Air bag vs. helper springs?

[Stovebolt]

Greetings all,

I have a '15 3500 (Cummins/Aisin combo, dually crewcab 4wd). I pull a 40-foot Big Tex flat trailer. Fully loaded, the trailer squats the back of the truck down a bit. Am I right in thinking air bags are the way to go? I don't much care to improve the ride -- I think the ride is fine. I do want to improve handling and to level out the truck better at max GCVW.

Advice/recommendations/thoughts much appreciated!

V/R
John

 

[GAmes]

I started out with Timbrens. They are super easy to install, affordable and work OK. The problem is after time they crush and lose their effectiveness. I now have air bags. More expensive, air lines that can spring a leak, air compressor that has a duty life, bags that can blow out (one did in AK). But they are adjustable for the load and overall are superior to the Timbrens. The choice is yours.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Unless you are adding well over 4,500# I would not even consider bags unless ride is an issue and you say it is not. 4,500# pin in pic and no bags. i did add bags and bilsteins for ride improvement. If your truck sits level as in pic I would do NOTHING!

 

[TJJEEPER]

I've put air bags on both my 2006 and my 2012 and I'd do it again. The adjustability is what works for me. If you get on a particularly bad section of freeway where the joints are pounding the load you can adjust to help. The other reason I use them is to keep my headlight to the right level at night. If I get too many flashes a few more pounds will cure it.
I used the compressor for the Pac-Brake on the 06 and installed my own (viair, 100% duty cycle) on the 12. Make sure you get the individual feed air bags, useful in a cross wind. And last, the Firestone bags were on the 06 and by far a better kit than the Air Ride I put on the 12.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Stovebolt]

Here's my problem. And this isn't even at max GCVWR. Thanks for the advice, I will look into the airbags then.

 

[NIsaacs]

In the mean time, move your load back and or switch the blue truck to the front, it looks lighter than the grey one. You have some serious pin weight loaded as is, maybe as much as 7k, if that grey Power Wagon weighs 8k.

Nick

 

[Crazy Horse]

See this post regarding Aux. Overload Springs. Photos of spring pack shown in that link. I've done them all trying to fix weak spring packs, swaying in high winds, and droop in the rear putting the bumper on the ground, and these OL spring packs work the best. Any competent Spring shop can do the work. No hastles with rough ride empty, air line leaks, ETC.

 

[EGroeneveld]

If you tow almost all the time. SuperSprings or spring shop add-a-leafs are great. My truck with Supersprings with a fully loaded Arctic Fox 1150 Camper. I love this setup. Works great for towing my toyhauler too.

 

[EDankievitch]

I had over Load springs on my 89 hated them. Every pot hole they would bang and here in NY all we have is pot holes. I installed firestone air bags on my 2005 and have never looked back. When I traded the 05 i removed the air bag kit and installed them ion the 2012 that I had for a year. Had issues with the 12, the dealer took it back I removed the kit again and just had to order the new upper mounting brackets for my 2013. Yea, my wife says I'm cheap... Lol. But my point is 3 trucks same kit and wouldn't have anything but to help level the load.

 

[jelag]

stovebolt.... are you a contract hauler? if so, what area's are you hauling

I owned a trailer like your using... just a different brand... I know our axle location was more forward on the frame than what is on your BigTex... it was more like 60/40..... yours looks more like 70/30.... when we towed... we almost always sat level... we had (2) 12K lb disc brake axles... and were often over 20K of trailer weight...

 

[Stovebolt]

jelag -- Sort of ... I've been doing mainly local hauls instate (MD), for about 18 years as well as driving a big truck part time for a buddy. Now and then, I run interstate (why yes, I have an unrestricted Class A, current medical and a DOT number, thank you for checking ) I plan to expand my operation in a couple of years when I retire from my day job. I have an annual run I make to NOLA -- I get paid to go to Mardi Gras, which isn't as much fun as you may think as it involves running this rig in 3 or 4 parades. If you know NOLA then you know what I face. I've gotten really good with this trailer

Mardi Gras with the old truck

 

[Cummins12V98]

View attachment 96889Here's my problem. And this isn't even at max GCVWR. Thanks for the advice, I will look into the airbags then.

What problem???

Your truck is setting level, I see no issue unless you are getting bouncing.