Leveling Air Bags???
#1
Leveling Air Bags???
Well, we got a 5th wheel to tow with our new 2016 F250. Took our first cross country trip and was bright-lighted constantly by truckers and smaller vehicles with lights on dim. Probably 40% of the vehicles I met. I assume it's because the weight is causing the lights to point up more, making them look like they are on bright.
Saw in another thread a link to TorkLift Stableload that says it levels for towing. Anyone have these and are they sufficient to address my headlight issue?
If not, how well do power leveling bags work to address this? Considering on-board compressor and hooking to an upfitter switch, but know absolutely nothing about them or if they will address this completely.
13K pound camper towed great with zero problems even in high wind, just tired of being blinded at night.
Thanks for any input you can provide.
Saw in another thread a link to TorkLift Stableload that says it levels for towing. Anyone have these and are they sufficient to address my headlight issue?
If not, how well do power leveling bags work to address this? Considering on-board compressor and hooking to an upfitter switch, but know absolutely nothing about them or if they will address this completely.
13K pound camper towed great with zero problems even in high wind, just tired of being blinded at night.
Thanks for any input you can provide.
#2
I put the Firestone bags on a couple weekends ago. I have only towed the 5th wheel about 300 miles with them, but I think they work great so far. My camper is about 10k and at 60psi in the bags I am just about level. Running empty with 10-15psi in the bags it seems to smooth the ride out a little with the little bumps. I don't feel every bug I run over any more.
#3
I have towed 12,000 miles last year and love myFirestone air bags. I didn't get the compressor at first and big mistake. Get the on-board compressor at the same timeand install it under the truck. I mounted mine on a piece of steel and bolted it to some cross members under the cab on the drivers side outside the frame rails. It will be a pain in the but to mount it to the frame. I also pulled up the carpet and found a rubber plug and cut a hole in that and mounted the air filter under the back seat. Also there is a relay that I also put through that gromet and it is under the back seat. I mounted the gauge by the driver door below the ac vent and ran all the wires through a rubber gromet under the dash. It was a pain but you have to remove the inner fender on the drivers side. I put everything in wire loom including all hoses and wires that went to the gauge. I ran them to the plastic where I mounted the gauge through the floor under the truck and all the way to the pump. I made sure everything looked perfect and wire tied everything up and out of the way Took all day to install the pump because i wanted it perfect. I bolted the steel to the truck with riv nuts. I also primed and painted the steel plate after I drilled all the holes so it wouldn't rust.
#5
I've got a 2015 F250 and tow a 13K+ 5th wheel too. I did not like the squat and dynamic bounce with the stock suspension and cheap FX4 shocks. After much research and deliberation I came up with a combination that works VERY WELL.... In my opinion.
Here's my current setup:
1. Torklift StableLoads A7310 lower kit only. I dont have upper overload camper package springs. Engage these when towing. Disengage when not. Back to stock ride (unlike add-a-leafs). These make the steel suspension parts do most of the work. Steel seems to me to track truer than rubber and air alone. Also less strain on the airbags. Less PSI needed.
2. AirLift Loadlifter 5000 Ultimate air bags. These have internal bump stop. Can be run empty when not towing. Mainly used with just enough air to get level. I don't rely on these alone without the StableLoads engaged.
3. Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks. Dial them stiff when towing, softer when not. Way better damping and rebound control than the stock FX4 shocks.
I also recently added a set of Sulastic Shackles SA-06. These improved empty ride quality quite a bit. Have not towed with them yet, but shouldn't change things much, if any.
About the only other thing on my wish list is the AirLift Wireless Air onboard compressor system. Currently just use a 12v portable compressor.
Without system engaged:
WITH system engaged:
In my previous truck that I towed this trailer with (2004 F250), I had Timbren's and nothing else. They were cheap and worked ok, but were not adjustable and after a couple years lost some of their support ability. I added shims to make them engage sooner, but then they hit the bump stops too easily when unloaded and made for an unpleasant ride. Not a bad product, but not the same level of support as what I'm running now.
The 2004 had a lift with slight rake, higher in the rear, when empty. But towing it was noticeably lower in the rear. Even with the Timbrens.
Here's my current setup:
1. Torklift StableLoads A7310 lower kit only. I dont have upper overload camper package springs. Engage these when towing. Disengage when not. Back to stock ride (unlike add-a-leafs). These make the steel suspension parts do most of the work. Steel seems to me to track truer than rubber and air alone. Also less strain on the airbags. Less PSI needed.
2. AirLift Loadlifter 5000 Ultimate air bags. These have internal bump stop. Can be run empty when not towing. Mainly used with just enough air to get level. I don't rely on these alone without the StableLoads engaged.
3. Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks. Dial them stiff when towing, softer when not. Way better damping and rebound control than the stock FX4 shocks.
I also recently added a set of Sulastic Shackles SA-06. These improved empty ride quality quite a bit. Have not towed with them yet, but shouldn't change things much, if any.
About the only other thing on my wish list is the AirLift Wireless Air onboard compressor system. Currently just use a 12v portable compressor.
Without system engaged:
WITH system engaged:
In my previous truck that I towed this trailer with (2004 F250), I had Timbren's and nothing else. They were cheap and worked ok, but were not adjustable and after a couple years lost some of their support ability. I added shims to make them engage sooner, but then they hit the bump stops too easily when unloaded and made for an unpleasant ride. Not a bad product, but not the same level of support as what I'm running now.
The 2004 had a lift with slight rake, higher in the rear, when empty. But towing it was noticeably lower in the rear. Even with the Timbrens.
#6
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