If I get Rancharo 9000s do I need air bag too?

[BC]

This week I will replace my shocks. I've decided, because of all the posts, to go with Rancharo 9000s. I pull a good bit. We are getting ready to take the 5er out for drive out west. It is 14k, we also pull a 12k horse trailer, and a 13k flat bed.



Question is, since I'll have the rancharos on, do I still need to add an air bag? I'm betting lots of y'all pull without an air bag. Any advice?



Thanks for the advice.



Bill Cook

 

[moparguy]

Bill, I run just the Rancho's and have never felt the need for air bags. I've pulled a lot of trailer (4 hrs inline, steel with LQs, backhoe trailer, hay trailers and, well you get the idea) and the trucks suspension has been up to the task with out the need for air bags.



IMO it all depends oh how the trailer is loaded.



Good luck on the trip.

 

[Turbo Thom]

BC:

If you have the overload springs why would you need the air bags? All the bags do is even out the load. At least that's what they're for. I tow a 13,000 lb fiver with the OLS very well, but I don't like the shocks I have on it now. I have a buddy that tows 14,000 with ont OL springs with a 95. He don't say much, just keeps on going. . My next shock will be the Ranchos.

Also, can you make it down to STP the 28th. SETDR is haveing a bommmmmming/work day for everyone with a Cummins.

Preston

 

[Cobra]

Bill



I have a 2001. 5 2500 with the air bags and stock shocks and overload springs (camper special). I am getting ready to take the air bags off. Thgat sounds dumb but I run two lanes in the Pa mountains and I get alot of swaying. My son tells me that the bags are keeping the truck high and not letting the springs do their job. He says if I take the bags off the truck will be more stable, so I am going to try it. Oh yeah, I haul a slidein camper. Its a heavy bugger. Thats why I put the bags on. IMO you don't need them with the camper special. MY . 02 cents

 

[NVR FNSH]

Cobra,

The sway is probably due to the lack of dampening - stock shocks are pretty softly valved. Stiffer valved shocks should help your situation.



Brian

 

[BC]

Thom, I wish I could be there on the 28th. We leave for Wyoming on the 22nd. I will attend y'alls get to gethers when I get back to Georgia, looking forward to it.



By the way Thom, do you know of anyone in the Cartersville - Canton area who is great on Dodge brakes? I am set to take the 3500 up to Jasper on Wednesday to have the rotors turned, and then back here to have a local guy do a complete brake job (pads, replace fluid, and adjust the rears). If you know of a local shop that has the right equipment to turn the rotors while they are still mounted to the truck (I have a 4x4), I'ld like to talk to them.



Thanks Thom and Cobra for the info on the airbags. Yes I have the heavy duty springs. I'll get the new shocks this week. Thom is there a best place to go to buy them? Is there a best place to go to get them installed.



Thanks for any info.



Bill Cook

 

[DUNE RACER]

I have airbags with Rancho 9000's on my truck and its the perfect combo. I haul a large slide in with a cargo trailer in tow and with just the OLS and 9000's the truck sat to low in the rear. I removed my overloads to get clearance for the airbags. Now the ride is better and at 65 psi everything is nice and level. I went with airlifts superduty set up.

 

[BC]

Dune,



Thanks for the info.



I've decided to go with just the Rancharo 9000s. They should be in today. I'll put them on tomorrow.



If I don't like the ride, or there isn't a big improvment in ride then I'll look at adding air bags.



Thanks for everyone's help on this. Much appreciated.



Bill Cook