Anyone running airbags?

[surfbeetle]

I bought the Air Ride bags on mine. I had to drill into the frame on the 95 because the hitch bracket for the fifth wheel was in the way so I had to move them a bit. Not a big deal. It makes a huge difference for me, I was having drive shaft vibrations because the truck was sagging too much with the trailer. With the bags, I can level it up.



As for shocks remember, that the shocks really only control the amount of movement by slowing it down and dampening it. The air bags will to a point, decrease the amount of travel you have on the suspension, especially when you leave a campground and have the bags aired up and the trailer back at the spot. You will remember it on the first bump you hit.

 

[AH64ID]

Is there a slim possibility one of the air bags could blow out like a tire? Would be terrible pulling a big trailer and one fails. It looks like I am coon hunting going down the road at times. Not over-loaded but the head lights shine way out there.

Okie

They could, but I can't even recall ever hearing about it 1st, or even 2nd, hand.



Between my dad and I we have 4 sets, with 50K, 70K, 80K, and 200K miles on them. No issues or leaks.

 

[JFought]

i rub a hole in one, due to my neglect. but i have the 2 plumbed together.

i replaced one pac bag at a reasonable cost from pac directly.

 

[Chrisw]

The dodge i have now is the first truck i have had with air bags, and i love them, I never did the hole tape measuring thing like one of the guys talked about. But he is right on, I just had to learn the hard way, I use to have a big slide in truck camper and tried every pressure mark on the gauge, drive and make a change, I had it down to a science. I knew how much air to add if i have water or no water. with a trailer or with out. . Now that i have a 33ft 5th wheel i still love them just as much. I run 33 to 35 psi with my set up it brings the back down to just above level when loaded. still puts a lot of weigh on the springs and for me it nets the best ride and drive feel. ... ...



moral of the story its some of the best money you can spend on your truck if you tow heavy.

 

[FFL8N]

I installed the firestone's myself. Do yourself a favor though, and get the compressor if you can afford it. I had it on my old truck, but have to adjust the new truck manually. It can be a little inconvenient.

 

[bromano676]

has anyone ever tried this. The local Heavy duty truck shop recommends this over the bags. They say they don't blow out, dont need air, are completely out of the picture when unloaded so it does not affect the ride.



Vehicle Suspension Kits - Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems

 

[mpaulson]

From the sounds of it, you would like the compressor if you are hauling allot and running back empty or with a different trailer with a different weight so that you can adjust on the fly. I run mine at 90 psi when loaded with the quads and trailer since I'm at 9700# on the rear axle and need it. I haven't blown any up yet since 1992. I've had bags on all 7 of the trucks I have owned and will have them on the future trucks also. All of mine have been Firestone's.

As for the Timbrens, IMO, the truck has to squat too much for my liking till they come into contact to do there job. If they are set up to come into contact too soon, then they give you the bottoming out feeling (sudden stop in downward travel) when running empty and hitting a dip or bump in the road. We have them in one of our work trucks and regret it.

 

[AH64ID]

I have never liked the idea of Timbren's for the same reasons people like them. They aren't adjustable, they take "x" amount of weight to be in use.

The only time I see Timbren's being better is if you are always the same heavy weight, i. e. service truck. If your load varies the airbags are much better. My . 02.

 

[CBari]

I just installed a set of pac brakes air bags their compressor in cab controller and exhaust brake. It took about six hours total. The air bags where very easy to install. I would reccomend removing the spare tire while you work, it gives you lots more room to work.



I definitely like the incab adjustablility. Had two horse in trailer and picked up two more added a little more and ride was better. Dropped the extra two horse off and got back on the interstate and realised the ride was rougher so I let a little air out and all was well again.



I only wish I had added the bags 5 years ago when I bought the bigger trailer. O'well live and learn.

 

[Okie-Go]

When adding airbags do you lose the overload springs??

 

[surfbeetle]

No, you shouldn't need to lose them. Usually, the upper part of the bags attach to the frame with a bracket and the lower part has a bracket that attaches to the leaf springs with large U bolts.

 

[AH64ID]

When adding airbags do you lose the overload springs??

No, but you won't ever use them again

 

[FFL8N]

I still have mine on the truck but am thinking of removing them. Just looking for a little softer daily driver and let the air bags hangle the loads

 

[AH64ID]

I still have mine on the truck but am thinking of removing them. Just looking for a little softer daily driver and let the air bags hangle the loads

I am not sure it would make much difference. Mine take quite a bit of load to contact them, and don't think they ever contact around town... but if you do notice a big difference us know.

 

[Barry]

Sooner or later, I think I will need to install the airbag system. The folks at Geno's just go overboard to supply us with quality products at an affordable price. Therefore, I think I would buy their airbag system.



With that said, the picture of that system looks like it has enough parts for now and some for after while.



Can you install the system in 2 or 3 hours... ... ... ... ..... and still have parts left over to put in the junk box for later?

 

[RBellah]

Installed my Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags and it is simple. I will say installing the air lines is easy, but you take more time figuring the route than it takes to put them on.

One piece of advise, if you loosen the inside leaf spring u bolt the installation of the lower bracket will be easier. I have hooked up the trailer and it looks like 25 Lbs air pressure loaded is going to get me close to level. I measured the air pressure unloaded and it was 10lbs. I will know more in couple of weeks when I take off for the Arkansas trip.



I am now thinking of my next project... maybe some gauges - Analog? Thanks, RB

 

[Bill Stockard]

Sooner or later, I think I will need to install the airbag system. The folks at Geno's just go overboard to supply us with quality products at an affordable price. Therefore, I think I would buy their airbag system.



With that said, the picture of that system looks like it has enough parts for now and some for after while.



Can you install the system in 2 or 3 hours... ... ... ... ..... and still have parts left over to put in the junk box for later?

Barry,



The photo in Geno's catalog doesn't show the kit for a 3rd gen truck. It looks more like a 2nd gen kit. For a photo of the parts and the installation instructions for the kit that fits your truck, go here: http://www.pacbrake.com/PDF/L5682.PDF



Bill

 

[FFL8N]

I am not sure it would make much difference. Mine take quite a bit of load to contact them, and don't think they ever contact around town... but if you do notice a big difference us know.

I haven't been under my truck for a while, but if I remember correct, the leaf springs sit on the overloads all the time. So, as you apply weight (or it a bump) the springs "roll" down and press agains the overloads. It seems like there will always be some resistance against the overloads as long as they are there.

 

[AH64ID]

There is a several inch gap on mine, and statically they don't come into contact until about 3K lbs in the bed with min psi in the bags.

EDIT: I just took some pics of mine. I have about 200lbs in the bed and the bags were at min psi when I last adjusted them, it was 70° out then and about 35° now so they may be below min psi.

There are marks where they contact, but I also recently had about 1500 lbs bed/tongue and was doing some back roads driving and I know thy contact in those dynamic situations since I let the load drop my truck about 1-1. 5" then use the bags to stay at that level.

Front overload:
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Rear overload:
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[Barry]

Thanx Uncle Bill,



The PDF you referenced is for a 4WD, is there any difference in the install of a 2WD?