Advice needed on air bags

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I need some input from those of you who pull a 5vr. with your Cummins 2WD LWB with the camper package (with overload springs) With a pin weight of 2400lbs. ,will the rear tend to sag or are the springs capable of supporting the load? I know the ride tends to be on the stiff side with the overloads engaged. Do you recommend the air bags for support and ride quality? What have you found to be the best combination? Can you fit the air bags without removing the overload springs? Thanks,Tom

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2000 Qc LWB 6Sp 3:54 LSD, + all the options except leather, BD Stage ll Injectors, Boost Module, Boost Elbow, K&N,
BD E-Brake with Shifter Control, ISSPRO EGT and Boost Gauges, Transfer Flow 50 Gal. Alum. Fuel Tank, Line X
16K Hijacker Double Rocker, Pulling a 35Ft. triple slide Spinnaker 5vr.
with every option available.

 

[Archive]

The information I have is you have to remove the overload springs to install air bags. I didn't have the overloads so my install was no problem. I would recommend you have them installed as there are some real tough holes to drill through the frame. I have the Firestone brand and like them real well. You can pressure them up for a load, and then bleed them off to about 20# for a softer ride unloaded.

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98. 5 24v 3500 E-brake by Jacob U. S. Gear over/direct O'Reilly Air Horns 35' Prowler 5th wheel with three slides Firestone air helper springs

 

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I pull a 34' travel supreme 5er with my 2wd,3500qc dually pin weight 2200 lbs with vety little squat in the rear end and it rides a lot smoother with the additional weight!

 

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Thanks for your responses. I loaded a 38ft. triple slide today as a test and was surprised to see that my rear only squatted 2. 5 inches from the weight (2300lbs. )It just barely engaged the overloads and the rear was still 2 inches higher than the front. I guess I will wait until I can hitch up my own trailer and try it without the air bags first. If I don't like the ride, I will add the bags later.

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2000 Qc LWB 6Sp 3:54 LSD, + all the options except leather, BD Stage ll Injectors, Boost Module, Boost Elbow, K&N,
BD E-Brake with Shifter Control, ISSPRO EGT and Boost Gauges, Transfer Flow 50 Gal. Alum. Fuel Tank, Line X
16K Hijacker Double Rocker, Pulling a 35Ft. triple slide Spinnaker 5vr.
with every option available.

 

[Archive]

I went back to my camper dealer to have the Air Lift overloads installed and this is what I learned. The rear of the truck is 2 1/2" higher than the front with the factory overloads (3200 lb camper on truck). The tech said that he would have to take off the overload springs to put on the air bags and the result would be 2 1/2" lift in the rear. He told me to keep my $$ as the air bags would make no difference. I did add the Rancho 9000 for a better ride.

My $0. 02
Tim

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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by TomB:
I need some input from those of you who pull a 5vr. with your Cummins 2WD LWB with the camper package (with overload springs) With a pin weight of 2400lbs. ,will the rear tend to sag or are the springs capable of supporting the load? I know the ride tends to be on the stiff side with the overloads engaged. Do you recommend the air bags for support and ride quality? What have you found to be the best combination? Can you fit the air bags without removing the overload springs? Thanks,Tom

 

[Archive]

See the soon to be posted Add under Potential Business. This product will give you the best of all worlds by stabilizing and supporting your trucks rear suspension. mrbob

 

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I bought my truck used and it didn't have the overloads.
When I hook up my fifth wheel the rear is about an inch lower than the front. This really bothered me so I went for the air bags at Camping World. They work just fine.
I just got back from dry camping in the Utah mountains and found a great side benefit to these bags. The lake I stayed at has no camp grounds and you just stay where ever you can fit. This happened to be a 3 2x4 jack up on one side to level the rig.
Have you ever tried to re-hook up in this situation? The truck is leaning sideways and the fiver is level. I carry one of those portable air tanks with me and filled up the bag on the low side of the truck, which raised it up about 4". That was enough with one 2x4 under the tire to make an easy hook up.
For those of you who camp in the rough these bags could have benifits beside the obvious... .
Ron

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'99 Quad long bed, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 55 limslip, DD stage IIs/boost module and elbow, US Gear D-brake, 4" exhaust, gauges, stock filter, and a bunch of other stuff