Rear air spring choice?

[dcs1968]

I am having trouble making a decision on what air springs to purchase for the truck in my signature. I am looking at the Pacbrake set up sold by Geno's Garage, or the Load lifter 5000 ultimate. The Load Lifters state that they have a lifetime warranty and a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. With the Pacbrake springs I have checked both Geno's site and Pacbrake's site and can't find any specific warrant information. There is only a $20 difference between the two. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your insight.

 

[Brocky]

I put the Firestone Air bag set up on my 06 F-250 and was happy with them, until I swapped it for a Ram 3500.

 

[Cummins2014]

I have the Airlift 5000 Ultimate, and the Airlift 72000 air system. Been very happy with them. I had the firestone in my previous truck with the Airlift air system, and was also a good combination. IMO you can't go wrong with either. I went with Airlift this time mainly because of price with the $50 rebate on each item the airbags ,and the air compressor system. I like the 72000 remote air system ,didn't have to run any wires or air lines into the cab. Very simple install.

I have heard Pacbrake are okay, haven't used them, but IMO the Airlift will serve you well, I wouldn't hesitate to go with Airlift again. I would shop around on prices .

 

[zetatre]

Here's the warranty for Pacbrake -> http://pacbrake.com/wp-content/uploads/L5753.pdf

Here's a couple of sources offering an alternative view on Airlift. It's a little dated, but who knows if things have changed: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/238390-Firestone-vs-Pacbrake-airbags); some reviewer on amazon also expressed concerns of the quality of the hardware: http://amzn.com/B00B32DISA

On the other hand I couldn't find any recurring complain about Pacbrake so when comes time that's what I'll go with: I'm in the market for a 5th wheel toy hauler so perhaps I'll ivest in some (seems like an easy and fun project to install). Amazon has some good pricing on them.

Whichever you go with the most critical part is to keep the minimum recommended pressure to avoid pinch punctures or damages.

 

[RustyJC]

I run the Firestone Ride Rite air bags and am quite satisfied with their performance towing our heavy 5th wheel.

Rusty

 

[CBari]

I put the pacbrake ones on my 03 and can promise you that I abuse them by no ends. When truck is empty I run them empty. The truck has a flat bed on it and I use it on the farm. It is nothing for me to put 4 tons of feed on the bed and go a few miles between fields, or load trailer with 30 rolls of hay and haul it around the farm through ditches and such. They are just as good of shape as the day I put them on. I actually looked them over last night while I was fixing a wiring issue. The abuse they have handled has surprised me. I will be putting them on my 13 when the time comes.

 

[Cummins2014]

Here's the warranty for Pacbrake -> http://pacbrake.com/wp-content/uploads/L5753.pdf

Here's a couple of sources offering an alternative view on Airlift. It's a little dated, but who knows if things have changed: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/238390-Firestone-vs-Pacbrake-airbags); some reviewer on amazon also expressed concerns of the quality of the hardware: http://amzn.com/B00B32DISA

On the other hand I couldn't find any recurring complain about Pacbrake so when comes time that's what I'll go with: I'm in the market for a 5th wheel toy hauler so perhaps I'll ivest in some (seems like an easy and fun project to install). Amazon has some good pricing on them.

Whichever you go with the most critical part is to keep the minimum recommended pressure to avoid pinch punctures or damages.

I won't really try to convince anyone of what to get, it makes no difference to me. I can only say what I know from experience . I have run both Airlift, and Firestone. Is it fair to discredit one over the other. I can't . The firestone I never cared for the offset brackets on my previous truck a ford superduty, but I never had an issue towing a 13K fifth wheel. Whatever concerns there might have been with Airlift in the past I have no idea, I never do reviews, its always good, and bad. As far as the brackets or offset on the Airlift being an issue I have no clue . The setup for the Ram 3500 SRW is heavy duty . There is probably close to an inch offset, but not enough to cause concern, especially considering the thickness of the brackets. Just my .02. IMO pick your brand. Good luck to the OP on his decision .

 

[dcs1968]

Here's the warranty for Pacbrake -> http://pacbrake.com/wp-content/uploads/L5753.pdf

Here's a couple of sources offering an alternative view on Airlift. It's a little dated, but who knows if things have changed: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/238390-Firestone-vs-Pacbrake-airbags); some reviewer on amazon also expressed concerns of the quality of the hardware: http://amzn.com/B00B32DISA

On the other hand I couldn't find any recurring complain about Pacbrake so when comes time that's what I'll go with: I'm in the market for a 5th wheel toy hauler so perhaps I'll ivest in some (seems like an easy and fun project to install). Amazon has some good pricing on them.

Whichever you go with the most critical part is to keep the minimum recommended pressure to avoid pinch punctures or damages.

Thank you for the info. I couldn't find this info.

 

[dcs1968]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I will post back once I pull the trigger and make a decision.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I had the PacBrake complete kit with in cab controls, 2.5G tank, air horns and air chuck under the hood. I liked it a lot! Easy install.

 

[dcs1968]

Well I went ahead and ordered the Airlift 5000 Ultimate set for my truck. They are due to arrive Tuesday. We leave Memorial day weekend for a 15 day 1700 mile trip starting in SoCal to Valley of Fire in Nevada, then on to Zion, Bryce canyon, Moab. From there Grand Canyon then Sedona and back to SoCal. By the end of this trip I should have a pretty good idea how I like the bags. I am pulling a 28' Shockwave toy hauler but without any toys. There will be some dry camping involved so at times I will be traveling with full water tanks and gasoline in the fuel station for the gen set.

I want to thank everyone for their input on this and I will post the results once I return.

 

[Cummins2014]

Well I went ahead and ordered the Airlift 5000 Ultimate set for my truck. They are due to arrive Tuesday. We leave Memorial day weekend for a 15 day 1700 mile trip starting in SoCal to Valley of Fire in Nevada, then on to Zion, Bryce canyon, Moab. From there Grand Canyon then Sedona and back to SoCal. By the end of this trip I should have a pretty good idea how I like the bags. I am pulling a 28' Shockwave toy hauler but without any toys. There will be some dry camping involved so at times I will be traveling with full water tanks and gasoline in the fuel station for the gen set.

I want to thank everyone for their input on this and I will post the results once I return.

IMO you made a good choice, you will always find someone that will ***** if they were hung with a new rope. If you are going with a compressor, that AirLift 72000 remote system is very nice, and no wires or gauges in the cab, just the remote control .


Enjoy your vacation, and especially Utah , and not being too biased considering I live in Utah, but the parks, and Moab are awesome.

 

[dcs1968]

We returned from our trip on Monday and I couldn't be happier with my trucks performance. I am happy with my choice in air springs and I feel that they made the truck have more stability when towing and there was no more rear end sqaut with my trailer hitched. Running unloaded with 10psi in the bags also made a big difference on poor road surfaces. It was a great bang for the buck modification. Next will be an on board compressor and air tank. Thank you everyone for your input.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I really like mine. They are Firestone.

 

[dcs1968]

I like yours too, they look factory! I bought my truck used so I had to add them. :-laf

I really like mine. They are Firestone.

View attachment 95915

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yes factory rear air ride system. WELL worth the $$$ !!!

 

[Cummins2014]

Yes factory rear air ride system. WELL worth the $$$ !!!

What advantage does this OEM air system have over an aftermarket system . Lot more money for the OEM ,and a system that you really don't have much control over.

 

[Cummins12V98]

What advantage does this OEM air system have over an aftermarket system . Lot more money for the OEM ,and a system that you really don't have much control over.

If you want a QUALITY aftermarket system it will cost you some serious $$$. I had one on my 11 HO Dually. If I had paid to have it installed I would have spent the $1,355 the factory system costs easily. No a simple air chuck at the license plate does not compare in any way.

Advantages? There is a much longer warranty, there is regular ride and alt ride height, both are lower stance running solo than the regular sprung trucks. In Alt ride the truck sits the same with or without a load. The ride is improved solo and loaded.

Alt ride solo in first pic. Max rear axle load of 9,750# on rear tires second pic.

Worth EVERY penny!