Will I need airbags?

[Cryppie]

Looking for input from those with a 2500 pulling heavy 5ers. My trailer will have about 2200lbs pin weight, but since I'm having it transported out of state (Oregon border, military stationed in San Diego) to avoid sales tax, I won't be hooking up to my new trailer until the last 260 miles of my journey. I did hook up to it yesterday just to see how much squat it had, and didn't seem that much, but also didn't have a tape with me (hindsight). I'm considering RideRites, to both level my load and soften the ride unloaded by removing the overloads. I'm not too worried about GCWR, which I am over (no flames please), but rather keeping my headlights pointed at the road instead of the birds.

 

[y-knot]

Need them? NO Want them? Maybe. Your truck will handle the weight, but the air bags do a very good job of leveling the truck. Take it one step further and remove the overloads while adding a good set of 5000lb air bags and not only will your truck be level while towing, it will ride much better empty.

 

[Cryppie]

Had a feeling you'd say that... did some pulling on historical posts in this subject. Thanks for the quick reply, I love this site! Also sounds like Firestone's are the preferred brand, but only because of brand familiarity.

 

[Wiredawg]

I don't know about 99s, but...

Take a look at your rear axle and see if there is a load sensing brake valve attached to the left rear of your axle. If it does and you install air bags, you need to lengthen the adjustment rod so you'll have stronger braking power.



You need to make it regular length when running w/out a load; it can be dangerous and cause you to sping out when it's wet.



I had a 2000 2500.



Wiredawg

 

[CLAYTON]

What kind of airbags would you guys recommend for a 03 2500? You can see in my readers rig how my back end sags with my 5th hooked on. I think it would have been just right if I didn't put on the leveling kit. Right now with the trailer on the truck sags about an inch lower then the front. Is the installation for the air bags tough or is it not to bad?

 

[Turbo Horseman]

Installation was a piece of cake... that's what I was eating while the Kal Tire guys were installing the firstone bags on my truck.

 

[Wiredawg]

Haven't done a 3d gen, but...

I haven't installed air bags on a 3d gen, but they come with great instructions. Usually gotta take off rear wheels, don't know if you have to drill frame for upper bracket or if they clamp on.



I'd check I-net for Hellwig and Firestone.



Wiredawg

 

[TowPro]

The pictures I see don't look like its squating. keep in mind that when loaded the truck will be level, not jacked up in the back like they are unloaded.

Originally posted by CLAYTON

What kind of airbags would you guys recommend for a 03 2500? You can see in my readers rig how my back end sags with my 5th hooked on. I think it would have been just right if I didn't put on the leveling kit. Right now with the trailer on the truck sags about an inch lower then the front. Is the installation for the air bags tough or is it not to bad?

 

[Big MAK]

I installed Firestone Ride-Rites on mine a couple weeks ago. The airbag install was easy; the compressor and gauge install was a major PIA. Not difficult; just tedious and time consuming. Had to get an extra 20' of air brake tubing to route everything where I wanted it. I have the compressor mounted in my toolbox and the gauge in that little pocket in the lower middle of the console. Running all those tubes thru the dash was difficult; stiff and unwieldly. It works great though. As it turned out I don't really need them for the load but they definitely help with the handling. Very little deflection from bumps or wind under load. Less rocking; etc. I think it will be even better when I upgrade the shocks.

 

[CLAYTON]

Originally posted by TowPro

The pictures I see don't look like its squating. keep in mind that when loaded the truck will be level, not jacked up in the back like they are unloaded.

The truck sites level without the trailer hooked up. . with it on it sags in the back. . I want to be able to pump up the airbags with the trailer on so it doesn't sag. Looks like I will be doing the install my self.



BIG MAK



It shouldn't be a problem to add the compressor later on will it?

How long did it take you to put the bags on?

The firestone system doesn't require any drilling right?

 

[Big MAK]

Right; no drilling. I didn't even have to remove the wheels or take anything apart -- they simply bolt up where the bump stops are now (you remove the bump stops). I think adding the compressor later would be no problem at all. It took less then 2 hours to put the airbags on. I could probably install them in about 30-40 minutes now that I've installed a set. I'll get some pictures posted this weekend.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Go one better than that. Install the Kelderman air springs on the rear. Then ride level all the time. My kingpin weight is 2700 lbs and when I load in on, the bags air up and I'm level in about 8 secs. I'll never go back.



. . Preston. .

 

[CLAYTON]

Originally posted by Big MAK

Right; no drilling. I didn't even have to remove the wheels or take anything apart -- they simply bolt up where the bump stops are now (you remove the bump stops). I think adding the compressor later would be no problem at all. It took less then 2 hours to put the airbags on. I could probably install them in about 30-40 minutes now that I've installed a set. I'll get some pictures posted this weekend.

Thanks BIG MAK

 

[Big MAK]

Finally got pics posted. See readers rigs.

 

[ddesau]

Air Bags

I just put Ride rite air bags on my 2500 - for the camper- haven't tired them yet -but I can alreadu feel a difference. If you need them installed - get them thru Les Schwab's - as they will be warranted for life thru Schwab's. .

 

[plntmgr]

I used the Air Lift from camping World on my 98. 5 2500 and were well worth the investment. Since, I've purchased an '03 3500 and they are not needed. They do not leak and are for sale. plntmgr@netzero.net in your interested. Don

 

[Fastang]

YOu can get the airbags without a compressor and fill them as needed right??? You just lose the self leveling???

 

[ddesau]

air bags

Originally posted by Fastang

YOu can get the airbags without a compressor and fill them as needed right??? You just lose the self leveling???

You don't need the compressor !

 

[CPG]

I entirely agree with Plntmgr & Fastang about the air bags. The overload springs are a thing from the past. I have had 3 Dodge trucks and currently have just ordered a new 04 model. The Air Rides and the Firestones are much the same in design. I happen to have the Air Rides which do an excellant job of leveling my truck and Alpenlite 5th wheel trailer. In the past I have had overload springs on my two former trucks which resulted in lifting on and off the stops resulting in noise to maintain the ride that the Air bags do with better control. My local frame shop in my area advocated air bags to be the simple and practical way to go for all hauling weights. Whether you manual fill them to your ride specs. or have an inboard compressor, I think you will be happy with their efficiency. They are just hard to beat with the correct matching shock absorbers. Just my opinion here.



Chuck Goode

 

[Prairie Dog]

Another nice thing about air bags is you can level the trailer with them when parking and leaving the truck connected. Hey, you never know when you'll have to make a quick getaway!