What is the best air bag (to support large load)?

[BC]

Need help from the brain trust. I want to add an air bag under the frame for added support when towing. I tow heavy and fairly often.



Questions:



1. Is there a best one?



2. How hard are they to install?



3. Do they make that much of a difference? When I tow my trailers are between 12k and 14. 5k.



4. Best place to buy one and about how much is it?



As always thanks to all those in the know who take the time to help a "I don't know so much" like me.



Bill Cook

 

[lhend50]

air bags

I am using Super Air Lift air bags. They are rated at 5000lbs and took about an hr to install, very easy. They make a great deal of difference. I put them in to keep my truck level when towing my 5th wheel. It weighs 13000lbs. They work great. I have had 3000 lbs of stone in the bed and the truck was perfectly level. I run with about 10lbs when empty. I found the best price to be at Camping World, with presidents club discount and other frequent discounts they were under 200.

 

[ScooterH]

Firestones

I have the Firestones. "bag of choice in almost all semi's". Best price I'v found is from Summit Racing, about $210, which is a little more than Air Lift.

 

[LEEH]

I have had the firestone airbags for three or four years and have been very happy with them. Made quite a difference in the feel of towing the 5er as I was able to bring the pickups bed back to the near level condition with the 5er hook-up. Not hard to install.



I highly recommend that you get the air pump with cab pressure guage and pump controls to go along with your airbag install. I think you will find that you will be changing the pressure in the airbags quite often and not having the airbag pump and in-cab controls will be a pain- in-the-posterior.

 

[paccool]

Have had both. Both did a good job, no problems.



Not hard to install, takes a couple of hours.



Best place to buy? Depends on how hard you beat on the supplier. Camping World is ususally competitive with their pricing.



I agree about the airpump installation. I DONT have and there is many times I wish I did!



Stan

 

[RobG]

I got my Firestones from Rickson Truck. They seemed to have the best prices that I found last year when I got 'em.



I have the compressor and in-cab control too. The in-cab control is great, except that mine leaks... I can't get the hose that goes to the control to stop leaking on the right side for the life of me.



I tried to get Rickson to help me get it replaced under warranty, and they grumbled a little and then stopped answering my emails about it.



So I've marked Rickson off my list of vendors that I'll do business with.



Rob

 

[BC]

Thanks for the info. I'll start checking on which to buy.





Bill Cook