Air bag suspension support

The Bruin · 12-25-2018, 12:51 PM

Hello all and Merry Christmas. Down to biz.. 2018 F250 Supercab. 4x4. Powerstroke. Researching possible add ons to make for a better eventual tow. I completely comprehend that these items do nothing to increase capacity, rather they are a leveling tool. That said, who uses them, are they worth the expense, and what brands are best? Dont have a 5er yet, still researching. Thx in advance... Dave.

**wingnut60** · 12-25-2018, 03:52 PM

If you are going to be towing a pin-heavy fiver, than air bags would be a good idea to prevent excessive squat. AirLift makes a 5000 Ultimate that can be run empty, Firestone is another brand. If the load is going to bottom out the bed to the frame, then probably you will need them.

Notanlines · 12-26-2018, 05:41 AM

A slightly less expensive semi-solution to your dilemma is a set of Timbrens for the rear axle. F-250 can be had online for about $225. I installed the Timbrens on our first F-350 and did a great job of eliminating the sag. We eventually sold that truck and went to a dually, but it did do what we paid for.
On edit: Good quality air bags are still better!

flyingjack · 12-30-2018, 08:29 AM

Been using Airlift system since 2012 (F250s and 2500 Silverados X 5 trucks) on pickups used for work and my pickups towed 39' Montana and 2016 Silverado still does. With remote controller I can pump up pressure for ride and drop to 5 PSI when not towing. Only had one leak that was a loose connection; easy repair.

Suite Sweets · 12-31-2018, 03:19 PM

I too, endorse Timbren's. I had vibration from the drive shaft, in 1st gear, when towing (from the bed squatting when loaded and changing the pitch of the shaft). Timbren's took care of most of the vibration, and when towing, there is a nice solid feel to the suspension.
I had first put them on the 5th wheel, which made the feel of the trailer behind me, much more stable. Wife, following in a car, also spoke to less roll of the trailer.
When truck is empty - you don't know they are there. No air to fool with, no bags to rip and replace. They're just what I wanted.

Dave A · 12-31-2018, 03:28 PM

We have Airlifts on our 2016 F-350 and the bags really help with the ride when we are towing the 5th wheel. My wife will notice in a couple of blocks if I've forgot to air them up. Get the ones with the on board air compressor, only way to go.

CoMaddMax · 12-31-2018, 04:02 PM

I put Firestone air bags on my RAM 2500, they replace the bump stops so it is a nice clean install. Have over 20K towing miles and they work great!

The Bruin · 01-01-2019, 10:38 AM

Thx to all for the replies, just another tidbit of info I will file away. Cant say whether I will need them or not, dont even have a trailer yet,lol. Good to know they are functional. Now... can anyone do something with the foot of snow in my driveway, that fell overnight?? Happy New Year

jtexas · 01-01-2019, 12:38 PM

I installed the Timbren SES part number FR350SDJ in June 2018. In October 2018, after 2 weeks and 1,300 miles, the driver's side Timbren failed.
While towing, the wife and I were very pleased with the smoother ride, improved handling and a stop to the bed slamming on the axle housing.
It's a stock 2017 F350, dually 4-wheel drive. And a 2017 Bighorn 3760EL.
Highway driving, no boon docking off road.

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**wingnut60** · 01-01-2019, 10:37 PM

Had Timbrens on 2 trucks, worked fine. Suggest you contact Timbren direct, bet they take care of it.

Rhagfo · 01-02-2019, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bruin

Hello all and Merry Christmas. Down to biz.. 2018 F250 Supercab. 4x4. Powerstroke. Researching possible add ons to make for a better eventual tow. I completely comprehend that these items do nothing to increase capacity, rather they are a leveling tool. That said, who uses them, are they worth the expense, and what brands are best? Don't have a 5er yet, still researching. Thx in advance... Dave.

Well if you want to be within Payload and tow a 5er you chose the wrong TV. I towed our 2005 32' Copper Canyon with a 2001 Ram 2500 with Camper Package. While on last scaling was at 10,500# on a TV with a 8,800# GVWR, never needed air bags or other suspension add-on.

It seem that Fords seem to have softer springs, and all need some help to be level.
While it towed great and I was within axle and tire ratings, being over GVWR by 1,700# kept eating at me.

Just solved the that issue and bought a 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie DRW with Aisin and 3.73 gears.

While a F250 and F350 are almost 100% the same except for maybe an extra spring leaf and tires with a higher rated load capacity it lacks the VIN sticker with the higher GVWR!

**wingnut60** · 01-02-2019, 09:04 AM

You weighed the 2500 WITH the trailer on the truck? What was on the trailer axles?
If the truck weighed 10500, the pin weight on the truck must have been over 5000? On a 32 ft fiver?
Sorry, but can’t understand your numbers.

The Bruin · 01-02-2019, 03:45 PM

@Rhagfo.. have to disagree with you. Door sticker on my truck says cargo capacity of just under 2400lbs. Yes, I understand thats total capacity, passengers, all gear.GVWR of 10000. No I am not going to pull a 38-40ft 15k 5er, but the truck will easily handle a coach in the 10,000 range with pin weights well under 2,000. Plenty of such trailers on the market, both new and used. Contrary to most advice given, I bought the truck first, with the intention of paying it down while I am still working. Not going to have $77,000 of expendable cash at retirement time

Rhagfo · 01-02-2019, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

You weighed the 2500 WITH the trailer on the truck? What was on the trailer axles?
If the truck weighed 10500, the pin weight on the truck must have been over 5000? On a 32 ft fiver?
Sorry, but can’t understand your numbers.

Our fiver weighs in at about 12,700# +/- about 10,000# on the axles and 2,700# +/- on the pin. The truck weighs 7,800# ready to go with DW, me and small dog and stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bruin

@Rhagfo.. have to disagree with you. Door sticker on my truck says cargo capacity of just under 2400lbs. Yes, I understand thats total capacity, passengers, all gear.GVWR of 10000. No I am not going to pull a 38-40ft 15k 5er, but the truck will easily handle a coach in the 10,000 range with pin weights well under 2,000. Plenty of such trailers on the market, both new and used. Contrary to most advice given, I bought the truck first, with the intention of paying it down while I am still working. Not going to have $77,000 of expendable cash at retirement time

Well a 5er loaded at 10,000# will likely have a pin weight in the range of 2,000#, my 2,700# pin is 21.2% of the trailers gross weight. You should also scale the truck with it ready to tow with what you will have in the truck when going camping as that just less than 2,400#, is already less than 2,000#.

I will say I also bought the truck before the current 5er. I knew I was going to be over GVWR, the last thing I got the dealer to agree to was to hitch up to see if my truck sagged too much, it didn't and we were happy. Well happy until I scaled it, I have been OK with it for over four years and it tow fine, but that 1,700# over GVWR kept eating at me.
So now we have a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW 6.7 CTD with Aisin and 3.73's, can't wait for the first tow.

**wingnut60** · 01-02-2019, 11:09 PM

Congrats, did not mean to pick on you. We run over on the trailer gvwr, but not the truck gross/rear axle. Was having trouble with thinking thru your #s.

Rhagfo · 01-05-2019, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Congrats, did not mean to pick on you. We run over on the trailer gvwr, but not the truck gross/rear axle. Was having trouble with thinking thru your #s.

Didn't feel you were picking on me.

I was caught in a conundrum a 2500 with a lousy 8,800# GVWR, no 3500 SRW from Dodge from 1994 to 2002, just a 3500 DRW. The 2500 had the Camper Package so same springs as DRW 3500. Never needed bags, so never worried about it, until we started full timing. Up to then we were always under 10,000# on the TV and about 600# under rear GAWR. Well 5er got heaver, and pin got heaver, and a bit more in the TV, last scale was 10,500# on the TV, just pushing too much if I ever got scaled.

DW didn't like driving the stick shift, also didn't like doing the chaser car thing.

I didn't like the small back seat and suicide rear doors (I was told this was part of the reason the 1st owner traded it). I did worry about the amount I was over the sticker GVWR, but only in a civil action, not because the TV felt overloaded or handled poorly.
Can't wait to tow with the new rig, picture frame adapter will be here Monday and the bed cover so I can get tool box and hitch moved.