AIR BAGs on pickups! Do they increase payload capacity?
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- Опубликовано: 16 мар 2021
- #rv #towing #trucks
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I'll never own a vehicle without airbags again. It's nice seeing a level ride under a load. I perfer not having my headlights pointed towards space.
There are people who pay to have there trucks tilting backwards.
I had airbags in my last truck. I have the sumo springs now. I do like them
@@85square dumbest look ever. I don't get it.
@@85square I've heard it called the "California Lean".
And it smooths your ride when you're loaded.
It’s definitely helped the ride quality of my 1/2 ton while pulling my 28 ft TT. I’m still taking your advice and moving to a 3/4 ton truck soon.
Airbags don't change the weight ratings of your tires, your axle, your suspension brackets, your brakes, your transmission, etc. Those things, and more, all factor in to what weight you can SAFELY tow.
A GM 2500 and 3500 are exactly the same as far as tires, brakes, transmission, engine, and frame. The 3500 has one extra spring
You're right about safely towing. However from a ethical standpoint, airbags help the truck be more comfortable towing more weight. They don't necessarily make the towing and payload numbers "rise" on sticker but in person you can certainly "get away" with doing more because they help. If you are all about staying within the numbers, more power to you. But in reality and yes the reality sucks big time, these trucks especially 1 ton srw and drw and the f450 can easily tow more than what they are listed to tow and handle. Seems like they are down rated. Go back to when ford introduced the 7.3 power stroke, there are videos of people hauling 25k to 30k on the gooseneck of a f350 7.3 diesel and I can assure you that the 7.3 wasnt rated to tow that much on paper but the truck still did it. So I believe you can safely tow a bit more than what the sticker says especially with how big the tires wheels brakes are and the suspension components plus the exhaust brake.
@@kenhughes9437 I’m a Ford person so this is coming from my understanding the three-quarter ton has a 3 1/2 half inch axle. The 1 ton SRW has a 4 inch axle and Dually has a 4 1/2. I’m in the process of buying a 2018 power stroke three-quarter ton (from a family member) and have been a little baffled at just how little it can actually (safely) haul. GVWR is actually higher for the gas engine because the diesel weighs over 1000 pounds by itself.
I put airbags on my class c and it really improved the handling, noticeably reducing the "wallowing" in corners especially when the tanks are full
As always, great insight on the true intention of the reviewed product.
Perhaps somebody else with a Tundra has chimed in, but I love that I can dial the headlights up or down from the cab to adjust them according to changes in the load.
Always the teacher, thank you as always for the lessons.
Great combination of Knowledge, Consideration, and Common Sense. Honesty too which, to me, is one of the most important things. This leads to a Great Reputation too. More people counting and believing in what you say. If you don't already have that, you will. Thanks. Good job.
Airbags are great but be careful not to overinflate. You want some squat when towing. It allows the leaf springs to engage better and reduce axle wrap on acceleration. Additionally, the driveline angle flattens slightly under load reducing U-joint stress a little bit. things to consider.
I like how my air bags level out my truck, but what I like most is that it smooths out the ride quality.
I love your videos addressing towing, and different modification that people do to their trucks. I was just having this very same conversation with a friend of mine concerning airbags. He insists that because he added airbags to his truck that he has increased the weight he can haul. I think he needs to tune into your channel! LOL Great video as usual!
Actually he decreesed it because is empty weight went up.
@@johnirwin1837 buy like a pound. Lol
Your right on with the air bags, I’ve seen a lot of pickups towing a trailer & the rear of the truck is almost on the ground. Keep the info coming
We deliver new campers all over the country to dealers and air bags have been the best investment we’ve done on our last 2 trucks. All your points are spot on.
Hello Tonto.
I am semi-retired and interested in transporting campers as you describe. Are you an independent contractor or an employee if I may ask?
I've heard of companies such as Horizon I plan to look into, but I'm wondering if I can transport campers, 5th Wheels, etc. as an owner operator using my 2021 F-450 and some type of mobile App to contract transport work as do Hotshot truckers? Ideally direct with the owners vs. brokers to be more profitable?
I love my RAM's factory rear leveling air suspension. It is the "bee's knees".
do they have softer spring with the factory air bag?
@@bryanspears2045 , not from the looks of mine. 4 or 5 of them at an 1" thick. I lower my tire pressers for a better empty ride.
Except Ram’s air suspension takes away from your payload because the systems adds weight to the total vehicle. I made sure my ‘20 3500 dually didn’t have the factory air system for this reason. The way mine is equipped as a Laramie Level 2, I have just over 5,300 pounds of payload. A factory air truck will be less than mine.
As for softer springs, Ram went to a progressive style spring pack. Unloaded ride is substantially softer and then stiffens up under load. It’s the best riding 1-ton I’ve ever owned.
@@CornFed_3 How much did I lose in payload on my 3500SRW with factory air assist? Mine is 4342# with a diesel and a CC LB Laramie trim.
@@CornFed_3 , how much lower is the payload on my 3500SRW with factory bags? Guess what? It is higher than any other brand of SRW 3500 truck for it's year at 4342# with diesel, CC, LB, Laramie trim.
I love my Air Lift 7500lb bags on my Ram DRW. I swapped my stock shocks to Radflo reservoir shocks all around. Those shocks are valve for towing man did it improve the ride empty and loaded. Best investments thus far.
Well explained. Thanks for posting.
As a driver of a small car, I really appreciate anytime a big truck adjusts it's headlights for being under load. Believe me, the rest of the drivers on the road notice when we're being blinded and we don't appreciate it.
And as a driver of school buses I hate small cars that have LED headlights Or any vehicle with them.
the rest of the drivers on the road notice when we're being blinded and we don't appreciate it.
@@johnirwin1837 having LED lights have nothing to do with blinding people. If you car is designed to have LED lights, they will not blind you unless you mess with the adjustment. If you're being blinded by lights from a small car or even a truck, it's probably because they swapped out the factory halogen bulbs and replaced them with lights that are designed to be in a projector housing. My truck has factory LED lights and I have never been flashed for blinding anyone. And they are extremely bright. Sure I can aim them up to blind oncoming vehicles if I wanted to, but you can do that with any type of light.
@@XploreAz
@@johnirwin1837 you can disagree all you want, but that's a fact. The majority of cars now have either HID lights whether it be LED, Xenon, etc. A lot of people, especially in "ricers" as they call them, will put projection bulbs in a halogen housing making the light blinding because it isn't focused. It's all for show because the light isn't really effective and useful. All it does is blind oncoming vehicles. Cars that were designed for and come with LED or Xenon lights, will not blind you unless the driver has tampered with the factory settings.
I've been waiting for this video. I understand everything you are saying but my concern was the leaf springs and shackles breaking. The airbags should reduce the weight on these and reduce the amount of big hits to these components. I watched a video where the shackle broke and went through the bed of the truck. He did not have air bags and wondered if this would have prevented this. Anyway, thanks for the video. Always great content on your channel.
Dang ok ok. That 450 has some beefy rear calipers 👌
I just bought the same set for my dually with the new EZ Mount wireless air stainless 5k. Waiting for weather to calm down so I can get under there and install
Very informative thank you
Up here in Canada we go by axle weight ratings. It truly is the most accurate way of knowing if you are overloaded or not. Prime example is most of the new half ton dodges. They have coil suspension which is terrible for loads. They usually have a 1k limit however the axle is rated for a lot more. Same principles apply that axle ratings are everything (truck weight itself, trailer weight, cargo, people, etc). Having airbags can get you safely around the terrible coil suspension on a half ton while still safely below the axle rating of the truck.
No we don’t. We go by the max payload sticker on your door jamb just like every other jurisdiction. If you are involved in an accident with injuries,or worse, and you are over your max payload, your insurance company will probably abandon you.
The main reason for me was because before I installed the air bags, my front tires were getting an uneven wearing pattern on the side of the tire. The airbags solved that problem.
The main thing it did for me was headlights and front end alinement
Thanks for clarifying
Great video. 👍
beautiful truck!
I love my tundra’s adjustable headlights! Works wonders!
Helps give better ride quality as well depending on payload in bed or whatever is being towed. Makes the ride a bit less harsh and jarring.
While watching the video of the underside of your truck it brought up a question I've had about duallys. Have you ever tested or looked at the advantages and disadvantages of using a super tire instead of the dually?
I agree with every thing you said... except the statement about shifting weight on trailer... air bags offer zero load shifting in any direction.
It needs to be clear this applies to “ added “ airbags. My semi is air ride in the rear with fiberglass leaf springs up front and rides at the same level empty or loaded. My brother in law’s semi is air ride all around even on the front, no leaf or coil springs.
You should do a safety chain video in light of that truck that was hanging off the bridge by just the safety chains recently.
Specifically with the Reese Goosebox. I have broken the bolts that connect the safety chains to the goosebox twice (once because the installers didn’t know where to install the chains) it bent the goosebox mounting frame walls. The second time the chains are installed correctly but just too short for sharper turns in a parking lot. I would love to know how to measure for proper safety chain length and what ratings the chains and all connecting bolts should be.
started driving a semi in the 70s in the early eighties they installed air bags air seat air cab mounts on those macks. you coud adjust the air to get a cushioned ride to much air would lift the drive axle off the ground just the tag axle on the tandum bearing the weight ask a trucker lol
I would think that it would depend on the truck and spring rate if airbags were needed. I have a 2018 f450 that is not leveled up in the front, so when I hook up my 2021 Vilano it will level out the truck with the added pin weight. I think it would be difficult to get a f450 to actually sag in the rear and if you did then you are defiantly over the weight rating of the vehicle. Also may want to fluid film that undercarriage before it gets anymore rust on it, a bit surprised that it looks like that for a Texas truck.
Air bags also reduce the amount of bounce the increased load creates on the back of your truck. Or the spring rate so to speak.
I had airbags in my last truck. I currently own the sumo springs now. So far I prefer them. Less maintenance, hassle and lower cost than the airbags.
I just bought a set of sumo springs for my f250 but haven't installed them yet im hoping they'll make a difference when i hookup to my fifth wheel toyhauler. It squatted way more than i thought it would. If it doesn't my next step is an extra spring or two
@@curtmyers6273 my 31 foot toy hauler made my srw ram 3500 squat about 4-5" or so. With the sumosprings it's now about 2-2.5". So it did make a difference for me.
No,they do not increase payload. But they do bring your truck back to level
I use timbrens and torqlift upper overload spring bumpers to spread out the weight and a hellwig sway bar on my 2020 F350 srw gasser for my truck camper....so far so good handles the weight truck sits level front and back. Im under my cargo cap and my rear axle weight and gvwr thats with my family and camper loaded. Not far off though about 500 pounds under on my rear axle. What you think to close or no issue?
Bags are good. Better control and improves fuel mileage.
For most trucks towing travel trailers the use of weight distribution bars will force the front suspension to squat with the rear suspension to level. The ride will be better and control better. Airbags create a teter-toter effect and often people leave out or do not put enough load on the weight distribution bars. Airbags are often used inappropriately and end up pushing the rear axle into more payload than it was designed for. People love airbags, but they are often hiding misuse or unused weight distribution equipment. 5th wheels and gooseneck is different as the load is just past the rear axle and loads the front suspension with the rear. Also, airbags can be tailored to slide in campers to resist side motions, but only if the bags are on separate valves, not Teed together. I've had lots of airbags and I recommend getting a bigger truck. I have airbags now and need a bigger truck:)
Smoother ride and keep the trailer level witch is what you want
Please post an update on your pacifica van. My wife wants to buy one and i would like to know how your ownership has been. Thanks
Love you videos. you said in this one that your shocks are not stock and that you took them from your last truck. Why? What are the ones you are using and why do you feel they are better then the ones that came on you truck? I'm running a 2017 F350 dully pulling a 2021 Momentum 395ms. Just curious.
One question that wasn't addressed: Does the airbags provide a smoother ride? And the difference in ride when pulling a bumper-pull versus fifth-wheel. Those would be great issues to address.
Thank you
This is my primary question about airbags as well. I'd put them on my truck in a second if I thought it would smooth out the ride a bit, but I haven't heard people talk about airbags working primarily in that way -- most of what I've read and watched about airbags center around the non-debate of "does this increase your capacity?". I have to assume that airbags don't make a HUGE difference in ride quality otherwise more people would talk about it, no?
Loaded ride quality is improved on my trucks. Unloaded was the same or worse. Both trucks are F350s with a truck camper and towing an auto hauler.
Stops the suspension from slamming its bump stops (the end of its travel).
So yes, loaded it is somewhat softer.
Unloaded it does nothing.
Sulastic shackles would possibly help that.
@BTBRV WE need a update with Sulastic.
We put Air Lift Ride Control (Made in Michigan Company!) on our Chevy Silverado. It has 2000# lift and lifetime warranty. It felt like we were on the ocean when we were towing. With them on it went away completely and it handles like a dream. Even the wife will drive our 35' TT. Rear wheel well was at 39" prior to install and I inflate to return to 39" with the TT weeight attached. I will be getting them on the new truck in the future. Two thumbs up!
I still have a slight downward angle on the trailer at the 39" ground to wheel well measurement with a level truck.
Can you use weight distribution bars and use airbags to fully level out the truck at the same time? Or just either or?
if a truck has a very stiff suspension (currently running an 01 F250 with a 4" lift) do airbags help smooth out the ride when towing? Currently I feel everything in the road due to how stiff the suspension is.
I'm late to the party, but I'm now considering air bags for my truck. I would assume if using in conjunction with a weight distribution hitch that you would set the air bags first then set up the hitch?
Let’s not forget that by leveling your truck and bringing the headlights down that you are also increasing front downforce and thusly improving steering
I think you are wrong you putting more weight on the back of the truck
there is a video THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND AIRBAGS by fastway trailer
@@rickschwartz2447 No you are putting more weight onto the front of the truck by pushing the center of gravity more forward by pushing the truck back to level. You are putting weight on the back of the truck but it is unsprung weight therefore not changing the center of gravity.
@@masonkaye5 not so much. A little perhaps, but because most of the weight in a truck structure is lower to the ground and not top heavy, the transfer would be minimal if any at all. Remember, your not shifting weight by moving weight, your simply providing lifting energy over the rear axle. Also, remember that airbags essentially make your front wheels the pivot point
I’ve got a new/used F350 with airbags. I’m looking for a recommendation on shocks to replace the original 1999 stock shocks that came with it.
What shocks would you recommend? It’s a single axle 7.3.
If you have to add air bags to your truck to keep it from squatting you ARE overloaded, and you ARE adding to the weight carrying capacity beyond what your springs are capable of handling.
Springs that squat are overloaded.
JD
Recently picked up a 2020 Silverado/Crew/Long/4x4/Dually with the following specs...
GVWR 14K
GCWR 40K
RGAWR 10.5K
Payload 5221
with the gooseneck which I'm running with the Northpoint 377RLBH.
Cat scale weight at...
Trailer axle 14,240K
Drive axle 8280
Purchased used with 7000 miles on it and they did the "leveling kit", bringing up the front end to level the truck. (Had to get the side running boards/steps just to get in the damn thing!)
I noticed I"m sagging quite a bit when hitched. Not too low but it's certainly sagging a bit compared to the lifted front end bringing my headlights even higher than with just what the leveling kit does.
Do I want to get some bags on this thing? I'm thinking I absolutely do.
Would you recommend the adjustable/compressor style or just bags? I've looked at the "Airlift" site and found a "Few" available.
Do the bags make the ride while empty rougher/stiffer/feeling every tiny pebble in the road kind of thing? The Ram was a tooth shattering ride and would hate to have that again!
Thank you for any input as I know how busy you are.
Chris
Still need to sit down and find the video you did with the idiot scammer. I'll try to get to it today. In Laughlin, "snow birding" it now and working on the things needed attention by me on the coach.
How much do air bags cost? And is your Ford outer tires leaking air as well?
Do people use airbags to level trucks when they do a leveling kit in the front?
And it corrects your steering performance. When your truck squats weight comes off the front wheels and makes your steering really loose.
Only if that weight rests behind you rear axle. Weight over your rear axle can change the angle of your front suspension, making it feel slower, but generally won't remove much weight.
We haul a moderately heavy trailer for work and travel thousands and thousands of miles. With the truck we have it squated the truck and made the front tires chop out super fast. Adding the airbags fixed all those issues. Along with better handling and everything else. So yes, airbags do add weight to the front of the truck and prevent wear on the tires. And ultimately improve payload capabilities to an extent.
In order it lower your headlights you have to be compressing the front springs... So you'd have to be adding weight to the front of the truck and the rear of the trailer.
How are they on ride quality? I have a Ram 2500 with coil springs. I get a lot of “bounce” in the rear towing our GD31RLK. Do these help stiffen the ride up some?
I seen the truck. Had to see what your doing. Love your truck. If I need a truck that big I have one. Your always right on with info. But little off on this. Yes air bags transfer weight. That’s the section on weight distribution. And when your truck squats. You’re taking weight off your steers and off your rear axle of your fifth wheel. That’s why your headlights are looking for raccoons in the trees while you’re driving down the road. Now you can fix that with a fifth wheel plate but on a gooseneck fifth wheel instead of a semi you don’t have that much room to move it forward or back. So by getting Leaf spring helpers or the best way is airbags and by raising them up you’re putting the weight back where it supposed to be at. You should’ve known this. Anytime I see videos with idiots I get on there and tell them to go to your channel. Other than that like the video love the truck.
I got a 2022 Ram four-wheel drive Hemy it's swaying really bad when I'm pulling my car hauler it's a 28 footer I'm looking at the 7500 airbags I wonder if it'll help with the trailer sway or I need the sway control distribution hitch
If you by a ram factory airbag then you pushing down on the spring and up where the spring is supposed to so yes it increase the load capacity of your truck
They help increase the trucks handling of said payload.
Got a 2018 F-150 FX4 Max Tow. Firestone Air Bag Ride Rite Kit. My Air Bags on each side are sitting slightly offset a bit when you look at it; however it works just fine. What is this??
Do you airbags mess with your ride quality when you’re not activating them. When you’re riding with no load in the back of your truck or not pulling the trailer. I have been wanting to add airbags to my F2 50 but it’s also my daily driver so I’m not always pulling something. So when I am not pulling something or have something in the back of my truck are the airbags going to affect my ride quality
How do you improve every day ride quality?
Bilsteins? In your other video Nov of 2017 you said you like the Rancho RS9000. Why did you switch back?
Technically, adding airbags reduces the payload one can put due to the weight of the airbags themselves.
disagree your payload is based on GVWR minus curb weight. and air bags increase curb weight
@@Itsa_Mea , highly disagree. With added air bags you added to your tare weight thus payload went down the same amount as the weight of the bag kit.
@@Itsa_Mea Did not say that in any way shape or form. They do not change the GVW, but do change how much an empty truck weighs when added.
Very small weight added. I'd say insignificant.
By using the airbags for headlight adjustment isn’t that just getting more out of your load carrying abilities than would be safe ?
Do airbags improve ride quality when towing?
Do you still think the Timbrens is a good system. I am wanting to put them on my 2018 Ram 2500 6.4L !!!⚓️🇺🇸
Need some input: Just got a one ton dually. Make doesn't matter. Currently using to tow a conventional travel trailer. No big. Light weight. Problem: Wife is claiming she needs a sports bra to ride in the truck. Will air bags soften the blow of the road for her?
Really enjoy this channel. Fifth wheel for retirement. A couple of years out, however.
I have a 2004 ram 2500 24v Cummins and the wife and I are looking to sell everything and go fully time rv do you think I could haul a 338 carbon toy hauler?
So as long as I don't exceed my truck's towing or payload capabilities, air bags just level out the ride and help with handling? Can airbags be added to any kind of lift?
I got my 2021 F450 yesterday. Are you still running the Sulastic Shackles? If so, how are they doing? I remember an installation video you did with them a few years ago.
I'm not..I don't want to remove the vibration dampener from the frame.
correct !! bags DO NOT in ANY WAY change load of a given truck !
the statement about light alignment is a GOOD one !!!
a level set up will hanndle cross winds better. passing semi truck safer ( the real wrk is done by the load lever / stabilizer bar .... that u SHOULD have when hitch towing !! )
( u may want to invest in a rear ANTI SWAY BAR for ur truck if nessc. )
bag help with that crazy feel of expasion joints on bridgea that have not had any TLC in quite some time !!! lol :)
it puts weight BACK onto the front tires !! this adds CONTROL in " dippy " roads .. winds...UNexpeccted maneuvers !!!.... the list goes on.
a level TRAILER sways LESS... has even tire wear.... more road manners all around !!!! 8)
and much more !!!! but if this isn't enuf how about u just look cool like as if u know what ur doing even if ya don't. !! lol.
What pound air bags do you use?
So if I add a leaf spring to my truck, that doesn't increase the payload capacity of my truck at all bed?
So, the difference between a F-250 & F-350 is the 350 has more spring not more spring & a bigger axel. Right? As long as both trucks have the same power train & are SRW.
Thanks for describing what airbags are for and NOT for. Air bags and WDH are not meant to work together. A properly set up WDH already levels the truck, all the airbags do at that point is ride control, only apply enough air up to the current level of the truck with WDH fully engaged, don't try lifting it above that or you totally defeat the WDH. Don't level the truck with the bags and then try to set up the WDH, because they won't properly function at that point. You should get a whiteboard and diagram out what is really happening when someone tries this, maybe then they will get the picture of why you only put a few PSI in airbags when using a WDH. I plan to install RAS on my F350 to help level it out when connected to the 5th wheel. It doesn't need much, its within 1/2" of level, but the RAS will correct it and help with the ride.
I’m not sure if this is proper use of airbags but I use them to help level our truck camper. If our campsite is a little low in the back I’ll raise the truck up a touch with the air bags. After I load the camper on the truck I’ll put in about 10 psi to level the truck while driving. I stay within my GVWR with the camper and cargo so I’m not using them to carry more weight.
That's a great use for them. I have a pair on my 2001 Ram and will never have another truck without bags.
Are Air Bags, Timbrens, Sumo Springs or Helper Springs more of a personal preference to level the truck out because they all do the same thing and none of them increase payload?
Bilsteins? Your other video you said you like the Rancho 9000. Why did you switch back?
@@charlieodom9107 I have 5100s now but his other video said the ride quality was better in his experience with Rancho over the Bilsteins.
What happens to ride quality? Improve, stays the same or slightly worse ?
Airbags allow less stress on the springs and more on the axel, which mind you most are rated at 4000lbs GAWR Rear, 3800 Front as an example for most 1/2 ton trucks. Improve the weakest link and the payload will increase. ie Tires, Swaybars, springs, brakes and especially bags. Don't have to be a engineer to connect the dots.
I’m considering either air bags or Sumo springs for my Toyota Tacoma. I tow a small Lance travel trailer. There’s not a whole lot of squat with the weight distribution hitch and it rolls down the road well without giving any concern. Which would you recommend?
@@charlieodom9107 no modifications to the truck and it rides level with the weight distribution hitch. The Sumo springs replace the bump stops and don’t activate until the suspension is compressed so far. I thought they would improve stability on rougher roads though the truck and trailer have been stable on all roads so far.
Airlift airbags or Timben's? Which is better?
Now you got me confused. I watched your video about the Timbren for $400, I thought I will be buying the Timbren, but then I found out that on another video made not too long after the Timbren video, you switched to airbags (around $2,200 installed in my area). I am new to towing I am just trying to find the best solution to spend the money only once to get rid of the squat and level the truck.
Love your videos...totally addicted. I just started the ordering process today for a 2021 F450. I want a 4x4, but couldn't decide if the FX4 should be added. We'll be pulling a 17K 5th wheel and was wondering if the FX4 package would raise the rear-end too much?? Anyone have thoughts on that? The dealer isn't putting the order in until Friday, so I have a couple of days to decide.
Ford specs show F-450 has same height (82.1") for both 4x2 and 4x4. The FX4 package only adds hill descent control, skid plates, and "off-road" shock absorbers, so none of those are going to affect rear-end height. By the way, if you're ordering now, you're going to get a 2022 with SYNC 4 and the new 12" center screen. Ordering for 2021 was cutoff a couple weeks ago and ordering for 2022 Super Duties started last Monday (3/15). I'm getting ready to order an F-450 too.
@@skyler_wa Thanks Skyler! So hill decent control is only available with the FX4 package? Also, the salesman told me the same thing about ordering now will be 2022. Then he put me on hold, came back and said that orders going in are still 2021. He said they have the option to order 2021 and 2022 right now. I know that the 2022 order banks opened this week, but I didn't know when 2021 cut-offs were.
Here's my question. I have a F-450 dually diesel. I frequently drive it without any load and its rode is to rough bouncing like a buck board with the whole truck shuddering over bumps.
Since the airbags shift some of the weight off of the truck's suspension, would the airbags smooth out the ride when bobtailing? Wondering what's the best solution? Guessing front coil springs may continue to cause issues even of the airbags on the rear axle do soften the ride in the back?
Hello i haul daily with my f-350 diesel long bed and i can confirm i can feel a lot more bounce when i forget to air down post hauling
It also changes the weight distribution, moving some of it to the front axle, and therefore improves steering, and it also helps with sway, as in camper hauling.
AB's do not change or improve WD. The fulcrum for most WD hitches is the ball, AB's are nowhere near the ball connection and do nothing to move weight forward, they just lift it. Pivot Point Projection hitches, (Hensley Arrow & ProPride) do move the fulcrum to the TV's rear axle and will eliminate trailer sway, not just control it. Disclaimer...we have used the Hensley for 35yrs.
I don't like how you worded this. My main reason for using air bags is they soften the shock of trailer tongue impact over uneven ground.
Nope... but they do improve the ride by leveling the load
You need some Chrome pipes on your truck
Without airbags my f450 rear end bottoms out on bumps it would be a matter of time before the leaf springs fail , I’m under my payload limit (welding rig).
Timbren or Sumosprings might also be an option.
I tow a gooseneck trailer pretty regularly, although I understand I would gain no capacity by adding bags, would I gain any more comfort in my ride by adding bags? I get a significant amount of chucking when driving down highways and can make driving very annoying when working with the trailer.
Airbags will help absorb shocks and bumps and not make it so jarring
Each truck manufactured has its own particular payload, gross vehicle weight rating, combined gross vehicle weight rating and towing capacity. Those numbers are limits based on frame, axle, rear gear ratio, engine, wheels, tires, etc., and are based on dry curb weight. are based on dry curb weight. Trailers have similar type numbers. When you “marry” a trailer to a truck, you then concern yourself with how much of the trailer’s weight is being transferred to the truck. This is true for all truck-trailer combinations, and more so for 5th wheels which transfer significant weight to the truck. You and your dealer must know how to calculate the combined numbers to prevent exceeding limits. If you pull a trailer on the public roads in an over-limit condition, you risk violating DMV regulations, your truck warranty and your insurance. Not to mention the higher risk of an accident.
Come on upgrade to Kelderman air ride. Get rid of those springs.
I understand that airbag don’t increase the load capacity, but what is the point of an air bag manufacturer selling a kit for a vehicle with a load rating below that of the vehicles rating? Specifically, Firestone sells a kit for a 1 ton chassis cab with a 5000lb rating yet the truck is rated for a 6900lb load. Does this mean it’s not safe to use this kit on the vehicle since I will be running up to the 13.5k max GVWR?
Just turn your high beams on, you won't blind people when squatted
Do you get a more comfortable ride with the airbags when you are not hauling a trailer
I don't. But I lower my tire pressures unloaded for a better ride.
Do air bags help the ride quality when your not hauling? I find my trucks ride is very stiff unless I have a few hundred pounds in the bed.
No. in fact if you have 30 PSI (ex) in them while empty, the ride will be much worse as you will be feeling EVERY crack and bump in the road, in fact you want minimum amount of air in them per the manufacturers ratings when empty. I made the mistake of putting Sumo Springs in with the 1" spacer so they were touching the top of the axle, would help with cornering. Big mistake because the bumps and road crack bypassed the shocks and went right to the frame, which is what would happen with 10PSI or more pressure in the bags. With a few hundred pounds in the bed though, the ride is MUCH improved with the Sumo springs, which act the same as airbags, but aren't adjustable.
@@acdii Totally agree. Bags are best with weight. Harsh when empty.