Air Bags

[RHoblitt]

Are any of you running air bags on the rear of your dodges and do they work good. I now have a soft ride when loaded but can bottom out if i him big swells in the road.
Thanks Richard

98 3500 reg cab NV4500 US Gear Under drive, 33ft Alpenlite w/ 2900 lbs pin weight, when loaded the trailer is 9100 and the truck is 10,100.

 

[mschoenheider]

I have Firestone airbags (5000# capacity) and underhood compressor. They're great, especially while towing my goose neck.

Mark

 

[Dkevdog]

I ran Air Lifts in my 96 and they were wonderful. They really smooth the ride out loaded and IMO eliminate the need for the overloads. The only thing I would do different is to keep the bags seperate; in other words keep them independently adjustable so you will keep seay control and be able to adjust for uneven loads.



Other thing is be real careful when drilling through the frame on the drivers side as the brake lines are on that side behind the frame!!



Kev

 

[CPG]

Air bags are the way to go for all around use. They give one a flexible ride with heavy loads or light.

I happen to have the Air Lift brand which I have found very satisfactory with My 26' fifth wheel. Its really a flexible system with the trailer on or off.



Chuck

 

[RHoblitt]

Thanks Guys, i think i will get some air bags for my old truck.
RichardOo.

 

[Dean Upson]

Richard,



Just for the heck of it check out http://www.timbren.com/. I had air springs on my 98 and liked them, but I chickened out with the no drill on the '03 frame. I got the Timbrens and so far I like them. The install is very easy, my wife could put them on once I showed her what a wrench is. There is absolutely no effect on the empty ride and there is no chance of puncturing the bag and losing the air. So far I like them as well as the air bags.



Dean

 

[Prairie Dog]

Ya, air bags are sometimes nice but they do take up the front seat and seem to wanna yak at the most innappriate of times. Mine's not worth a dang at holding up the back of my truck either.

 

[RHoblitt]

Oh prairie dog you very funny this morning. Thanks Dean i will check that site out. Richard











98 3500 Rcab 2wd NV4500 USGear under/drive. Borgson shaft,pacbrake. AH1141 w/custom box and shield. One piece drive shaft. xps michlin tires,gauges and bed boxes. 288rwhp. 33ft Alpenlite 5er.

 

[Prairie Dog]

OK Richard, I think your just blowing hot air up my skirt now (figuratively speaking).

 

[RVPILOT]

Air ride

Air ride is the way to go, don't confuse air ride with air bags. I have Kelderman air ride with air ride drivers seat with over 500,000 miles on them and they still function well. The only modification I made was replace the original pump with a unit from G M cars that used air suspension, these units are of good quality and a lot better than what was supplied. Stormy

 

[FDziurda]

Air Ride

I recently installed the Kelderman dual bag rear air ride in my truck. Doesn't change load capacity but makes very noticeable improvement in the "ride". It's supposed to help eliminate the Oo. in the back of the truck when towing, however, I have not had a chance to take the trailer out for a spin and check it out.



I purchased a commercial 12V air compressor on EBay for $50 and made up a manifold with pressure gauge to control the bag pressures. Works great.



Frank Dz

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Firewstones

My Firestone Airbags with onboard compressor and in-cab inflation/deflation all at the flick of a couple of switches - were fitted almost three years ago and have been working flawlessly ever since. cannot recommend them highly enough and the in-cab control makes changes up/down a breeze. Further details, links etc in the profile below.

 

[Gunny]

I have the Air Lift airbags and compressor on my 1 ton. They make a big difference when towing and I would never be without them. The onboard compressor is a whole nuther story. When it is working it is very good, however I am on my 4th compressor in less than a year. They just well not last for me. They are so bad that I would not recommend the compressor to anyone that I know. JMO



Gunny

 

[RHoblitt]

Thanks for all of your info, i went to camping world today a got a set of Air Lift super duty bags for my trk. I didn't get the pump system after reading some of the posts i think i will fill them with propane and check for leaks with a torch. hee hee. Think i will install tomorrow and run single lines to each bag. We have to do this now as the house is going up for sale in two weeks and we are out of here in June. Like Bronson said, where you going, where ever i end up i guess.

 

[Dean Upson]

Richard,



I ran the lines to each side of my license plate on my 98. 5, worked great.



Dean

 

[mschoenheider]

I forgot to mention above that I have the onboard compressor and it has work great. I did get the heavy duty compressor, rather than the one the usually sell with the kit.

Mark

 

[RHoblitt]

That sounds good Dean. Thanks Richard

 

[JWhitcomb]

How many of you folks with air bags left the factory overloads on. ? By the way, get under there and check the bolts now and then, they do get loose and cause problems.

 

[RVPILOT]

I saw your reply to a post and you said that you did not want a compressor or gauge, how do you plan to adjust for different loads? another reply was he did not want drill in the frame. The Kelderman ride uses the existing holes and replaces the rear spring perch bracket and the air bags are intergrated with the hitch reciver. Am I missing something ?Stormy

 

[RHoblitt]

Changed my thinking on the compressor and gauges. I ordered one today so i can adjust from in cab. After driving it with 50lbs in the bags and not liking the ride i decided to go with the compressor kit. My load never changes other than its either loaded or unloaded. I ordered my truck in 97 with the trailer towing package and it did not come with overload springs. Now that we are getting ready to set sail for good i felt the air bags would be nice to have since we are getting heavier and bottom out sometimes. If it were not so hard to drive around town i would get a MDT and get it over with as the dodge 1 ton is at its limits now. Richard:{