Air lift question

[jlfernan]

I have a 2016 F150 Supercrew 5.0. Towing a Dutchman Aspen TT. 6975 empty weight, 865 tongue weight. I have a Equalizer 4 point WD hitch. Tows OK but I'm considering Air lift bags for the rear. My question, are the 2000lb bags sufficient and will they make that big a difference?

[Miles_Away]

The main purpose of airbags is to return the tow vehicle to its' designed driving configuration (level) under load. A heavy trailer not only makes the rear of the truck sag creating headlight issues, it shifts weight from the front axle which can significantly reduce steering and front braking efficiency. These are real safety concerns. To the OP that stated air bags make it more difficult to hook up his trailer, might I suggest he simply not add air to the bags until after hitching up. Lastly, keep in mind that although airbags will improve your vehicle's handling and appearance under load, THEY DO NOT CHANGE YOUR VEHICLE'S GVWR, as established by the vehicle manufacturer. That number is what it is, no matter what improvement you make.

[goducks10]

If it tows okay then why do you want air bags? Guessing it really doesn't tow okay.

[dougk53]

I have 5000# bags in my truck. They were installed due to my carrying 2000# of wood to heat my house, stone and fill. Empty I run 10# of pressure, towing TT 21# of pressure depending on what is in the bed. I set the W/D with the bags aired up and had no trouble setting the hitch. They probably add some stability and take out a little of any pogo effect with the TT but my reasons for adding bags were dictated by the aforementioned circumstances. Another advantage is that generally with a properly set W/D the truck will still sit low in the back and when using bags the TV will be level and towing at night your headlights will be aimed more properly.
Good Luck

Doug

[Geno92308]

I have installed airbags on my two trucks I use for towing. My 1/2 ton squatted a lot with the 900 lb tounge weight and WD hitch. You adjust the air pressure to bring up the rear ride height to 1" less than no load. I do think it helps with handling. You are adding more spring with each additional psi in the bag. As the suspension moves, the effective psi is being changed This is precisely what you want. In a static position, with WD, and depending on load 60- 80 psi in the bags, the truck and trailer both set level.

My 3/4 ton with the same trailer feels way more stable, and uses half the air pressure due to stiffer stock springs. The same WD hitch needs to be set up differently, to accomplish the proper ride height of the front tires.

Although my air bags are both firestones, I switched to the air lift dual path wireless controller and smaller compressor on the new truck. I do prefer the wireless controller, significantly less installation hassle, and cost. I give up a pressure tank and compressor capabilities. However, using either mini compressor to air up a flat LT tire is outside their service factor.


I don't know which bags are the 2000 lb bags you state. Ride rite and airlift bags are rated at 5k - way beyond your trucks capacity. The 1000 lb airlifts are for coils which I don think you have (kinda an option for the new Rams, but not recommended)

[Bob_Olallawa]

I think the air bags will do nothing more than make adjusting the hitch set up more difficult. If you have the right weight distribution hitch you should be able to bring the rear of the truck within a couple inches of before trailer height. I put air bags on my last truck because I had another trailer besides my travel trailer. I didn't have a weight distribution on the dump trailer. After installing the air bags I always had a problem setting the hitch for the travel trailer.

[Lynnmor]

The point in having air bags is to return the ride height to near the unloaded height. If you have the WDH adjusted correctly and the rear is still too low, then the air bags are for you. You can calculate the weight of passengers, items in bed and the tongue weight to see how much lift you need. I think the bags you are considering will be fine. Do not expect any ride improvement as you are just adding additional spring.