Firestone Air Bags

[Archive]

Do I need air bags? Will install Rancho 9000 soon and add slide in that weighs 1800 dry plus tow trailer that maximum weight of7000 lbs. which will be 700lbs. tongue weight using 10 percent. So about 2500lbs. max. Trailer weight is loaded. What I know about air bags they just lift the frame off the axle right or wrong depending on how much air is put in. This pushes weigh forward right? Seems to me these bags will wear out (dry rot) etc. in a short time. Does anybody know the true scoop on air bags?

------------------
99-24v-SLT-Laramie-355 lsd-4x4-auto-reg. cab long box all options except cab lights and carpet K+N-Prime-Loc-Rino -Astroflex remote-Alcoa wheels-CUMMINS IN ALASKA!!!

 

[Archive]

I have used air bags on several trucks in the past and currently have a set on my '96 Dodge. I like them a lot. They are good if you carry a variety of load weights. You can set them differently for each load and level out the truck. I currently have the on board air compressor so I can do this from the cab. It is real handy if you change your load weight a lot like I do.
I have never had a set rot or weather crack. The key is to always carry some air in them, about 5 to 10lbs minimum even when not loaded.
I have a 2" lift in the front of my truck (4WD) to level it out when empty. I can load 2 tons of hay on my flatbed and with about 80lbs in the airbags the truck is still level. I do not have the factory overload springs.
Since I vary my load weight a lot I found that the best shock for me was the Rancho 9000 since I could adjust it to the different settings.
I hope this helps.


------------------
96 2500 4X4 5sp 4:10 215hp SLT Horton fan,TST,4"exhaust,GearVendors,BFG 285/75/16 on Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels, K&N, Detroit Locker,50#Boost and Pyro guages, Aluminim flatbed, gooseneck and bp hitches,Helwig air bags with compressor, Helwig sway bar, Rancho 2" front lift w/9000 shocks all around, Preluber w/aircraft hoses,Hytec rear cover,PacBrake,McCloud dual disc clutch,numerous other accessories. Pull 11,000lb aluminum gooseneck horse trlr. and 14,000lb equipment trlr.

 

[Archive]

IF YOU DON'T HAVE OVER/LOAD SPRINGS,AND AND YOU DONT WANT THE BACK END SITTING DOWN AND LEANING IN THE CURVES YES.
AND NO THE WOUNT ROT OUTTHAT FAST.
MY TRUCK IS A 96 AND I INSTALLED AIR BAGS THE DAY I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER KNOWING WANTED A SMOOTH RIDE + WOULD HAVE HEAVY LOADS IN/BEHIND IT. WHEN I'M AT 25K AND 14 IS ON THE REAR AXLE I RUN 95 LBS. AND IT SETS AND RIDES LEVEL. (DON'T TRY THIS A HOME!!) I HAVE OVER 680K MILES AND HAVE GONE HUNDREDS OF MILES,PARKED OVER NITE AND STILL DON LOOSE OVER A POUND OF AIR.
I DIDNT INSTALL THE THE AUTOMATIC 10 LB. SWITCH THAT CAME WITH THE KIT . WHEN I'M EMPTY I RUN AROUND 7 LBS OF AIR . THEY SMMOTH OUT THE RIDE. I'VE OTHER OWNERS RIDE IN MINE JUST TO SEE HOW IT RIDES AND THE NEXT THERE INSTALLING THERE'S.
ALSO I INSTALLED A HEAVER DUTY COMPRESSOR THAN CAME IN THE KIT SO I COULD USE IT TO AIR UP TIRES & WOULD BE CHANGING THE BAG PRESSURE EVERY OTHER DAY.

------------------
96-3500 SLT EXT. CAB AM/FM/CD-RINO LINER. D-CELERATOR EXH. BRK-RED LINE VAC. OVER HYD BRK CONTROL- AIR BAGS W/HVY DUTY AIR COMP. PUTCO S/STEEL DEEPBOARDS FRONT TO REAR. REESE 20K 5TH WHEEL & GOOSE -REESE 20K HITCH BELOW W/17K RECEVER. CLEAR COATED & SOUND DEADINGING &UNDER COATED 5 SPD/W 4:10 MCHLN'S 235/16'S UNIDEN PC76/WEATHER-WILSON 1000 MAG MOUNT ANT. 4 WHL ANTI LOC BRK SYS.

 

[Archive]

Terry... I put the Firestone Ride Rites on my 3500. I haven't had the chance to really try them out yet. I inflated them with just 15 psi for running around town empty. My Bigfoot 10. 11 camper was destroyed by the local dealer (a BIG oops!) and the replacement will not be here until March. I have talked with other people that claim that the ride is GREATLY enhanced with heavy loads. Here in Alaska the roads are very rough. Lots of frost heaves and woop-de-does, even on the new roads, as you may already know. The air bags should help smooth out the ride and keep the truck level going through the corners with my 4000 pound camper in the box. I would like to find out more about the Rancho 9000 shocks. I see you are from Anchorage... we should get together. Happy Holidays!

------------------
FUNTON 1998. 5,3500,24V ISB,Auto Trans(I get paid to shift gears for a living )Clearcoat Black Sport, Mopar Mud Flaps, Firestone Air Ride Rite helpers with a Bigfoot 10. 11 camper in the box.

 

[Archive]

Yes we should get together sometime after the holidays to compare notes. I,m always looking for new ideas and to talk CUMMINS TALK!!!345-6161

------------------
99-24v-SLT-Laramie-355 lsd-4x4-auto-reg. cab long box all options except cab lights and carpet K+N-Prime-Loc-Rino -Astroflex remote-Alcoa wheels-CUMMINS IN ALASKA!!!

 

[Archive]

I've had Firestone Ride-Rite bags on my '95 4x4 for several years. They don't dry rot. I run empty most of the time, with about 10 psi of air in them. When I hook up to the fifth-wheel trailer, I pump them up to about 90 psi to keep the truck level. I have not noticed any difference one way or the other in the ride quality. My '95 rides nice all the time. My new 2000 Quad Cab with the factory overload springs rides rougher when empty. I haven't loaded it yet. Do any members have reports on the advisability of adding air bags to a truck with factory overload springs installed? I intend to switch the Ride-Rites from my '95 to my 2000 before I sell the '95.