Air Bags
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 192
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Air Bags
Just up graded to a 11K 5th wheel.
Rear end is a little soft, so I'm thinking air bags
Just got back from a trip to Florida, and all went well. 11.75 mpg on average.
Are the Firestone's the best way to go?
Rear end is a little soft, so I'm thinking air bags
Just got back from a trip to Florida, and all went well. 11.75 mpg on average.
Are the Firestone's the best way to go?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: NKY
Firestone and Air Lift are pretty much all I've heard mentioned on the sites. I've had the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate going on 2 years now and have had no issues and it does what I needed it to do...eliminate the sag.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
I just had Airlift Ultimate 5000 with WirelessONE compressor installed on Monday, haven't towed yet but unloaded ride quality improved.
I had Timbrens that I moved over from my 2012 F250 that I towed a 34ft Sabre bunkhouse with but they didn't do enough for the DRW and the heavier hitch weight on the toy hauler.
Funny, I move from the 250 to the 350, first pull with the bunkhouse and I got a lot of "popping" from the overload springs, not enough pin weight, so when I accelerated they would pop and then when braking they would pop, the Timbrens solved that issue by allowing the bump stop to contact the axle once loaded, then we bought the toy hauler and got too much sag and had a lot of drivers flashing me at night so I hopefully resolve that with the airbags
Here are pics of the 250 with Timbrens and wthe Sabre the day I picked it up, 10,000 dry if I remember, we carried around way more than we ever needed, it handled it well for the 6.2 gas
Here's the 350 DRW with the Timbrens and the toy hauler
Adding pics of DRW with airbags, have 70psi in them, first tow with the airbags
I had Timbrens that I moved over from my 2012 F250 that I towed a 34ft Sabre bunkhouse with but they didn't do enough for the DRW and the heavier hitch weight on the toy hauler.
Funny, I move from the 250 to the 350, first pull with the bunkhouse and I got a lot of "popping" from the overload springs, not enough pin weight, so when I accelerated they would pop and then when braking they would pop, the Timbrens solved that issue by allowing the bump stop to contact the axle once loaded, then we bought the toy hauler and got too much sag and had a lot of drivers flashing me at night so I hopefully resolve that with the airbags
Here are pics of the 250 with Timbrens and wthe Sabre the day I picked it up, 10,000 dry if I remember, we carried around way more than we ever needed, it handled it well for the 6.2 gas
Here's the 350 DRW with the Timbrens and the toy hauler
Adding pics of DRW with airbags, have 70psi in them, first tow with the airbags
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,225
Likes: 4,239
From: Kaysville Utah
I've put the Firestones on my 2006, 2011, 2015 and now on my 2017 Truck.
Not sure if they are better or worse than the Airlift. But mine have worked just fine.
I usually install the Airlift Wireless compressor with my Firestone Airbags.
I set air pressures for Unloaded (8 psi) and Loaded ( 45 psi) . Then I just pust the I or the II button and I ready to go.
Not sure if they are better or worse than the Airlift. But mine have worked just fine.
I usually install the Airlift Wireless compressor with my Firestone Airbags.
I set air pressures for Unloaded (8 psi) and Loaded ( 45 psi) . Then I just pust the I or the II button and I ready to go.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
There are a few bag manufacturers out there now(Firestone, AirLift, Hellwig and Pacbrake). I've used Firestones on my last two duallies and had AirLift before. I couldn't tell any difference. One thing I did do that I've never regretted is putting on an on board air system. I used the Viair 10007 and have loved it. I put in a Firestone dual pneumatic gauge under the steering wheel where I can air up/down either of the bags or together. I also put an air coupling under the right rear door of the cab so I can use the system to air up tires anywhere.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 466
Likes: 5
I used the Airlift Ultimate 5000 on a 2011 F250....almost identical to your truck and they worked well. I didn't keep the truck for very long though as it was overloaded.......just as yours most likely is. That Cougar 311RES is right at 12,400 lbs GVWR and that is going to put almost 2500 lbs of pin weight on your truck.....and that's before you put additional weight for the 5ver hitch and all of you other stuff...cargo, passengers, whatever. If your truck was like mine that that very similar setup, I had a payload of 2148 lbs. You might want to check the yellow sticker on the driver side door post and see what your actual payload capacity is.
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster,Pa
Looking to add airbags in the future so here is my question, I already know i want the Airlift bag with the bump stop in it, along with dual feed with a tank.
How many of you, have a set up where you can air up your tires or run an air tool for changing flats, is it worth the extra money to add the tank and port
How many of you, have a set up where you can air up your tires or run an air tool for changing flats, is it worth the extra money to add the tank and port
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
Looking to add airbags in the future so here is my question, I already know i want the Airlift bag with the bump stop in it, along with dual feed with a tank.
How many of you, have a set up where you can air up your tires or run an air tool for changing flats, is it worth the extra money to add the tank and port
How many of you, have a set up where you can air up your tires or run an air tool for changing flats, is it worth the extra money to add the tank and port
On-board air would be nice for airing up tires etc., but unless you install a stand-alone compressor that is significantly larger than those supplied with the airbag systems, you're never going to run any air tools with it. An electric impact would be far more practical. I have a DeWalt 20v - 1/2" drive that'll out-torque my Craftsman 1/2" pneumatic.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
I have a Viair 10007 on board air system on my dually and did a write up on it here. It is for tires and bags only as not many on board systems will flow enough CFM to run air tools without getting crazy expensive. They usually involve two compressors. I carry a Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" 18V battery impact for lug nits and things like that. It has a 1400ft lb rating and makes changing tires a snap.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
I would probably also go with a 2-channel filling system for independent bag control.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
Are you talking about the bags themselves or the connections? Reason I ask is I had 1 new bag that had a pin hole leak. They sent me a new bag no questions. I still have a small leak but it is in a connection somewhere but I have not had the time to drop the spare to investigate (I have the compressor mounted above the spare).
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