Airbags on a 3500

[crobertson1]

I'm thinking about adding air bags and was wondering what brand is best and about price and all the pertinent info that I need to make a decision. Whitey sits a little low when towing. I haven't figured out the tounge weight yet, because with my '01. 5 2500, I never had the back end sag like this one does. The total trailer weight is around 7500 lbs. Thanks.

Craig

 

[Prairie Dog]

I just added the Firestone's to mine because of the same problem. I've had this brand before and was very impressed with them. Big rigs, busses and enviromentall chambers all use Firestone.

The truck sits perfect now and the handling is great. Do yourself a favor and get an on-board air compressor - it makes adjusting the bags super convenient. I bought mine from Truckspring.com.

 

[GFritsch]

Installed the Firestone bags a couple weeks ago. Had good luck with them on my old truck. I got the onboard air system. 2. 5 gallon tank has plenty of air for horns later. I ran the valves for the air bags to the receiver box gusset, and routed the air chuck to the same spot. (drilled holes through the gusset). Now I just plug the air hose into the back of the truck and inflate/deflate the bags. The hose is also long enough to air the tires. The air bags have good instructions, but the tank and compressor are up to your creativity. I used the extra space behind the dually fender and attached the tank to the underside of the bed framing by using toggle bolts and drilling holes in the bed c channel.



Greg

 

[RHARVEY]

Well this weekend will tell the story whether or not I will need to install air bags on my 97 2500. . We are picking up our NEW. . 2005. . Forest River Cardinal 29' 5th wheel this weekend. According to the specs of our 28-5D 5th wheel and our new Cardinal there is only 450lbs difference in the pin weight. Now the UVW is a little different... its somewhere around 1800 lbs.

Any of you folks own one of these rigs????



Rick

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Air bags on 3500

Craig, I have no knowledge of Firestone air bags so can't tell about them. I had Airlift bags on my 95 and put Airlift 5000 bags on my "03" 3500. The truck seemed to sag a little with the Alfa 5er hooked up. The airlift bags and I'm sure the Firestones will improve your ride with the 5er hooked up.

 

[tgrfan2]

I have AirLift on my 95 and Firestone on my 98. Both have been great. A friend is thinking about putting them on his 2003 3500 CTD. I read somewhere that Firestone has them made to fit for no drilling now. That would be a big plus. Let us know how they work.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Originally posted by tgrfan2

I have AirLift on my 95 and Firestone on my 98. Both have been great. A friend is thinking about putting them on his 2003 3500 CTD. I read somewhere that Firestone has them made to fit for no drilling now. That would be a big plus. Let us know how they work.

Both the Firestone Ride-Rites and the Air Lift 5000s are a no-drill installation on the 3rd gen trucks... easy install. I have the Air Lifts on my '03. Like posted above, get the on board air compressor and in-cab controls and gauges which makes it convenient to change the pressures while on the go. Also an easy install, but takes a little more time.



Bill

 

[EB]

Have run Firestone Airbags on my last two trucks. Probably close to 500,000 miles between the two with no failures or problems at all. The 03 system bolts right on like it was stated above. Will take about an hour to install.

 

[crobertson1]

Great! Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like I'll check out the Firestones. The compressor thingy might be down the road a ways. Sounds expensive and a little beyond me technically.

Craig

 

[Coonrod]

I too have the firestone set up. I got it from truckspring.com also.

I went ahead and got the compressor, but I did feel the need for the tank. I spent a little extra to get the HD compressor and dual needle gauge. The whole kit was around $500



The only hard part of the installation (for me anyway) was mounting the compressor. I didn't want to mount under the truck. So i built a bracket that comes up off the manimold heat shield nuts. So know my compressor stays dry. Although it does get a little hot. No problems after 14,000 miles and many uses though. The bags bolt up in about 45min and that is taking your time. Running the lines, mounting the gauges, and wiring the switches took a little time though.

 

[crobertson1]

Coonrod,

What kit did you get? For the air supply setup, I was thinking about the Dual Air Command III (part no. 2271) and bag kit (part no. 2299). Does that sound right?

Craig

 

[Coonrod]

I would have to look at my invoice to be sure, but that sounds right, except my bags are for a 3/4 ton instead of your 1 ton.

 

[RottonRob]

I was wondering if the air compresser for a pac brake would build enough air for the air bags. Would you need a tank? Thanks for the ans.

 

[cwienenga]

make sure and use a good set of gas shocks in back to stabilize.

cliff

 

[crobertson1]

Alright, I need some input. The Dual Air Command III setup is a heavy duty compressor and 1 gal tank with an extension hose and the ability to adjust each bag separately and a dual needle guage. It's like $460. 00. Then there's another kit, same but with a 1/2 gal tank for $380. 00. The less expensive kit ( $250. 00)doesn't have a tank at all and no extension hose and adjusts both bags together. I don't off road the truck(even though it's capable). The extension hose might be nice for airing up ATV/MC or truck tires, but is it worth the cost? Can a tank be added later easily enough if I get the air horn bug? Is an on-board air supply really that much nicer to have as I imagine it would be?

 

[tgrfan2]

Air

Personally, I would put the money toward a generator and small compressor. I know the on board is convenient, but I have my genny and compressor right there in the front bay where I can air up the bags while I am retracting the landing gear. After a couple tows you will know what air pressure works best for you. I put Rancho's on my 95 and I like them, but my 98 still has OE shocks and they do fine at 133K.

 

[SHobbs]

RHarvey a little word of advice on your 5er. I saw by the picture you have a rear kitchen, be sure and make sure your dishes are secured and tied down. If you have dealt with a rear kitchen then you know what you are in for. The rear end bounces alot and can ruin your dishes. Just my . 02 cents. I also have a Cardinal, my kitchen is infront of the tires and things ride pretty good. I have the 34 RLT triple slide. The first time it rains check your slides, all three of mine leaked and it wasn't even a hard rain.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have the single gage $100 air ride compressor and it works fine, in fact this is the second truck I've run this setup on. I can't blow up air mattresses etc but I don't care because I have an old, quiet little compressor I use for that.

 

[cwienenga]

rear kitchen=plastic dishes but don't ask me how we know this.

(and that's with shocks!!!)

cliff & judi

 

[RHARVEY]

SHobbs



I had heard that very same thing . . but forgot it when we bought this new one! We have about 250 miles on it so far over some not so smooth road . . and everything seems to still be together.

You mentioned something about leaking slides... what did you end up doing to correct the problem???

So far we really like the trailer and how well its put together. . This trailer is about 2500lbs heavier than our old one which has brought up a couple of issues. Both issues has forced me to add things to my truck . .

The first issue that I encountered is axle wrap which should be cured this weekend when I get the package from Rob Thomas in the form of ladder bars and the other is just a little drop in the back end from level which will also be cured sometime this week with a set of Firestone airbags that I have sitting in the house. .

Now if I could convince her that I needed a set of PDR Towing twins and a US Gear underdrive transmission... . .

But I do get to get the truck painted in a couple of weeks. . so I guess that is not too bad. .



Rick