Air Suspension System
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Air Suspension System
Thinking of adding an air suspension system to my 2014 F350 PSD dually. Will be pulling a Montana 5th wheel.
I've been searching the internet and forum, and there seems to be several options available. So have a few questions.
A. Will I need the air suspension system or will the F350 handle the 5th wheel without it.
B. Some systems have a compressor with them and some don't Would prefer one with a compressor that could also be used to air tires if needed. Is there such a beast out there?
C. What are the preferred brands being used? (Don't start a mine is better than yours thread.)
D. Anything else I should consider when looking at the different air suspension systems?
Thanks,
Tom
I've been searching the internet and forum, and there seems to be several options available. So have a few questions.
A. Will I need the air suspension system or will the F350 handle the 5th wheel without it.
B. Some systems have a compressor with them and some don't Would prefer one with a compressor that could also be used to air tires if needed. Is there such a beast out there?
C. What are the preferred brands being used? (Don't start a mine is better than yours thread.)
D. Anything else I should consider when looking at the different air suspension systems?
Thanks,
Tom
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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I pull Montana's all the time with my SRW truck and have no issues, so no reason why a dually shouldn't be able to handle it with the stock suspension.
As to the air springs, lots of systems out there, with and without a compressor.
As to the air springs, lots of systems out there, with and without a compressor.
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I am on my second Montana and we live/travel in it full time. My tongue weight went up a little on this one to about 3300 pounds. My 2012 F350 SRW probably would be fine but I like to level my truck out for several reasons when hooked up. If I need my headlights I want them to be adjusted correctly and I feel it is better for my drive train to pull heavy loads when my truck is more level. I went with Firestone bags and an onboard compressor.
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Junior User
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I am on my second Montana and we live/travel in it full time. My tongue weight went up a little on this one to about 3300 pounds. My 2012 F350 SRW probably would be fine but I like to level my truck out for several reasons when hooked up. If I need my headlights I want them to be adjusted correctly and I feel it is better for my drive train to pull heavy loads when my truck is more level. I went with Firestone bags and an onboard compressor.
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With 10-15 pounds in the bags it probably goes down about 3 inches when I initially hook up. Then I hit the switch and put about 50 pounds in and it brings it back level. Don't know if you belong to the Montana Owners Forum (MOC) or not, but the bag issue has been discussed on there. Also, there are hundreds of Montana owners on the forum who pull their rigs with DRW trucks.
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With 10-15 pounds in the bags it probably goes down about 3 inches when I initially hook up. Then I hit the switch and put about 50 pounds in and it brings it back level. Don't know if you belong to the Montana Owners Forum (MOC) or not, but the bag issue has been discussed on there. Also, there are hundreds of Montana owners on the forum who pull their rigs with DRW trucks.
Tom
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Greenwood, SC
I've used the firestone air springs since 2007 with zero issues. I also installed a VIAIR #10007 air system which feeds my air bags and gives me usable air for tires and horns. I've used it regularly since 2010 with zero issues. Highly recommend.
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I also have the Firestones and they have been great. On-board air compressor, aux air tank so i can air tires or run air tools(changing tires with a nice impact gun is very nice). If you set it up correctly you wont have to pack an air compressor and save room for those long trips.
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Junior User
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Thanks. Where did you mount the VIAIR compressor/tank?
Post Fiend
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I needed, no I wanted, bags for my 350 srw, so got airlift and their wirelessONE compressor setup...
but my pin wgt is HIGH... what is yours...
I'm thinking though, with a drw, you probably don't need bags, but that can be told once you hookup the first time...
measure all 4 wheel arch heights before hooking up,
drop that puppy on there,
and see what the impact is by measuring all 4 wheel arches again...
but my pin wgt is HIGH... what is yours...
I'm thinking though, with a drw, you probably don't need bags, but that can be told once you hookup the first time...
measure all 4 wheel arch heights before hooking up,
drop that puppy on there,
and see what the impact is by measuring all 4 wheel arches again...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southeast PA
I have bags on my 13 dually. Trailer pin is 23-2400. Once firewood was added in the bed, along with the trailer pin weight, and any other stuff I could jam in there, it was sitting nose up, and rode like hell. I did the airlift bags, and it can be leveled out and rides much more pleasant now with the trailer. If I were to do it again, I think I'd go with the firestone bags, their axle brackets have far fewer pieces and look much easier to install. I have the Airlift wirelessAIR sitting in the box still. I ordered it right before it got cold here and haven't been real motivated to install it yet..............
Lead Driver
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My F250 SRW with a 37' Montana, trailer weighs 13,200 dry, 16,000 GVW, pull them all the time from Indiana to Texas, no problem at all. Rides great, and actually does pretty good on fuel considering how big it is.
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From: Michigan
We offer two airbag kits for your truck: our standard 57396 LoadLifter-5000 Kit as well as our new 88396 LoadLifter-5000 ULTIMATE Kit.
Both of these kits have this note: "Fits single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) models. Will fit ALL models without a fifth-wheel hitch and will also fit most side mount fifth wheel hitch applications."
You may want to briefly look through the installation instructions and compare it to your truck to make sure nothing is in the way of where the brackets mount. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Both of these kits have this note: "Fits single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) models. Will fit ALL models without a fifth-wheel hitch and will also fit most side mount fifth wheel hitch applications."
You may want to briefly look through the installation instructions and compare it to your truck to make sure nothing is in the way of where the brackets mount. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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