I am going to repost again on this issue under a new topic.

I have researched every forum that I can find on the Internet about airshocks, but can’t find the answer I am looking for. All of the discussions are on increasing load capacity. I don’t care about load capacity I have airbags to control that. I am only interested in comfort. The truck rides like the rear axle is connected directly to the frame when driving empty. My wife has an extremely bad back and I have to take her straight to the doctor every time I hit a dip or bump in the road. I put brand new sensa-trac shocks on the truck and it didn’t soften the ride. I took the shocks completely off and the truck rides pretty smooth, but I can’t drive it safely without shocks. So I know the shocks are part of the problem. I talked with a guy at the hardware store and he told me that air shocks ride much softer with very low air pressure in them. I don’t want to waste any money on airshocks if this is not true.

Can anybody confirm this?

 

An air shock will not change the ride at all...because it still uses a conventional shock internals for operation- the air only controls the height.

Shock Recommendations IMHO:

1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The Exel-G’s (formerly GR-2) are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit with the most comfortable ride....alot of the harsh ride may have to do with your tires...if they are steel belted (Bridgstones) they are typically a very stiff riding tire. A nylon belted tire will ride much softer (more forgiving) but will still be a good tire.

 

What psi are you running in the bags when there is no load? Just wanted to make sure it is only the minimum 5 psi. Anything more is just going to stiffen the ride even more. I'm assuming you are having the ride issues when loaded and when not loaded.

 

I always ran the five pounds as recommended by your company when empty. I have removed the air bags for the time being and the ride did improve some. I noticed that the bags are still stiff even at the five pounds and they become very soft when the Schrader Valve is removed. Mr. Gasket makes a miniature air cleaner that has a 3/8ths outlet that I considered buying and removing the Schrader Valves when running empty. I would run the air through the air filters to keep dirt from entering the air bags when they were breathing. I even thought about removing another spring and using the air bags to bring the load handling capabilities back up. Hopefully this would smooth the ride out even more. I am running the LoadLifter 5000 bags on the truck. The truck rides like a Cadillac when loaded. The problem is when running empty.

 

Thanks BEECHKID for a really good informative response. I have posted this question several times in different threads under several headings and this is the first time I have received an informative response. I get smart-aleck responses like “if you want it to ride like a car, get a car,” well I already have a car thank you, but it is very difficult to haul around a 7K fifth wheel with a car. Some of these people have several thousand posts and are listed as posting gurus. I have been on here a long time and have very few posts because I only reply to subjects that I am familiar with and have direct experience on. I don’t consider those types of people posting gurus, but I do consider you as one for giving me an informative response.

Now that I have that off of my chest, on to the question at hand. I am running load range E steel belt radials, so maybe that accounts to some of the stiffness. I hate to cut down on the tire to get the comfort, but may have to in able to continue using the truck. I took the air bags off and removed the shocks and it ran a lot smoother, so that is why I am considering trying to run a softer shock. I may try the Bilstein shocks that you listed. I have heard several people suggest them. I have considered trying to find a passenger car shock that would fit in hopes that they would ride softer. That was why the original question about the air shocks was asked.

I am also considering using an air ride seat on the passenger side. Anything that would stop that hard jolt when I hit a bump would help. That is a very expensive alternative, but may be my only answer if I can’t loosen up the suspension. Again thanks for your help.

 

Understood & Thank you!!! I don't think you will have to go to a passenger tire to get what you need...but its all in the price assessment, like you know, if the tires are about ready for replacement, then I would go that route 1st....BTW I am really a fan of Yokohamas....I just went to the YK520's which is a sport tire that has the same load rating in place of the BFG Trail T/A's on my Mark LT.....nicer ride & better handling, traction, etc.