Air Bags

[ToddK]

I have an '06 3500 CTD and pull a 30' bumper pull toy hauler. I do have an equalizer WD hitch however the rear of the truck still seems to sag and the front end of the truck is a little light. The tongue weight of the trailer is 1340lbs. Will air bags help at all? Thanks for any input.



Todd

 

[Bob4x4]

You will be able to maintain a level ride.



Bob

 

[JimBob24]

When I pulled my 5th wheel rv the rear dropped about 3" which was just enough to cause my headlights to point up enough at night that I often got the "high-beam flash" from oncoming traffic. I installed a set of Firestone Ride-Rite air bags and now I can easily keep the truck at the proper level while towing to prevent this. It also seems to help dampen oscillations when going over bumps in the road. I am very satisfied with the air bags.



Jim

 

[jelag]

Todd

If you now have a PacBrake, the air supply from your compressor will handle air bags... . and if you get air bags that air supply will handle a pacbrake... .

I own several trucks..... and they all have air bags... our 04 3500 dually pulls a service trailer that weighs up to 22K and we keep the truck level with air bags... .

We've got PacBrake working on a set for our 5500 and we intend to use a leveling valve like on class 8 truck air suspension...

Hope this helps...

 

[proflow]

Im pulling a heavy 5er, there is no comparison at all. Makes the rig stable all the time, no more roller coaster---Proflow

 

[grabinov]

Another yes vote for the Firestone's. They install easily, fit perfectly and improve the handling and ride immensely...

 

[Hoefler]

I have an '06 3500 CTD and pull a 30' bumper pull toy hauler. I do have an equalizer WD hitch however the rear of the truck still seems to sag and the front end of the truck is a little light. The tongue weight of the trailer is 1340lbs. Will air bags help at all? Thanks for any input.



Todd

What is the rating on your equalizer bars?? You may need to go to a heavier bar, when properly set, they will level out your truck and transfer the weight to the front axle. Bags will level out your truck, but you still could be light on the front end.

 

[HBarlow]

I recently had to have the rear springs of my '06 3500 DRW rearched and added a leaf to the springs. IMO the rear springs of all Gen III Rams are too soft to carry their rated loads. They sag too much when loaded and over time will permanently sag until they rest on the bump stops. They need some assistance whether it be additional spring leafs, air bags, or Timbrens.



I have Timbrens on my current truck but am thinking of a set of air bags for the replacment truck when PacBrake offers them for a cab and chassis.



Harvey

 

[JGoss]

I'm very happy with the ride-rites. I didn't want them at first, just for the simple fact of more things to maintain and watch over. I ditched the quick fittings, and used compression fittings, which I routed under my back seat with 2 gauges and valve stems. Works great so far.

 

[DonTX]

Air bags are wonderful, but will do absolutely nothing about your light front end, the weight distribution hitch does that, two entirely different systems doing different things.

 

[steved]

What is the rating on your equalizer bars?? You may need to go to a heavier bar, when properly set, they will level out your truck and transfer the weight to the front axle. Bags will level out your truck, but you still could be light on the front end.

Exactly... sounds like the WDH bars are either too light or not adjusted correctly... air bags will not help this.

 

[hilda]

I have an '06 3500 CTD and pull a 30' bumper pull toy hauler. I do have an equalizer WD hitch however the rear of the truck still seems to sag and the front end of the truck is a little light. The tongue weight of the trailer is 1340lbs. Will air bags help at all? Thanks for any input.



Todd

It's also important to keep the trailer level and keeps the weight equal on the trailer's axles. Just being out of level a few inches can shift hundreds of pounds.



Hilda

 

[ToddK]

Exactly... sounds like the WDH bars are either too light or not adjusted correctly... air bags will not help this.

This is most likely the issue. I have made adjustments to the system but I think I am just going to start over from the beginning with the instructions and see if that may help. BTW, the system is an Equalizer, 1400/14000lbs.



Thanks for all the replies.