firestone vs pacbrake air bags

[trak560]

i'm looking at putting airbags in my 04. 5 ctd, and was wondering if anyone has tried the firestone or the pacbrake airbags and which one you prefer. thanks.

 

[MegaCleanCab]

I have the firestone bags and found the install to be a breeze. They really helped with the towing of my 5th wheel. I did notice a increased ride height even when minimully inflated but have not measured it yet. I bought mine at summit racing which had the lowest price when combined with shipping I could find at the time.

 

[JCasper]

I have the firestones also.



I didn't know about the pacbrake ones when I purchased.

 

[Buffalo]

PacBrake had a booth at the Quartzite (AZ) RV Show, this past week. They had cut-aways of three different air bags. One had steel ends that they said could rust, especially, from the inside. Another had plastic ends & PacBrake had very thick aluminum ends.



Also, in the middle of the bags, there is a ridge with metal cords going around the circumference of the bags. The PacBrake unit looked like it had the best varity of cords.



All this might not make any difference in air bag performance but, the PacBrake did look more impressive, to me.



I'm not suggesting that everyone run out & buy the PacBrake bags but, you might want to, at least, take a look at them. I wonder if PacBrake has pictures of the cut-aways of the different bags. Would be a good selling point.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[RankRam]

Joe thanks for the information, did they mention how much they cost?

 

[SWiller]

I think im going to get the pacbrake air bags they look very stout and their only $240. Air Suspension Kits - PacBrake - Exhaust and Engine Brakes for Automotive, Motorhome, Medium Duty and Heavy Duty Vehicles

 

[GCross]

Have had the Firestone bags with the in cab control (not self leveling). Have no complaints, the truck is always level. With heavy loads they definitely improve stability.



Easy install, no drilling.



-George-

 

[-Alex-]

I've had the same Air Lift brand bags since '95. I took them off my '95 V10 when I got my '98 12V and they have never have had a problem. Air bags are great, I removed the stock over load leaf because I hated the way the stock overloads went clap, clap, clap as I went down washboard roads. Ride loaded and unloaded is greatly improved. I had a 2,900# ( I know - about a 1000# over my rated payload) cabover for a while and a air bags and adjustable Rancho shocks made for a firm level ride. I have a new '08 on order and I will definitely be installing air bags on it. Looks like I have more brands to choose from now.

 

[jelag]

I put the air ride brand on my 3500's before PacBrake had their product available..... (the HD kit) I was at PacBrake with one of my trucks during the design phase... they photographed the lower mount and decided that their design was not strong enough to handle the load and they with held their product release until the issue could be solved... they have since sent me a retrofit kit for my trucks, to replace the air ride kit... It is a stronger bracket and at this point has not bent or deformed like the air ride product did... . If the lower bracket on a Firestone kit is close to the air ride kit and you overload your truck like I do mine... I than suggest you consider the PacBrake.

The 04 3500 pulls a 22K lb trailer and I'm guessing 3,500 lb tongue weight and we use the air bag kit to level the truck... . often at the limit with 110 psi...

 

[RVTRKN]

I put the air ride brand on my 3500's before PacBrake had their product available..... (the HD kit) I was at PacBrake with one of my trucks during the design phase... they photographed the lower mount and decided that their design was not strong enough to handle the load and they with held their product release until the issue could be solved... they have since sent me a retrofit kit for my trucks, to replace the air ride kit... It is a stronger bracket and at this point has not bent or deformed like the air ride product did... . If the lower bracket on a Firestone kit is close to the air ride kit and you overload your truck like I do mine... I than suggest you consider the PacBrake.



The 04 3500 pulls a 22K lb trailer and I'm guessing 3,500 lb tongue weight and we use the air bag kit to level the truck... . often at the limit with 110 psi...

Jim, do you know of any brand which sell an airbag system for my 07 3500 C&C



Steve...

 

[GCross]

I forgot to mention that like Alex, I had the overloads removed when the Kore suspension was installed. The bags easily take up the slack.



-George-

 

[thashane]

seriously considering the pacbrake kit. Only fear is that is a recently released kit, does anybody know what kind of warranty PacBrake is offering on he airbags?

 

[Pacbrake]

We offer a two year warranty, We've never had a bag failure even in the design stages.

 

[JCasper]

We offer a two year warranty, We've never had a bag failure even in the design stages.

Not to hijack here, but I already have Firestone bags, and I just installed a Pacbrake.



Can I purchase the pacbrake airbag controller and use it with my firestone bags?



I currently have both compressors on the truck because the bags were added a year ago and the pacbrake just last week. It would be nice to clean things up.

 

[kblranch]

Can you use the air bags with the rear wheelwell liners?

 

[AH64ID]

Can you use the air bags with the rear wheelwell liners?

Dont know about the pacs, but you can with the firestones.

 

[kblranch]

Thats good to know as I do not want to lose the liners. When I tow the trailer at night I get some cars flashing their lights at me thinking I have the high beams on. Air bags would be nice while towing the trailer and keeping it level.

 

[-Alex-]

My liners rubbed on my bags, so I had to put a spacer to hold the liner out away from the bag. Only needed about a 1/4" spacer.

 

[MegaCleanCab]

I have the firestones with the liners. I have not had any issues.

 

[JJPage]

I have the RideRites(firestone), they install without drilling, in about an hour.



When I lifted my truck, they also had a spacer, just for that situation.



I am very satisfied. Fit and finish is perfect!