Can’t afford new air bags right now

[LL8]

Moved up to a F350 DRW and need to take a little sag and sway out of the set-up. I can’t afford air bags right now but I do have a set of timbren bump stops left over from my last set-up. The camper is pretty light weight 4200# and only drops the bed about 1 1/2 “ when loaded. Eventually I’ll save up enough for air bags and swapping the factory sway bar for a hellwig but for now I’m thinking:
Upper overload super sway stops ($165) and adding the timbren suspension bump stops.
I had homemade wedges on my bottom overloads with my last set-up but don’t think They would do a whole lot with the DRW.
Are there any other inexpensive adjustments that I may be over looking you would recommend? Thanks

[Bedlam]

Airbags are good once you get your overload springs engaged. Until then, they make you bounce and rock on air cushions.

[jaycocreek]

My dually came with air bags...The previous owner had a big TC on it but I don't need them with my 9.5ft TC..They interfere with contact to the overload spring aired down as far as I dare go...I now have to add something to the springs so they make contact with the helper...

Air bags may be good for huge truck campers/fifth wheels or travel trailers but not on smaller truck campers..

[Grit_dog]

The advantage of sulastic shackles is limited to empty or lightly loaded situations where the suspension can be harsh.
They of course can be used with heavy loads but they are not providing any ride improvement there as they are designed to compress under light weight shock loads so they’re already squished once there’s significant load on them.
Anything that’s designed to reduce initial spring rate is not advantageous for heavy loads.

[Kayteg1]

northshore wrote:


Kayteg, I would be interested in what you think of your Sulastic hangers? Are they worth the money in your opinion? Do they noticeably improve the ride, softer ride when empty? when loaded? Does the truck handle different when loaded with camper?

I think this is the best $350 I spend on the truck.
Even 2017 dually rides better than 2006 dually I used to drive before, I could feel each street cover I drove over.
Sulastic hangers did not make dually riding like Cadillac, but I no longer fear street covers.
Can't tell much difference when loaded, but it has to be there.
I just inspected them as life of rubber bushings is a concern.
On 3rd season they look good and my truck usually has 9000 lb on 10k rated axle.

[specta]

I couldn't afford my last airbag so I divorced her. 😉

[northshore]

Of all the suspension mods Ive done to my f 350 drw air bags are at the very bottom of the list, like mentioned above, I won't say I hate them, but they surely are not my favorite. My truck would handle just fine with out the air bags, and if some time if I get the time and energy Ill see how things go with out them.
Of all the things Ive done with the suspension, I would say the Big Wig sway bar help the most, I believe I saw a bigger bang for my $ from the sway bar. My dually came with sway bars but the upgraded Helwig bars were more heavy duty. I would suggest if you are going to get any thing for your truck Id go with sway bars first. just my opinion

Kayteg, I would be interested in what you think of your Sulastic hangers? Are they worth the money in your opinion? Do they noticeably improve the ride, softer ride when empty? when loaded? Does the truck handle different when loaded with camper?

[Bedlam]

Adding preload to the existing suspension will reduce sag while not increase the spring rate. The suspension works better if the overload springs are engaged with the camper on the truck. Adding hockey pucks, wedges or StableLoads all help to increase the preload.

[Kayteg1]

LL8 wrote:
Kayteg, did your upper overload hockey pucks add and stability to your ride at all?

Frankly I can't tell the difference.
I drove about 800 miles with camper before I add the pucks.
But then I also put Sulastic hangers. They are not advertised as adding stability, but smoother ride is smoother ride.
Even our trucks are 2 years apart, mine has aluminium bed and heat-treated frame, what is about 500 lb lighter.

[deltabravo]

LL8 wrote:
Delta Bravo, are you talking upper stableloads? That’s interesting about the air bags. Is it because the maintenance/leaks or the way they ride?

Upper or lower.. I have lower on my truck. They give the truck much better stanility than uppers would.

Airbags - They unload the suspension, which makes them useless. Biggest waste of money aver on my truck.

[Grit_dog]

LL8 wrote:
Did your upper overload hockey pucks add any stability to your ride at all?

Pretty much anything that increases the spring rate will also help stability.

[LL8]

Kayteg, did your upper overload hockey pucks add and stability to your ride at all?

[LL8]

Kayteg1, it’s a 2015 and it rides fine, just has a little sway that I’d like to even out. It’s not white knuckle driving by any means but more than I’d like.

[LL8]

deltabravo wrote:

LL8 wrote:
The camper is pretty light weight 4200# and only drops the bed about 1 1/2 “ when loaded. Thanks

4200 lbs isn't a "light weight" camper.

I'd recommend Torklift Stableloads. That's what I run on my dually and hate the airbags I installed 10 years ago.

Delta Bravo, are you talking upper stableloads? That’s interesting about the air bags. Is it because the maintenance/leaks or the way they ride?

[Grit_dog]

To the OP, you don’t automatically need airbags.
And in your case doesn’t sound like you need them at all. Or possibly any additional suspension help save for a stiffer sway bar if the body roll is not acceptable to you.
If you don’t like how it rides, slap the timbrens on it and shim then to your preference.
Not sure why you don’t think the bottom leaf wedges won’t help. They will absolutely stiffen the suspension, unless you mean in conjunction with the Timbrens which may hold the truck up high enough to not get into the bottom overloads capacity. Or by wedging the springs, not make use of the Timbrens.