So I was looking to put air bag suspension in my truck due to pulling alot. Its not to often over 7,000 lbs but almost always with longer trailers so alot of tongue weight empty, I have had enough weight on it to drop the truck 6 inches a few times which was closer to 9,000 lbs. hauling bales so you cant do much about the postion of the weight. I looked at helwig helper springs which wouldnt be bad except when your right at the point of them touching you get that hard thud. I guess airbags just seemed like the better choice to me. Have any of you used either airbags or helper springs? What do you think of them? If you wouldnt mind saying, how much did you pay?

Thanks much!

 

How far do you tow?
Your way overloaded at those weights for an F150..
The trailer should have the wheels closer to center for better balance but you have to work with what you have, for farm use.
You could consider a dolly wheel on the trailer tonge area to relieve the hitch weight.
Might be cheaper and solve the problem better.

 

It depends some times a mile and a half others its over 100.

Ya wheels closer to center would be ideal but like you said I have to work with what i got.

When you say dolley wheel what are you speaking of, I have seen some on campers but I would say them were way more than $250 like helper springs are.

Also I have D load range tires, 285's that are rated at , I think, 60 psi and let me tell you I dont have near the sway and bouncing that my uncles 09 f150 has ( we use that truck only once in awhile) even though his dont squat as much. And I am not sure but I think a 99 f150 I rated around 7500, of coarse if you did that everday youd want a 3/4 ton.

 

......At 100 miles even now and then, a dolly wheel would be the better investment in the long term.
......It would take the load off any tow vehichle you use and be safer on the longer trips..
.....Think you need to have a better understanding of towing weights and limits.
Here is how it goes;
A truck has two rateings.
1. The gross vehichle weight by it'self.
2. Gross Combined Weight rateing of both truck and trailer + total load.
.
....Your truck's GCWR rateing is in the area of 11,000 lbs +/- total for any combination depending on the motor and rear gear as well as tire rateings plus other items.
....As you can see from your weights, the trailer loaded weight is at times near 9000 lbs.
....What all this means is if your truck weighs in at say 6200 lbs plus 9000 lbs that = 15,200 lbs +/-.
....You can now understand why your tonge loads would set her down like it does.
....Clearly an indication of excessive overload.
....My opinion is, any use of load springs of any kind cannot make up for the excess weight without consequences on brakes, axle bearing, tires and safety over the longer term.
....At least the dolly wheel will take the load off any truck, but the truck must still pull and help stop the total gross combined weight for which i'm sure you have electric brakes on the trailer and a controller in the cab..
One other concern is the excess weight lifted off the front tires causes less traction for steering and brakeing especially on wet roads.
....As Fox news says, we report you decide.
Good luck.

 

Really? First of all my truck weights 4900 or so not 6200 this is a 99 not a 09. I know how tow ratings work and I know I am over them. I also realize its hard on the rest of the truck, but guess what I cant go out and buy a bigger truck like some people so overload springs or airbags are my only option to improve these conditions. Also ya airbags or helpers will help keep more weight on the front axle, thats the point, I am not a rookie tower, I know how it works. All I asked was, has any body used airbags or helper/overloads. I will continue to do this, doesnt mean i drive the speed limit and brake hard, no matter how much your pulling you ALWAYS have to take it easy. Not like some of this people doing 75 on the interstate with their 5th wheel camper.

 

Oh just for your sake I just looked everything up and my trucks rated at 8300lbs.

 

I'm sorry you took offense at the discussion.
I'm sure if you weigh your truck it will weigh more than what you think.
You gave no specs for engine and gear so I made it clear on 'approximation' so I would be clear on the example.
I do not offer blind advice and misslead on questions like you ask, knowing it's not a proper and legal way to get around an issue of severe overload.
At a condition like you have, the hitch weight is usually never more than 600 pounds for that size truck.
You must account for the fact that some of your loads weigh nealy 'twice' the weight of your truck. Not a good situation.
If you were to tow in my state, a police officer sees your tail dragging and the load
size attached you would not go one foot farther with it. It's a matter of protecting others on the road besides you.
If you were to investigate your state's law, it would give you quite an education that there is way more to towing than 9 out of 10 owners ever thought.
Most are lucky the police never know all the specs for each vehichle so rely on the registration weight, observation and weigh stations.

Good luck.

 

Thats fine i guess I should have gave you more details also. As far as police stopping you, it aint bad here alot of farming around and they realize that for the most part farmers are respectful and cautous drivers. For example when I was pulling them loads I may only drive 45 mph on the 2 lane roads/highways with a speed limit of 55 or 60, if people are behind you, pull over let them pass that way they aint taking chances with on coming traffic. I can assure you I take it easy, I am in no race to see how fast I can go when doing this. I understand your concern, I just got a little frustrated being you didnt know the whole seniario.

I also just learned I may be taking a out of state trip with about a 5,000 lbs load. So now I would really like to get something a little extra.

 

father in law use to have a lighter duty F150 a few years ago. Got helper springs on it and it keep the back end up when you put a heavier trailer on it. Also rode a little rougher when empty. I always though the bags would be good since you can add or subtract air pressure as needed.
--Bluegrass hit on it a little, that the hitch weight should be 5-600 pounds no matter what the trailer weight is. I have never used the tag wheel, but if you cant move the trailer wheels, it might be worth looking into the tire again.

 

I've installed air springs (bags) on many 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with amazing results. One example is a friends crewcab duelly I put bags on, he drives cross country every week or so hauling a 50' gooseneck. Before the bags the truck would squat as soon as the trailer was hooked up, and it would smash it down under braking. After the bags it doesn't squat at all under any condition. He says it made 1000x difference in driving and braking. I'm putting a set on my 2000 Harley F150 because I plan on towing my 76 F250 to the mudbog.