Well, got the new truck out camping this weekend and what a pleasue it is to drive with the trailer! Not having to chase it all over the road, and so much more comfortable than the Dodge. Pulled itself and the trailer up a 2 mile 18% grade, in 3rd gear, with a big smile on my face, grossing around 16,000.

But, about 10 miles away from the house on the way home, the info center said "Brake Fault", and lit the traction, ABS, and brake lights. Eased off the road and got it home. Had also noted a clicking in the LF wheel area earler. Guess it needs a trip to the dealer. Not crazy about that with 930 miles on it..........

My last thought, is on airbags. I've never installed them on any of my prior trucks, but with the pin weight and all the stuff in the truck, coupled with a minimal factory rake on the dually, I'd like to get it leveled out when loaded. What's everybody using, what are your likes/ dislikes on your setup?

 

I had the Firestone bags on my 2006 and they worked just fine. I ran them pretty soft most of the time and pumped them up when I hooked up to heavier trailers.

 

I have firestone ride rites on mine with the in cab controls and love them. I also haul about 16k and keep the bags at 60 psi

 

I have had firestones on my last 5 trucks and have never had a problem with them. Like Painted Horse, when I am not hauling a heavy load I don't pump them up much (between 5 and 10 pounds). I air them up to about 25-30 pounds when I am towing my 5th wheel camper which puts about 3,500 pounds of weight on the rear of the truck. That is enough air pressure to keep things pretty level and still have a good ride.

 

Firestone ride rights with the AirLift wireless compressor. Set-up will be on every truck I own moving forward.

 

Since I'm new to this, does keeping a minimum PSI in the bags hurt the unladen ride quality? Compared to the old Dodge this thing rides great empty for what it is, and I'd hate to take that away. Anyone have thoughts on the air-lift bags? I find myself looking at the 5000 ultimates, for the ability of being able to run them at zero, so they should be unnoticable empty. Or am I overthinking this?

 

I run mine at 5psi empty and it improved the ride. You don't want run them empty or you can damage them.

 

Put a set of 5000 ultimate air lift bags on my brother in laws Chevy ( in laws) and seemed well thought out, good directions, and of good quality. Air lifts early kits were a pain in the **** to install for our trucks but have been redesigned since and are much easier to install now, but I have not installed any fire stone kits so I can't speak for who's easier.

 

I really like my truck and I love to drive it. It does very well in the mountains towing. But the fuel capacity and the ride while towing sucks. I do enough towing on our stellar New Mexico highways that I am going to get airbags before the fuel tank.

 

Still trying to decide what way to go on the bags. I've pretty much made my mind up that I'm going to install them. Just down to details on what brand, and control system. And if the following issue gets resolved, or I have to bring up the "lemon" thing.

The dealer pulled a code for LR VSS out of the truck, but since it won't set for them, they have decided to not do anything about it. They've had it for 2 days and I guess I'll go get it tomorrow, since I need it for the weekend. They say they called the techline and Ford is trying to blame it on the trailer???????????? Really??????????? Apparently Ford even told them it may be "normal" with the trailer for that to happen. They must think I'm stupid--the trailer causing a left rear vehicle speed sensor fault? I wasn't born yesterday. I'm now dealing with the service manager, and did tell him that if Ford calls this normal, we are going to have a major problem on our hands. I'm a heavy equipment mechanic, and while I know firsthand how bad intermittant problems suck to diagnose, sometimes you have to try something.

 

In my experience, airbags hurt the unloaded ride on our 250 ccsb with 10k gvw drastically, even going down to 3 psi, it still was rougher than our new 350 with 11.5k gcw...

I'd look into more passive solutions IMHO....

good luck,

 

I've got the airlift bags and airlift wireless in cab controls. Very, very handy. Plus it takes the squat out when pulling the travel trailer. No more getting flashed from other drivers.
I leave them at about 5-6 when unloaded. Doesn't seem harsh to me, but I also have the rancho 9000's that I can set softer as well when not towing.