Air Bags On Truck?

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  • 07/14/2019 at 7:14 pm#30792
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    Keymaster
        Traveler
        How many of you are using some type of air bags on your truck? I have them now, but the new truck we are now looking at has 20” tires and is higher than our present truck. I’m thinking that if I don’t use air bags that the pin weight will level the truck out so the trailer is riding level.

        We now are looking at a 2013 Ford 350 King Ranch with a long box. If this one doesn’t work out we are going to just order a 2014 when they are available.

        Thanks

        Posted: 12:44 PM – Jun 05, 2013
        JohnD222
        The short answer is that if rear end sag happens, your headlights end up in the trees and you take weight off the front end altering its toe-in alignment. See if you can take the blocks out from between the axles and the springs. Avoid the off road models as they are even higher.

        If your truck bed is high, you will need to lower the pin box and/or raise your hitch. Hitches usually go up/down in 1.5 inch increments; the pin in 2 inch increments.

        You need to be certain that you have 5-7 inches of clearance between the pickup’s bed side rails and the overhang of the 5er.

        You can move the axle shackle to the “4×4” setting, that will raise the 5er about 1.5 inch.

        You may need to flip the 5er’s axles to below the spring in order for this to work. This raises the 5er about 3 inches.

        Posted: 2:02 PM – Jun 05, 2013
        falconhunter
        I had air bags on my 3500 Dodge so I could get the ride height correct on the truck. My pin weight on our 2011 Carri-lite 36Max1 is 3800 lbs and would put the rear of the 3500 a little too low but 65 lbs of air corrected that. My 4500 Dodge handles the weight just fine without bags.
        Posted: 3:27 PM – Jun 05, 2013
        JohnD222
        Traveler, see that you are looking at a Ford single rear wheel (SRW). A dually is probably a lot of overkill for a 34 footer, unless the pin approaches 3000 loaded. There was a big difference between dually Ford 350’s and 450’s pickups in earlier model years, but a 450 from 2011 on is a 350 with the old “tow boss” front axle that greatly reduces turning radius (this is a good thing) -payload is almost identical. Mileage unloaded suffers on the 450 because of the 4.10’s versus 3.73’s. SRW will be way better empty.

        one model SRW has a really small fuel tank – I think short bed crew.

        There are many Ford forums out there that have lots of info about towing.
        http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum205/

        http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f149/
        etc

        Posted: 7:34 PM – Jun 05, 2013
        A&J’s Carrilite
        My Dodge has airbags on it. Its more to just level the rig than anything.
        Posted: 12:15 AM – Jun 06, 2013
        Jpcovert1
        I added air after the first long day ten years ago. The sun set, we were approaching the 45 parallel heading to Yellowstone. Our best view was of trees plus every car coming at us was signaling for us to kill the brights. Installed Girestone air bags with an on board compressor. Keeps everything nice and level.
        Posted: 4:23 AM – Jun 06, 2013
        Donr827
        Wait till you get the new truck and hook up the trailer. You can then see if you need the air bags to bring you back to level. I have a 08 F350 SRW and the pen weight on my trailer is around 2,300 pounds. I need to add 26 pounds to the air bags to bring me level.
        Don
        Posted: 11:47 AM – Jun 06, 2013
        vegascpl
        I have a 2012 F-250 Super duty King Ranch short bed, tow a 2009 Cameo 35SB3 I added the Air Lift bags not because I wanted to , because the truck needed the bags to make it be level when towing. I have pulled the 5er almost 20,000 miles on a lot of very step grades, had a 2002 F-250 7.3 before, I have to say this is the best truck I have ever owned. I don’t believe there isn’t any place I am afraid to take the Cameo.
        Posted: 4:26 PM – Jun 06, 2013
        rvinsant
        A&J’s Carrilite wrote:My Dodge has airbags on it. Its more to just level the rig than anything.

        X2 :)

        Posted: 7:41 AM – Jun 07, 2013
        NHCelt
        I looked at airbags and Timbrens….and went with the Timbrens, basically for ease of install and simplicity. I do not regret that decision. Big difference in towing my 32FWS. Also added Bilstein shocks.

        I can highly recommend the Timbrens.

        Posted: 4:18 PM – Jun 07, 2013
        Jere&Laur
        I have air bags and Bilsteins. Air bags more to level and ride smoother. Shocks keep it stable.
        Posted: 10:07 AM – Jun 08, 2013
        Monty
        Airbags to level (45-50 psi) with Rancho XL9000 shocks, Helwig Sway bar, and 19.5 wheels/tires. I’m pretty comfortable towing the 35SB3 with 08 F250. Pin is about 2,500 – 2,700 lbs as it varies some.
        Posted: 5:50 PM – Jun 08, 2013
        Pilgrim
        I have a 2012 F250 and I put airbags on to level out the ride. I went with a 250 for a smoother ride when running empty. I run empty with about 5lbs and pulling the Cameo about 30lbs. I have an on board compressor so it is easy to ad or let out air. Works great for me. I just wish they were a factory option.

        Pilgrim

        Posted: 7:29 AM – Jun 09, 2013
        lillyputz
        I have air bags, but also have the front level kit installed and head lights re-ajusted. the truck sets level with out hooked up and then use the air bags to level out the rear when hooked up as needed. looks and works great.

        Lillyputz

        B.W.Gentry
        Owner/Admin
        2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
        Breckenridge, TX

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