for 1/2 ton trucks.... 3/4 ton & up only.
Looks like there isn't really much to do other than tough it out.

[LIKE2BUILD]

manley wrote:
What exactly do air bags do? I do not have a problem with tongue weight, GVWR, nor GCWR. What I do have is a stiff ride and a wife with a VERY bad back (2 failed back surgeries). Will air bags smooth the ride out?

Manley,
Helper air bags like Airlift or Firestone Ride-Rite will not make the ride any smoother. The only thing they do is assist the leaf springs to let you carry heavy weight without the springs compressing to the point of reaching the bump stops.

There is a company in Iowa called Kelderman that makes a multi-link air bag system that uses your OEM spring mounts and replaces your leaf packs with air bags. A fully air ride rear suspension might ride better but I can't say for sure.

KJ

[azdryheat]

The only place air bags might help your wife is if you were to have a Class A diesel pusher. Those things have air bag suspension that contributes to a luxury smooth ride.

[manley]

dave17352 wrote:
Manley how much is the tongue weight? When you say very little squat. Do you mean very little squat from the unloaded position. If so I bet you your rig would ride better if you could put more weight on the hitch. JMHO

Don't know exactly what the TW is, it has been a LONG time since I weighed it. Unloaded, I think the spec is 630'ish, but put 60 pounds of LP and a battery, plus full front storage, and I'm easily at 1,000 (or more).

Interesting thought. I will definitely try that when we head out next month.

Thanks again....

[Terryallan]

manley wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
Is your truck a 1500 2500 or 3500. If it is a 3500 more weight may improve your ride. My 3500 rides excellent with a heavy load. I have all of the big three and have always found chevy trucks to be the smoothest going down the road. I also don't think air bags will help. But who knows. JMHO

Truck is a 1500 extended cab, 4WD, with 7,200 GVWR.
I have a Hensley Arrow, and there is very little squat in the rear end.

Thanks for the replies.

Nope. Bags won't help your problem. May make it stiffer though

[dave17352]

Manley how much is the tongue weight? When you say very little squat. Do you mean very little squat from the unloaded position. If so I bet you your rig would ride better if you could put more weight on the hitch. JMHO

[manley]

dave17352 wrote:
Is your truck a 1500 2500 or 3500. If it is a 3500 more weight may improve your ride. My 3500 rides excellent with a heavy load. I have all of the big three and have always found chevy trucks to be the smoothest going down the road. I also don't think air bags will help. But who knows. JMHO

Truck is a 1500 extended cab, 4WD, with 7,200 GVWR.
I have a Hensley Arrow, and there is very little squat in the rear end.

Thanks for the replies.