2011 3500 DRW - Air Bags with B&W Turnoverball Hitch??

[RustyJC]

Has anyone found an air bag whose upper mounts will work when the truck has a B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch installed? I can't seem to get a definitive answer from Air Lift, Firestone, etc.

Rusty

 

[NIsaacs]

At the bottom of your thread, under "similar threads", the top post has pictures of a 2010 install, not sure if it is the same as a 2011.

Nick

 

[RustyJC]

The 2010 should be the same as the 2011 - both early 4th gen trucks. The only "kicker" in my situation is that my truck is 2WD, so what works on a 4WD may or may not work on mine with the B&W hitch installed. Just trying to get confirmation before I buy the kit only to find out that it won't work.

Rusty

 

[n7gxz]

I have PacBrake air bags on my 2011.

Kevin

 

[NIsaacs]

Check sdtrucksprings.com web site, they sell both the BW hitch and Air Lift bags and the bags are 27% off It looks like the top mounting bracket bolts in place of the axle stop so the BW side mounts should not interfere. I would think they would have some answers for you.

Nick

 

[Bob V]

I don't have a B&W gooseneck but it is very similar and I have the Ride Rite NO DRILL kit. If you use the no drill ride rite, or the similar pac brake (air-lift is the same) you should not have a problem. These kits all replace the factory rear bump stops with air bags so the mounts are not in the way of the hitch. If you try to use the "universal" air bags then you will have problems.

 

[TJJEEPER]

This is on a '12 with the B&W
I had firestones on another truck and these are Air Lift

 

[wyosteve]

TJ, a quick question--is there a specific reason you went with Air Lift vs. the Firestones? I had Firestones on my 04.5 w/ B&W and was happy with them and am contemplating putting them on this '12 unless there's a good reason to go with something different. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Check sdtrucksprings.com web site, they sell both the BW hitch and Air Lift bags and the bags are 27% off It looks like the top mounting bracket bolts in place of the axle stop so the BW side mounts should not interfere. I would think they would have some answers for you.

Nick

I bought my B&W hitches from these people, very knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with. Sales guy even tossed in a 40 dollars discount coupon I wasn't aware of.

Sam

 

[RustyJC]

OK, I've ordered the Firestone Model 2299 kit from sdtrucksprings.com. We'll see how it works out. Thanks for the tip.

Rusty

 

[HookMeUp]

I have the firestone bags on mine and they don't interfere with the B&W hitch. Like it was said above the top mounts where the bump stops were.

 

[TJJEEPER]

TJ, a quick question--is there a specific reason you went with Air Lift vs. the Firestones? I had Firestones on my 04.5 w/ B&W and was happy with them and am contemplating putting them on this '12 unless there's a good reason to go with something different. Thanks in advance.

I bought a package with a 100% duty cycle compressor. If I had it to do over I'd have piece together a kit with the firestones. Their mounts are far superior to the Air Lift.

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks TJ, I'm going with Firestones again.

 

[NIsaacs]

OK, I've ordered the Firestone Model 2299 kit from sdtrucksprings.com.

Rusty

Any updates, do you have them on yet? I see a new RV in your sig. Nice!!

Nick

 

[RustyJC]

Any updates, do you have them on yet? I see a new RV in your sig. Nice!!

Nick

I plan on installing them this Saturday. We just got back from Tennessee where we traded the 2004 MS for the new RV and married the daughter off!

Rusty

 

[RustyJC]

OK, the Firestone airbags are installed. The only issue (minor) was some interference between the driver's side upper mount and a chassis ground - they both wanted the same territory. I was able to loosen and rotate the ground, so all is well. I'll try them tomorrow with the new 5th wheel since we have to get it inspected (safety and form VI-30 VIN verification) before we can register it.

Rusty