Decreasing Rear Sagging
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New User
Joined: Aug 2010
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Decreasing Rear Sagging
I am hauling a 5er weighing in at 14k. Of course we all know the rear sagging on the 2011 250's are built with weaker springs. So I have been doing some shopping, with little time I have due, to needing to move across country. I am wondering if you guys would choose "Sumo" bump stops, (more advanced and longer than the Timbren) or putting on some Helwig helper springs.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Agree with senix, airbag system is awesome. Very versatile and well but, also a pretty easy install.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: Rogue River, Oregon
+2 on the bags. I had a dropped 2WD GMC that sat very low, yet rode better than stock and hauled more than stock, all due to the air bags. I didn't have anything special, just a pair of Firstone bags and a small compressor, no tank. The gauge and controller were replaced the ash tray, so you just opened the ash tray, added air or let it out and let it go. Whole thing cost under $400.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Pocatello, Idaho
Agree on the air bags. But I don't need the extra compressor and air tank. I don't tow enough to justify the added cost. I have my air valves through my rear lic. plate. I usually use a 12v compessor, or I have a 10 gallon air tank. This set up works fine for me. Besides I only have $35 in my air bags(yard sale find).
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
One more vote for air bags. I added them to my 10,000 lb flatbed and they improved the ride even on empty truck.
The on-board compressor is overkill. There is no good place on the truck to mount the compressor and than you should have a tank.
My bags hold the air for months, so I installed the valves with gauges in my cabin, keeping the compressor in my tool box. Whenever I have big load and need to add air, it takes just seconds, while compressor is great for pumping my trailer tires.
The on-board compressor is overkill. There is no good place on the truck to mount the compressor and than you should have a tank.
My bags hold the air for months, so I installed the valves with gauges in my cabin, keeping the compressor in my tool box. Whenever I have big load and need to add air, it takes just seconds, while compressor is great for pumping my trailer tires.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
+2 on the bags. I had a dropped 2WD GMC that sat very low, yet rode better than stock and hauled more than stock, all due to the air bags. I didn't have anything special, just a pair of Firstone bags and a small compressor, no tank. The gauge and controller were replaced the ash tray, so you just opened the ash tray, added air or let it out and let it go. Whole thing cost under $400.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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I have your same problem on my f250, I've just ordered 4" blocks for the rear with U bolts from ready lift, Which are the same as f350 blocks for an added 2" lift in the rear. To go with that im installing a set of timbren's as well.
Alot of people like the air bags, I used to work at an RV dealership as a tech and too many times i've seen trucks come in with leaking fittings, junk compressors made in china, cracked lines, etc., Not saying there arent good ones out there, personally i'm keeping it simple with the blocks and timbrens. Good luck on your choice!
Alot of people like the air bags, I used to work at an RV dealership as a tech and too many times i've seen trucks come in with leaking fittings, junk compressors made in china, cracked lines, etc., Not saying there arent good ones out there, personally i'm keeping it simple with the blocks and timbrens. Good luck on your choice!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: Rogue River, Oregon
I detest smoking and bought the truck new, therefore I wanted it look new as long as possible. As for those that think a tiny compressor is overkill, they've apparently never even seen one. They are about the size of a 20 oz soda. If that's too much for your truck or your mechanical creativity to mount, feel free to drag a big-assed air tank around in the bed of your truck to add when you need to. Or you could always find a station when you need one, after all, nothing like trying to find one that works for the low price of 75 cents. Or you could just drive around with 100 lbs of air in the bags all the time. I prefer the convenience myself, but that's just me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
Another vote for the air bags. Originally bought them for my '00 f350, took them off the '00 and installed them on my '06 350 PSD dually. Took them off the '06 and installed them on my '08 F350. So I have had the same set up on 3 trucks for about 8 years, no problems. It is a Air Lift system.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I have your same problem on my f250, I've just ordered 4" blocks for the rear with U bolts from ready lift, Which are the same as f350 blocks for an added 2" lift in the rear. To go with that im installing a set of timbren's as well.
Alot of people like the air bags, I used to work at an RV dealership as a tech and too many times i've seen trucks come in with leaking fittings, junk compressors made in china, cracked lines, etc., Not saying there arent good ones out there, personally i'm keeping it simple with the blocks and timbrens. Good luck on your choice!
Alot of people like the air bags, I used to work at an RV dealership as a tech and too many times i've seen trucks come in with leaking fittings, junk compressors made in china, cracked lines, etc., Not saying there arent good ones out there, personally i'm keeping it simple with the blocks and timbrens. Good luck on your choice!
When it comes to average RV, flat tire takes big chunk of body panels averaging $3000 in repairs. I am not even talking about some designs with propane tubings running on wheel wells.
Hardly any comparison to SuperDuty and Firestone air bags or Firestone compressor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,648
Likes: 1
From: CT
My truck is a working truck with a daily weight of 12,000 lbs.
The Firestone bags have been in from day one ( 5 years ) and pumped up to 100psi.
I have never had any problems with them.
I just keep them filled with my compressor.
The Firestone bags have been in from day one ( 5 years ) and pumped up to 100psi.
I have never had any problems with them.
I just keep them filled with my compressor.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
That experience tells about RV build quality, not about HD air helper bags.
When it comes to average RV, flat tire takes big chunk of body panels averaging $3000 in repairs. I am not even talking about some designs with propane tubings running on wheel wells.
Hardly any comparison to SuperDuty and Firestone air bags or Firestone compressor.
When it comes to average RV, flat tire takes big chunk of body panels averaging $3000 in repairs. I am not even talking about some designs with propane tubings running on wheel wells.
Hardly any comparison to SuperDuty and Firestone air bags or Firestone compressor.