Air bags
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 2
From: Elk City, OK
Air bags
Has anyone put helper bags on their truck? I will be towing often with my F350 soon and I would like to have a little more control of the ride height and help smooth the ride a little when towing. Are they worth it? What company did you use and are you satisfied with them?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 16
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I've had air ride installed to help with the front coils on my 88 (for the snow plow) and helpers on the rear. Very nice system. Don't even need a compressor, you can air up at any gas station when you need the extra capacity.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
I had Firestone Ride-Rites on my '95 F-150 "3/4 ton". I used it when I (over)loaded it with a slide-in camper. Worked great. Rode like a half-ton (which it was) empty, but didn't wallow too bad or bottom out at all (over)loaded.
I would NOT recommend anyone else do what I did and use air bags to drive overloaded. But they do help a truck handle a bigger load better.
If you do this, do not plumb the bags together. You want the air systems separate. It means you need to fill up both bags separately, but otherwise air can move from one side to the other so the air bags won't help reduce sway.
And I agree with Puddy, you don't need on-board air to make them helpful. Filling them at home or at a filling station works well (but on-board air is a nice convenience).
I would NOT recommend anyone else do what I did and use air bags to drive overloaded. But they do help a truck handle a bigger load better.
If you do this, do not plumb the bags together. You want the air systems separate. It means you need to fill up both bags separately, but otherwise air can move from one side to the other so the air bags won't help reduce sway.
And I agree with Puddy, you don't need on-board air to make them helpful. Filling them at home or at a filling station works well (but on-board air is a nice convenience).
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
We sell front and rear kits for a ton of applications. Let me know your year, make, model, and if it's 4WD or not, and I can get some part numbers for you. We also have a rebate going on now!
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
I have a set of airlifts on my dually. I put them in when it was still a SRW and the wimpy 4 leaf springs. AMAZING what they do. Then don't let the rear sag as much which doesn't take the weigh of the front, which give you more control.
When I first put them in I just manually filled them(had filler hoes run to rear bumper and they were my license plate attachment bolts)
Then I put in the wireless compressor unit. Now with a couch of a button, I can go from 5 psi to 100
When I first put them in I just manually filled them(had filler hoes run to rear bumper and they were my license plate attachment bolts)
Then I put in the wireless compressor unit. Now with a couch of a button, I can go from 5 psi to 100
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
I don't remember the brand, but I installed a set on my previous boss' 05 superduty, and it required me to remove the factory overload spring. Then it had so little travel that it limited travel it seemed.
I wasn't happy with the limited range of motion they had. As well as removing the overloads.
I wasn't happy with the limited range of motion they had. As well as removing the overloads.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Novicebutlearnin
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
17
Aug 27, 2012 12:25 PM
