Do I need airbags?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Chattanooga
Do I need airbags?
I'm driving a F350 Turbo Diesel Dually and will be hauling a 43-foot fifth wheel with a total capacity of 15,500.
Today, we took a less on driving fifth wheels from our friendly neighborhood Camping World and took a shot of the truck hauling a fifth wheel (not the one we're getting, but not any larger, I'm sure). Our neighbor says, based on the photo we took (see my album) that the truck needs airbags.
Does it really, do you think?Ford Truck Picture by OnSabbatical | 3120379 | Ford-Trucks.com
Neither I nor the instructor noticed any problems with the ride, not that I'd know as it was my first time ever pulling a fifth wheel . . .
Thanks for any feedback.
Today, we took a less on driving fifth wheels from our friendly neighborhood Camping World and took a shot of the truck hauling a fifth wheel (not the one we're getting, but not any larger, I'm sure). Our neighbor says, based on the photo we took (see my album) that the truck needs airbags.
Does it really, do you think?Ford Truck Picture by OnSabbatical | 3120379 | Ford-Trucks.com
Neither I nor the instructor noticed any problems with the ride, not that I'd know as it was my first time ever pulling a fifth wheel . . .
Thanks for any feedback.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
No, you don't need airbags, but your truck might.
(Sorry, couldn't resist)
The newer trucks have the rear suspension softened up a bit, as compared to the Gen 1, 2 an 3 trucks. An air bag kit is a great way to restore the ride height to level when towing.
(Sorry, couldn't resist)
The newer trucks have the rear suspension softened up a bit, as compared to the Gen 1, 2 an 3 trucks. An air bag kit is a great way to restore the ride height to level when towing.
BuhBye F450, I'm relaxin'
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Plainville, MA
RedFord is right... I'd put a set on there. To me, it looks to be squatting quite a bit with that 5'er!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: South Jersey
Consider that a Ford Dually sits nearly level from the factory and has almost no rake id say your truck isnt sitting that low at all. Now its gonna get worse once you get your new camper all loaded up and add more pin weight so its gonna sag a little more. If it were me id just add a set of Timbren and be done soon th it. The more i read Bout them the more i wish i added them instead of the custom add a leaf i did to the rer sorings
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New User
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Central Cal.
Yup... looks like mine before bags. Measure ground to top of bed rail with and without load and I think you will get a clear picture of what's happening. And as mentioned above it will only get heavier as you add your stuff.
Bag it and pump it up 'til you're about where you were before the load. (Your headlights will work better too)
Bag it and pump it up 'til you're about where you were before the load. (Your headlights will work better too)
Lead Driver
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From: South Jersey
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Post Fiend
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From: Tallassee, ALabama
Have you checked your pin weight? Is there any way to shift some of the weight off the pin? I would not think a 350 would sag that much with a 15k trailer.
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Senior User
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I'm not 100% convinced that the rear is squatting. While it might be, it's possible that the camera angle combined with a wide angle lens is making it look like it is.
Is your suspension stock?
We pull a 5th with our '13 350 6.7 SB 2WD. The 5th weighs in at 12780 and has 3020 on the pin. I see minimal squat with the single wheel configuration. I go back and forth on the topic of bags, right now I'm in the "no bag" camp and we've logged about 7000mi with this combination with no issues. I have about 500# of spare cargo on the rear axle. If your 5th comes in at 14000# you could expect the pin to be in the neighborhood of 3500# which would be right at or a little over my Rear GAWR BUT being a dually I know your Rear GAWR will be more than mine (6730#). Check your yellow sticker on the driver's door pillar ("B" pillar?).
If you visit the CAT Scale you can get your current rear axle weight and you will KNOW how much payload you can add to the rear axle. It'll be $10 well spent IMHO.
The CAT Scale is your friend.
Is your suspension stock?
We pull a 5th with our '13 350 6.7 SB 2WD. The 5th weighs in at 12780 and has 3020 on the pin. I see minimal squat with the single wheel configuration. I go back and forth on the topic of bags, right now I'm in the "no bag" camp and we've logged about 7000mi with this combination with no issues. I have about 500# of spare cargo on the rear axle. If your 5th comes in at 14000# you could expect the pin to be in the neighborhood of 3500# which would be right at or a little over my Rear GAWR BUT being a dually I know your Rear GAWR will be more than mine (6730#). Check your yellow sticker on the driver's door pillar ("B" pillar?).
If you visit the CAT Scale you can get your current rear axle weight and you will KNOW how much payload you can add to the rear axle. It'll be $10 well spent IMHO.
The CAT Scale is your friend.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Chattanooga
If I'm reading it correctly, the rear GAWR IS 9,000 lbs. It occurred to me too that this might just be the photo angle. And, at any rate, that's not the fifth wheel I'll be towing, though I can't imagine mine, at 43 feet, will be any smaller. So maybe the neighbor is jumping the gun by advising the bags, and I'm jumping the gun by asking advice. Once I pick up my fifth wheel, I'll certainly weigh it, drive it, and have more information with which to make a decision. I'd rather not get bags if they're not needed.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Wow, GAWR is 9000#! Doing the reverse math on the rear axle suggests you could pull a 5th in the neighborhood of 20K#. Not sure if you'd be over the GCWR or the max towing limit but still that's some weight.
We upgraded from a 4400# hybrid (24') to the 11780# 39' 5th and the change was pretty dramatic for me both in length/weight and the towing characteristics of bumper-pull vs. 5th.
I'm sure you've heard this a 1000 times but:
1) Turn wide! Turning, the 5th will turn the corner tighter than your truck did.
2) Pick your fuel stops carefully. Plan your exit before you enter. I've learned to hit the truck stops almost exclusively.
We love our 5th and couldn't go back even if we wanted.
Enjoy!
We upgraded from a 4400# hybrid (24') to the 11780# 39' 5th and the change was pretty dramatic for me both in length/weight and the towing characteristics of bumper-pull vs. 5th.
I'm sure you've heard this a 1000 times but:
1) Turn wide! Turning, the 5th will turn the corner tighter than your truck did.
2) Pick your fuel stops carefully. Plan your exit before you enter. I've learned to hit the truck stops almost exclusively.
We love our 5th and couldn't go back even if we wanted.
Enjoy!
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2015
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It is hard to tell from the picture if the truck is sagging or not, but air bags will help regardless. The air bags will stop the truck from porpoising while going down the road under load. Let me know if you have any questions!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: South Jersey
Its a solid rubber piece that looks like a airbag, it goes in place of the useless little rubber bump stop. When weight is added it touches the axles block side tab and takes the weight of the payload. When i do my 08+ spring swap on my 04 F350 ill be installing a set i stead of the add a leaf in the rear spring pack, no more harshest ride, no air lines etc to leak or blow, and the rear sag stopper that i want
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Lakehills, TX
So essentially just a non-adjustable taller bump stop so that the springs frown when overloaded. Sounds like a good option of it happens to be just right with the one load you ever put on it.