Air bags or not?

[AFacey]

OK guys - I need some advice from some experienced users. I tow a 7500# 5th wheel with my truck. My truck pulls it very nice as long as there is no wind. When towing in wind the trailer really moves the truck around. So much that I have to slow down to 55~60 MPH. Would the ride-rite system help? Any advice?



Thanks-

 

[yycguy]

Just a thought, these are rubber blocks "Timbren"

www.timbren.com

Check them out.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

yycguy, just finished installing Air Lift 5000's on my 03. The only reason I put them on was to level the truck. My opinion the new dodges are too soft. Tow a 5th wheel with 10,080lbs on the trailer axles and a pin weight of around 2200 lbs. Have not had a chance to tow the 5er yet, so we'll see how much difference it makes, On my 95 CTD also had air bags and really liked them.

BTW install on the 03 MUCH nicer and cleaner install, no drilling other than for the air valves.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

air bags

AFacey, see post I addressed at yycguy It's been a long day

 

[GregTaylor]

i don't think my air bags help what so ever on sway just a leveling devise. i like to set them at 10 psi for empty for a better ride. when i haul the camper i set them to 40 psi. there is a rear sway bar you can add to your truck to fix your sway problem. by the by you shouldn't be going faster than 60 mph reguardless of the wind.

greg

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by yycguy

Just a thought, these are rubber blocks "Timbren"

www.timbren.com

Check them out.

Ditto, I am very pleased with mine and they take about 10 minutes to install. Never have to worry about a puncture. The only down side that I know of is that if you carry a heavy enough load all the time while not towing, your empty ride will suffer. I carry a tool box and my hitch in the truck most of the time and them Timbrens are not touching. I have heard from friends that they have some of the best customer service around if you have any problems.



Dean

 

[DPelletier]

You're right Greg, airbags are for leveling and not sway control. If you're looking for effective sway control, you need to;

- stiffen the spring pack (mains or overloads) and/or

- add shocks with heavy dampening (i. e. Rancho 9000's) and/or

- add a sway bar (like a Helwig)



Dave

 

[DPelletier]

..... Oh, the Timbren's would also help with sway assuming they are set-up corrrectly.



Dave

 

[klenger]

I tow a 10K 5er with no sway at all. Have you weighed your truck and trailer to see what the trailer weight distribution is? Sounds like the pin weight might be too low. Pin weight should be 15 - 25% of the total trailer weight. Your 7500 lbs is not that heavy. I just noticed that you have a SWB. That may contribute to the sway, but not all that much.

 

[AFacey]

I have not weighed the rig loaded, but the dry weight is 7500# with a 1450# pin weight. I also have the pullrite superglide which adds about 250# to the bed. The heavy items are stored in the front compartment ( generator etc... ) and I only travel with 10 gallons of fresh water. Keep in mind that I'm looking to improve the sway in heavy wind. It rides perfect in normal conditions. This just might be the way it has to be?? I think I will try the ranchos as I have had them before and liked them. .

 

[Udaloy]

Give the AirTabs a try. They are supposed to help a lot with sway, and are known to help with fuel mileage.

 

[CLAYTON]

I put on the firestone airbags and love them. Levels the truck right out and seems to go down the road better then before with out all the bounce. Never having installed them before it took me about 45 mins. I don't think I could have rocked them in 10 mins like Dean Upson

 

[crobertson1]

I too think the new trucks are "softer" in the rear spring dept. We went camping this weekend and the same trailer and setup I used with my '01. 5 2500 with Camper pack. , the new 3500 sagged a lot more in the rear. I tightened my weight dist bars to try to compensate a little but it still was too low.

Craig

 

[yycguy]

I also ran into that problem on my 1st tow, my trailer only weights in at 8000 lbs and I had too much sag for my liking.

yycguy

 

[DPelletier]

Yep, definitely a softer spring pack.



Dave

 

[Casey Balvert]

A fifth wheel that size should tow fine with your truck. Is your hitch installed so that the center of the pin behind your rear axle? Ideally the center of the pin should be a couple of inches forward of the rear axle. Pump up your tires to max pressure all the way around. I really don't think any sort of load assist device on the rear axle will improve your handling. FWIW



Casey