WD and Air Bags on Rear - Why a No-No?

That's what I'd do although I'd probably deflate to 10 psi and hook up.

It's what we used to do with our TT and it sat level with the 10-15 #s of air in the bags.
Road nice down the road no issue with it.

I don't see why you can't.

On another thread of mine (one on the Blue Ox Sway Pro) an rv.net patron said:

"Ordinary air bags on truck not at all a good idea with a WDH. And partly source of problem as to ride"

so I figured I needed to ask...thought starting a thread rather than embed discussion in the other one made sense.

I like going down the road level. I hook up, doesn't matter how little or much air bags have in them. Then after hooking up I add air bags in order to level. And not so much predetermined PSI but level. Sometimes only 15 pounds other times 40 or 70 depends on how much stuff I'm getting hauled around. Having 3/4 of cord of wood in back end or just a BBQ makes big difference. I don't know why someone would not use air bags if they have them. People that are squatted down and have their headlights pointing at the sky makes me wonder. I don't know what I'm missing.

"there seems to be a chorus of folks who say Air Bags and WD systems do not mix". They mix with me and the "chorus" is out of tune IMO.

Nothing wrong with the way you list. The problem lies in where people use bags instead of a wd hitch or don't have the hitch set up properly because the bags are masking the amount of weight lost or transferred.

My trailer tows so much better with the combination of the bags and wd hitch than the wd hitch alone. I won't go back. Not sure why you wouldn't use them together:h Just my two cents

I just added air bags to my truck. I haven't had the chance to go on a trip yet, but my main reason for getting them is my new F250 sags more than my old Chevy. I have made all of the correct adjustments to the hitch - and verified with weighing at the scales. I just want to be level and I think it will help with the bounce I was getting without the bags. I would guess that there are more people that want/have the bags than those that say not to have the bags.

I put bags on my 2500hd. I'll never go back to being without them. Truck sits level, rides better, and headlights shine where they're supposed to.

cruz-in wrote:
... In searches and reading the forums, there seems to be a chorus of folks who say Air Bags and WD systems do not mix.
....

:S All these years, since my 4Runner was new, I have been doing it wrong. :E

I have NO idea how many pounds pressure are in my air bags, I have a switch on the console with L - N - H (low, normal, high). The bags set the height automatically. The only problem I had was setting up the WDH. It doesn't do any good to measure the "drop" at the rear wheel wells with a load so I measure the drop at the front wheel wells to make sure I am not taking weight off the front axle. A trip to the scales shows me how much is added to the front and rear axles.

I can see using air bags to ease the ride. However. If using them to level / raise the rear of the TT. You would be changing the amount of weight the WDH is transferring. You would remove the tension on the weight bars.
In truth. IF you have the WDH setup correctly. The TV will sit very close to level. There will be very little sag, and no headlights huntin Coons, or pointing to the sky. A little air after that to cushion the ride wouldn't hurt, but not enough to raise the rear.


Remember. Air bags can level the TV, But will not transfer any lost weight to the steering axle. IMOP if you get your hitch correct. You would not need air bags.