Air suspension

[AKinLA]

Thoughts on air suspension kits? Brands, pluses minuses?

I've got a 2016 F-250 4x4 6.7 power stroke and getting set up for pulling a 5th wheel.

[1jeep]

I ran the air bags on my 250 even when I had the travel trailer, it was nice to be able to level the load and now with the 5th wheel I still use them.

[AKinLA]

Again thanks for the replies,

I purchased a 5th wheel this weekend, a 2015 Outback 296FRS, dry weight 8500 lbs. Thinking I probably don't need the air supports as the trailer is light, going to pull it a bit before making decision if I need to put one in.

[1jeep]

if you must know at the time of purchase in 2011, my trailer was a 32' travel trailer and well within the trucks limits. this past season we purchased a 5th wheel that is at its limits, so we do intend to purchase a f650 tow vehicle shortly.....you can rest at ease soon your family will be safe again!

[mkirsch]

Boy, if only we knew that a good deal was the only criteria for choosing a suitable tow vehicle, we could have saved ourselves a LOT of typing over the years!

Ok, I'm being sarcastic. I mean as long as you don't get too crazy with the trailer an F250 is perfectly fine... But you know as well as any of us that your wife is going to fall absolutely *IN LOVE* with some massive 42' long 16,000lb McMansion of a 5th wheel.

Hold off on the airbags until you get the trailer. For all you know you won't need 'em, and you'll just be wasting money.

[1jeep]

AKinLA wrote:
Appreciate the feedback, will look at the the different options suggested.

Never pulled or owned a 5th wheel so didn't know all the ins and outs of how the truck should be set up from the dealer. It has the towing package and bed is ready to bolt in the hitch and four aux switches wired in. Guess if I knew about having dealer put the air suspension in when I purchased it or anything else you want to take shots at I wouldnt be on this forum asking advise from those willing to help me figured it out.

I got the 250 opposed to the 350 because it is also my commuting vehicle to work (small parking garage). I also knew I wasn't going to get a very large or heavy trailer. And yes I got a very good deal on the truck.....

I did the same thing, dealer made me a deal I couldn't walk away from on a 250, but I will tell you they are the same truck just different spring ratings.
I am running firestones, do note to the place you purchase from that you have a 5th wheel hitch. I was told there are different kits when it comes to how the air bags mount.

[calewjohnson]

rhagfo wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

AKinLA wrote:
Thoughts on air suspension kits? Brands, pluses minuses?

I've got a 2016 F-250 4x4 6.7 power stroke and getting set up for pulling a 5th wheel.

:h

You just bought a band new 2016, and you didn't get setup correctly to tow a 5er?

Nothin better to do this morning, eh?
Sounds like he is getting it set up.......maybe he should have done that while the truck still belonged to the dealer??
Guess I'd wait til I owned the truck!
If you're suggesting a 350, maybe he got a deal on the 250, didn't want to wait to order a 350, wanted a clas 2 for licensing, only toes the fiver once in a while, wanted a smoother ride unloaded, etc, etc.

Nope up early, just to stir the pot. :B

Could have gotten a new truck from a dealer with factory Air Suspension, yes $1,500 option, but not an add on, and in both 2500 or 3500.
Just saying. :B

He purchased a Ford, not a Dodge. Dodge has factory air, Ford doesn't, unless they are adding it to the 2017 model year, along with the frame redesign. He is doing everything correctly. He bought the truck that fits his needs, now making it a better ride while towing.

OP, I am a big fan of PAC Brake bags, they look to be better built. There is also the Hellwig bags, which carry 5600 lbs vice the 5000 lbs the others carry. On the Powerstroke forum, there are some nice write ups with pics regarding on board air. This is my current project.

Good luck, and don't let the folks get you down here. I have pretty much stopped posting in this forum in lieu of other smaller forums which are more personable. There is a lot of good info here for browsing.

Cale

[rhagfo]

Grit dog wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

AKinLA wrote:
Thoughts on air suspension kits? Brands, pluses minuses?

I've got a 2016 F-250 4x4 6.7 power stroke and getting set up for pulling a 5th wheel.

:h

You just bought a band new 2016, and you didn't get setup correctly to tow a 5er?

Nothin better to do this morning, eh?
Sounds like he is getting it set up.......maybe he should have done that while the truck still belonged to the dealer??
Guess I'd wait til I owned the truck!
If you're suggesting a 350, maybe he got a deal on the 250, didn't want to wait to order a 350, wanted a clas 2 for licensing, only toes the fiver once in a while, wanted a smoother ride unloaded, etc, etc.

Nope up early, just to stir the pot. :B

Could have gotten a new truck from a dealer with factory Air Suspension, yes $1,500 option, but not an add on, and in both 2500 or 3500.
Just saying. :B

[AKinLA]

Appreciate the feedback, will look at the the different options suggested.

Never pulled or owned a 5th wheel so didn't know all the ins and outs of how the truck should be set up from the dealer. It has the towing package and bed is ready to bolt in the hitch and four aux switches wired in. Guess if I knew about having dealer put the air suspension in when I purchased it or anything else you want to take shots at I wouldnt be on this forum asking advise from those willing to help me figured it out.

I got the 250 opposed to the 350 because it is also my commuting vehicle to work (small parking garage). I also knew I wasn't going to get a very large or heavy trailer. And yes I got a very good deal on the truck.....

[Grit_dog]

rhagfo wrote:

AKinLA wrote:
Thoughts on air suspension kits? Brands, pluses minuses?

I've got a 2016 F-250 4x4 6.7 power stroke and getting set up for pulling a 5th wheel.

:h

You just bought a band new 2016, and you didn't get setup correctly to tow a 5er?

Nothin better to do this morning, eh?
Sounds like he is getting it set up.......maybe he should have done that while the truck still belonged to the dealer??
Guess I'd wait til I owned the truck!
If you're suggesting a 350, maybe he got a deal on the 250, didn't want to wait to order a 350, wanted a clas 2 for licensing, only toes the fiver once in a while, wanted a smoother ride unloaded, etc, etc.

[rhagfo]

AKinLA wrote:
Thoughts on air suspension kits? Brands, pluses minuses?

I've got a 2016 F-250 4x4 6.7 power stroke and getting set up for pulling a 5th wheel.

:h

You just bought a band new 2016, and you didn't get setup correctly to tow a 5er?

[Colo_Native]

I just installed a Ride Rite by Firestone, but I think I would seriously consider the Ultimate 5000 because it has the built in jounce bumper. I use a bike pump and it works great. You could use 4 hands and it will take long than the 2hrs. they say.

[WNYBob]

Make sure you get the air bags with the internal bumper so you don't have to worry about having the minimum pressure.

[Lynnmor]

I used the Air-Lift with a wireless control on my F-250. Getting that !@#$% top bolt in was half the job. I wasn't too happy with the paint loss from poor packaging, the sharp edges and the interference with the hoses. After altering the mounts, deburring the edges and painting all the black parts, I have a good system.

Look here for some help on another brand: Video

[smithrjd]

I put an airlift kit in my 2014 2500HD Silverado, just in case. No issues and works quite well. Installation was not hard at all. It can give you a margin, but I would not depend on an air kit to increase capacity beyond limits. Without a trailer and pumped up the ride can be harsh.