Air Bags! Do I need them

[carl07230]

I have a 2004 Quad Cab. Fixn to buy my first travel trailer which the weight will be approx. 7000-8000lbs, 28-30 foot long . Truck is stock in the suspension catagory except for a leveling kit and Bilstien shocks. My wife has pulled trailers in her past life (LOL) but never had the air bags. We want to be as safe as possible but if we don't need them. Why buy them? Truck is driven daily and trailer will be used on weekends and occasional week long trips. Advice?

 

[goodguys75]

do ya need them, that is an open question, but I like them... truck will handle way better in the long haul and safer too... . since you tow so much, I would say why not... especially with a 2500, I'm very surprised how my 3500 can squat so easy at times, cant imagine what it does with a 2500... . I would say go for it... there easy to install and just makes your trailer ride so much better being level and not working the wheel bearings too much, because the trailer is so tilted... . I get very amused looking at peoples truck and trailer when they are all just uneven from each other... must be a towing nightmare...

 

[BIGNASTY]

When we first bought the truck it was to be used as a TT puller (about the same weight and size that you mentioned) I didn't have air bags on it then the tongue weight of the TT was 1000lbs I had no problems at all pulling it. I put air bags on because sometimes I do haul more than a 3/4 ton should really have in it then it made a difference.

 

[GCroyle]

My rig is 2005 2WD with a 9000 lb tandem axle trailer. No suspension mods. But a weight distribution hitch needs to be considered IMHO it adds a lot of good things to the rigs handling and loading. My trailer has Dexter torflex axles, no steel springs, needs to run level for proper axle loading. WD hitch is almost required.

Lots of discussion on WD and sway control hitches on various forums.

 

[NIsaacs]

I would remove the leveling kit and try it. If the truck sits level you should be good to go. If the load still makes the truck sit low in the rear than I would go the air bags or weight distribution hitch.



Nick

 

[JMetzger]

I had he Kelderman Air Ride on my 92. It made a big difference in handling & ride. When I bought the 02 I thought I would try it without the air ride. I then bought the Hensely Hitch which did not help ride but took out all the fear of driving pulling a trailer. The truck rode a lot better then the 92 so I never bothered to put an air ride back on. Truck & trailer both sit level when towing using the Hensely Hitch.

 

[JHumphries]

I would remove the leveling kit and try it. If the truck sits level you should be good to go. If the load still makes the truck sit low in the rear than I would go the air bags or weight distribution hitch.

Nick

The leveling kit is your biggest threat right now. The rake on these trucks is supposed to let it be level fully loaded. Which means if it has been leveled, and you want to keep it level when the trailer is not hooked up, you need air ride. Weight distributing hitches will help, but it seems like a lot of work to get the tension correct to actually level the truck. I would seriously consider the air bags.

 

[crispyboy]

If you have a bumper pull travel trailer then you need a weight distributing hitch not air bags. The WD hitch will put the proper amount of weight back on the front end of the tow vehicle which helps steering, braking and over all handling. The WD is easy to adjust so that you get the correct balance - truck will ride and steer properly.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just installed Pac Brake air bags. Any suggestions on how much air I should fun with 4,400# tongue weight?

Thanks

 

[Teich]

I have same truck only 2wd, relocated rear spacers to level truck, was to high in rear solo, have same trailer weight use only WD hitch truck-trailer sit level tows great, very stable in winds etc. just like trailer isn't there Laurie

 

[Shadrach]

I would loose the frt levelling kit and definitely get a good properly sized weight distributing hitch. Shad

 

[Jeepr]

Interesting discussion. I have a weight distribution hitch, and someone was suggesting airbags, yet I questioned the need as the WD hitch keeps it from squatting the truck. But, seems the jury is split here.

 

[NIsaacs]

I just installed Pac Brake air bags. Any suggestions on how much air I should fun with 4,400# tongue weight?



Thanks

I would start with about 5# empty and try it. As you add weight to the truck the air pressure in the bags will go up, unlike a tire. The main thing is to keep the truck level so add or subtract air as needed. I would not use the bags to level your trailer, just the truck. Once the truck is level and if the trailer is not, then adjust the fifth wheel/king pin box.



Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

Interesting discussion. I have a weight distribution hitch, and someone was suggesting airbags, yet I questioned the need as the WD hitch keeps it from squatting the truck. But, seems the jury is split here.

The main reason for air bags is it makes your truck more user friendly, such as heavy loads in the bed or fifth wheel/gooseneck use. The WD hitch only works on a bumper pull style trailer. Granted, that is the OP's question, however we tend to elaborate and give out free info:-laf



With a front leveling kit, now you have a level truck. If you want to keep it level with a load, a WD hitch will not allow enough hitch/rear axle weight, a must for towing control. Or if you use the air bags to keep a level truck level with a load, the bags are carrying all the weight, again not good. You must have most of the weight on your rear axle springs for good control and use the bags for slight adjustments.



Nick

 

[carl07230]

I did leve out the fact that it would be a bumper pull trailer and about the WD hitch ? Never would dream of towing without one.

 

[crispyboy]

A little off topic here but I also had the blocks removed from the rear springs. It had entirely too much rake and who wants a truck with a bed that sits so high. I even went so far as to write a letter to Dodge about manufacturing a truck that was more user friendly and should sit lower. My opinion is that they should make a 4wd truck with the height of a 2wd truck. The Power Wagons should have all the height or offer a special "higher than normal" package for those who want it.

 

[aviatorman]

When the travel trailer is hooked up, take a look at the rear springs, see if you are resting on the top overload spring perch. If you're just barely engaging it on the bumper stop, then you're probably well within the safe hitch weight and the truck will tow straight. My 2500 has 5th wheel hitch and the pin weight is 1700K, and my spring package handles it perfectly level.

 

[mpaulson]

I would caution on cranking the bars up too tight at the hitch just for the sake of leveling. This transfers weight to the trailer axles and in allot of cases the axles right from the RV factory are right at there max load capacity. This could lead to overloading the axles and the result could be bent axle in time and overloaded tires (usally cheap junk) on the trailer. I've also seen the A frame on the front of trailers bent upward from the stresses added by too much tension on the bars. A buddy had to straighten his and reinforce the A frame after his bent from hitting a railway crossing.
Air bags are multi purpose for more than just leveling the truck with the trailer and they are the easiest to adjust. Even if you don't do the onboard compressor, a cheap little 12v compressor will do the trick for occasional adding of air.
Another option is spacers between the overload leaf and the perch if you have them. Put them on before you hitch up and they will help keep level and add stability to the rear of the truck.

 

[MHoge]

Hello Jack. .

Can you tell me a little more about your experience with air ride on your 92? Since the Kelderman they told me about needs about 12" behind the rear spring hangers I can't use it because my 92 has been made into a toter home

and has the rear of the bed and frame right behind the rear spring hangers. I think my bad back would love an air ride

so do you know of a source where the air bag is over the axle and/or how well this type rides?

thanks. .

Mickey

 

[JMetzger]

MHoge: When I put the Kelderman on my 92 the truck was stock so I didn't have any problems installing it & I installed it my self but it made a big difference in the ride as I also have a bad back (three back surgery's). The ride was softer especially when pulling the RV but it also helped when the truck was unloaded. I hope that this helps.