Rear Suspension For Towing Heavy...Supersprings/Airbags...

[mconstable]

Hey guys... need advice on best setup for towing a heavy fifth-wheel.

We sold our toyhauler last year and got a Teton... it's quite a bit heavier than the Warrior we had, and the tongue weight is a "bit" more lol.

I've got Timbrens, they work OK, but the unloaded ride is harsh on washboard roads, the 10 in CA etc.

We travel full-time with our job, so the truck is also our daily driver.

Basically looking for advice on Pacbrake airbags, Supersprings etc.

Thanks!

 

[AClayton]

I installed the Pac-Brake bags on mine a couple of years ago. Geno's is the cheapest place I've seen to purchase them. I tried the bags with the manual fill 1st... . thinking I could live without the convenience of in-cab filling and upgraded shortly afterwards. No problems to date and can say w/confidence that they do NOT alter ride performance unloaded. Add air for your load or trailer and just drive... . it's great!!!



Alan

 

[Garlic]

I have been running Ride-Rite's for many years with out any problems. Last weekend I relocated a 39' NewMar 5'er (It's got 8 tires on the ground) to southern CO from Alb. , NM (About 250 miles) I figure the unit weighs 18K and some where around 2K pin weight. The 07. 5 was level and rode fantastic up and over the passes to get there. The 07. 5 has a auto level valve so it is hands off, there is no difference in the unloaded ride from before the bags were installed.

 

[mconstable]

Bags it is... thanks guys.

I did my own installation on my timbrens, exhaust, airbox etc. is should I be able to do the bags myself?

 

[Garlic]

The ones on my 07. 5 took be 30 minutes to install by myself in the driveway with basic hand tools and a cordless drill, some of the kits require no drilling. Now the air system took a few weeks to get the placement of the compressor and air tanks right. The auto level valve needed a custom bracket to get the height in the right spot.

 

[SSage]

Air Bags all the way. They will keep you level, I have the firestone 5K's.

 

[bheiting]

The PacBrakes are well engineered. Please remember that bags don't increase
your load capacity.

 

[AABEN]

Firestone JcWhitney 200. 99 up to 329. 99 air compressor kit 242. 99 or the heavy duty 489. 99 1-800-865-4227

 

[Carlacee]

what's an "Icebox"... ??

 

[mconstable]

what's an "Icebox"... ??

Diesel Cold Air Intake Dodge Cummins Cold Air Intake Cold Air Intake For Diesel Trucks Diesel Truck Cold Air Intake Dodge Cold Air Intake

 

[CUMMINZ]

On my long gone 2004. 5 2500 I had a shop fabricate special ful length springs for the rear. They installed two springs as #3 and #5 spring to give the factory springs more support. No Timbrin or super spring or airbag can do as good a job for carrying a load as this method. Timbrens and airbags do nothing to return a spring back to factory setting when a spring has fully gone either way. Both mentioned above only push upward. Springs in the main pack push and pull and help greatly with sway. They are double the cost but double the fun.



#ad

 

[mconstable]

Thanks for the advice Cumminz... any clue what they cost when you had them made?

Thanks!

 

[CUMMINZ]

In the neighborhood of $500. 00. But a much better investment than Timbrens or bags. Although they do their job but with more sway.

 

[mconstable]

Thanks Cumminz!

 

[Regcabguy]

On my long gone 2004. 5 2500 I had a shop fabricate special ful length springs for the rear. They installed two springs as #3 and #5 spring to give the factory springs more support. No Timbrin or super spring or airbag can do as good a job for carrying a load as this method. Timbrens and airbags do nothing to return a spring back to factory setting when a spring has fully gone either way. Both mentioned above only push upward. Springs in the main pack push and pull and help greatly with sway. They are double the cost but double the fun.



#ad

How is the ride unladen? I'm using Carli's long travels with my camper and Lorenz system. Nice compromise.

 

[SSage]

Air bags can be deflated. Adding springs like that has to make the axle bounce when unloaded right?



I don't pull all the time and my loads change since I pull trailers that vary in weight. The air bags have been doing very well for the last 4 years, I put over 4,000 pounds of pin weight on them using about 75 pounds of air. I run it about an inch and half from level, I like a bit of rear squat, seems to get better traction in the rain when pulling my 20K toy hauler. I added the air bags when I got the big goose neck toy hauler.

 

[AABEN]

If you go with air bags you can adjest the ride!! When not towing you can let the air down so you can get a good ride. Air up for heavy loads.

 

[SBeretz]

Air bags rock. I bought mine before the Pac Brake bags were available and purchased the Firestone Rides Rite's. I love mine. I can level my truck with any load and then just let the air out when not loaded. My truck rides excellent with the bags, and with the hoses ran to the rear of the truck, they are easily adjustable. Those would be the first things I would add on any truck. I like the idea of adjusting in the cab, but for ease of use and less maintenance, I keep them ran simply to the rear. More springs would have been sufficient but who wants to get beat up more on a daily drive. No reason to make the trucks ride like a Ford. HA. Just kidding. Scotty

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here is a good thread on Aux. Rear Springs.

I would consider all the alternatives before making a decision and giving up your factory ride.

 

[tempforce]

i have the kederman air ride system that attaches to the rear of the leaf springs. very nice ride loaded or empty. i do get a small amount of rear end shifting. about a 1/4" total travel. if i was to do it again. i would go for a complete rear air bag suspension. as that would entail fewer components.

yes, i'm sold on air suspensions.

my next truck will have, all four corners bagged.