2015 F-350 w/ AF 811, Stable load or Air Bags

[Big-wheel]

So my parents just bought an Artic Fox 811 and a 2015 F-350 ccsb 6.7. So my questions are for that setup what would be the pros and cons of running stable loads or doing air bags? They will do some light off road forest roads.

Thanks

[Reddog1]

snakyjake, I think you and I are of the same opinion. While fixed suspension is certainly okay and works for a lot of people, I am convinced that an adjustable suspension (air bags & shocks) is the way to go. Especially if the adjustment can be made from the driver seat while on the road.

Flat lands with a strong side wind, add or reduce air in the air bag on one side of the truck. Road conditions change resulting in purposing, change the air pressure in front or rear (or both) shocks. This is just a couple of the most obvious advantages.

Wayne

[Reddog1]

Bedlam - Total weight on the way camping is 6200 pounds on rear axle. Of that about 4200 to 4300 is the TC.

The height from the ground to the highest point (A/C) of the TC is 10'3".

Wayne

[snakyjake]

I've been looking at a lot of suspensions lately, sifting through marketing and opinions, and trying to figure out the pros/cons.

Here's my opinion so far:

Stable Load (and similar)
You add springs to your truck for the load you are going to carry.
The extra springs are engaged when you carry the load, disengaged when empty.
You only have two settings.
Stock ride comfort when empty.

Hybrid Springs & Air Bags
Stock ride comfort when empty.
Truck leveling.
Variable load adjustments.

Full Air Bags
Softer ride comfort.
Ride leveling.
Variable load adjustments.

I think there's a good reason why commercial semi-trucks use air bags. The trucks even have air bags for the front, the cab, and the seats. Whether or not the semi-truck suspension advantages transfer to a pickup truck are the same or not, is my question. If so, then I believe the semi-trucks have outlined the future.

Jake

[Bedlam]

Your 11.5 Bigfoot is probably lighter than the Arctic Fox 811 and is definitely shorter in height. How much weight are you carrying on that Dodge rear axle? The ones reporting better results with StableLoads are the ones that are loaded the heaviest.

[Reddog1]

I have been running the air bags only for over 175,00 miles. I do not have overload springs. I am totally okay with my trucks road manners under all conditions. I use my air bags quite often for leveling the TC. That is something Stable Loads cannot do.

Forest roads have not been any different than on the highway, as far as handling goes. I will say, I have had several suspension modification types through the years, but never the Stable Loads.

Wayne

[deltabravo]

wcjeep wrote:
Airbags can unload the suspension. Stable Loads engage the suspension sooner. Stable loads first.

Ditto.

I wish I'd have installed StableLoads First, and I would never have spent the money on airbags.

Stableloads do a lot more for me than the airbags - AF811 on a 2009 Silverado Dually.

[wcjeep]

Airbags can unload the suspension. Stable Loads engage the suspension sooner. Stable loads first.

[Carb_Cleaner]

My 2013 F250 with Camper Package (10,000 pound rated) has the upper Stableloads. The rear pads touch and the front pads are within an 1/8"-1/4" of touching the overload springs when the bed is empty and 75 pounds of stuff in the back seat of the Super Cab. It's a rather rough ride. I also have Timbrens SES (fancy axle bump-stops), which have reduced side-to-side sway, nicely, while the camper is loaded (about 3,000 pounds). The Timbrens have an inch gap to the axle when the bed is empty.
This discussion has me wondering if I should ditch the upper Stableloads and try the lowers, in conjunction with the Timbrens. Not an attempted hi-jack. Just a thought.
Air bags sound like a PITA.

[Bedlam]

My F250 with camper package only needed the upper and lower StableLoads to carry the camper. With the camper off the truck, the lower StableLoads can be disabled and the upper ones will not touch the overload springs. They will not need air bags unless they plan to tow something with a heavy tongue weight.

The crew cab length most likely will not transfer any of the camper weight to the front axle, so get a good idea of how much weight is on the rear axle to make sure you have sufficient capacity tires. I was typically around 7000 lbs on the rear without the trailer.

[jimh406]

Air bags are adjustable. You can have both.