Question - Should I add air-bags or replace shocks with adjustable shocks, or both

2010 FORD 250 XL 4x4,Ext cab, short bed, short WB.

Ride is rough bumpy, bone rattler. The suspension is the standard with no factory over load springs
I know the short WB will give a worse ride then the long WB.

I removed one rear shock, it is tight, slow to release and a bear to push back up - had to use a jack. They are Monroe after market, I cannot determine the model I suspect a HD 'stiff' off-road model.
To help, I set the tire pressure to 75 rear and 70 front. The tires are stock size LR E. The Ford door sticker calls for 80R and 75F. At those pressures it rides like a brick.

Dropping the PSI improves the unloaded ride some.

I think the shocks are too tight (stiff) for this truck. I could replace them with another brand and maybe a lighter model.

I tow a 2 horse bumper pull. When hitched up and loaded it rides quite hard. I set the trailer tires to 70, which helps with trailer bounce.

I use a WDH. The truck - trailer load is balanced.

I added the Timberon rubber springs. They do not touch the stop when unloaded, so there is no ride impact.
I get about 3 inch drop when loaded with trailer. Even with the WHD correctly adjusted the rear is dropped to put some of the load (sag) on the rubber bumpers. I took the advice of the tech at eTrailer. I think I should have installed airbags

I thought about air-bag setup for the rear to help with rear end drop. But I can manage that with proper WDH setup
Air would help with a better ride ? I would guess there would be a better ride when unloaded and the airbag set to min psi

My options are both a bit costly.
I am thinking about the Rancho adjustable shocks front and rear. I have read good and bad reviews. I would have to determine the correct setting of the shocks when not loaded vs full load with trailer. But once I know the best setting It will not be a big issue to crawl under and set the adjustment.

Sure would appreciate any helpful advice

 

Sounds like your shocks might be shot. Also, can let some air out of your rear tires when not hauling.

Never had airbags but lot of guys who do have them like them.

 

Bags can help with the sag hitched to your trailer. You'd probably still want to use the WDH to put some weight back on the front axle.

 

Sounds like the shocks are gone. They should take maybe 5 seconds to reboud when off the truck fully compressed. If they don't rebound at all then trash them.
I've never been a rancho fan, Bilstein 5100 are a great shock . Run them on my F150 and had them on my previous Ram. Slightly firmer than a factory shock but do a really good job.

If you run air bags don't get the 5000lb rated, they're way overkill. Something in the 2000lb range that can be run with 10psi empty work great, at least for me. I can hook up my camper and put in 40psi and it is leved back out and still rides good.

Also, you could probably run closer to 55psi in the rear when not towing

 

My bumper pull toy hauler drops the rear of my truck no more than 2". The tongue weight is between 940 and 1400 lbs. The WDH brings that back up some. 2017+ trucks are a bit better and handling the squat from what I hear.

Without a load, I run my tires at 55 front and 70 rear. With a load, I run 55 front and 80 rear. The tire placard on my F-350 list the pressure as a maximum of 60/80 for front/rear. Are you sure the door sticker calls for that much pressure on the front?

I see no reason to put air bags on my truck at this time. If I step up to a fifth wheel trailer, I may install air bags to help with the squat.

I put on Rancho 9000XL shocks after the first 5,000 miles. The adjustability of the shocks makes it possible to tailor the ride. I've been happy with them. They cost a heck of a lot less than a set of Fox shocks. Bilstein is a good shock but offers no adjustment to the ride.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I have been researching the Rancho adjustable shocks. Some have problems but most were good. Quite a few posts on this site as well as few Fb sites. I think I would prefer the adjustable feature over a fixed shock.
Yes the current shocks did not expand when I pulled the bolt on the lower strut. Had to pull it down. Then could not push it back up without a jack.

Current plan is to get the 4 Rancho shocks. See how that goes, Decide on the air-bags later

I do not care for the bumper overloads- Timberon. When the sage drops on them the ride is harder. They were a mistake.

I too am thinking the tire pressure is quite high for the F250. Yes the plate says 75/80. I have read so many posts about what tires pressure to set. Many say inflate to tire spec, In my case the tires are rated at 80. That was way to hard for the light load when empty. Set to Ford specs still rough. Set to 70/75 better.
Will try 65/70 next time i go out.. The concept of inflate to actual load or to a mfgr spec has been argued in detail. Based on the math Percent of actual weight to spec weight , then reduce the PSI by the same percent.. I want to be cautious to not impact the side wall roll/flex. May impact handling. Not hauling much over the winter, so I will drop the pressure in 5psi increments to obtain a better unloaded ride. Once I get the new shocks installed I might be able to increase the PSI.
Thanks for the comments
RR.

 

I have never been a fan of Rancho shocks, newer monroe's arn'r much better. Bilseins are a good shock but I have gotten better on road performance out of KYB's than anything else, they seem to ride better and also handle loads better.

 

I've air springs and rancho 9000's using a WDH. Shocks are on the stiffest setting and I am still not happy when towing, but it's tolerable. The 9000's aren't the end all be all. Air springs help tremendously, I'd start there.

 

Ok more to think about. I found a good deal on ebay for the Airlift system. Its new but considered used. Price is 287 for the correct kit - all pic show the correct kit. I am not sure the air bags will fix the hard rough ride , maybe the rear but not help the front.
Its just money , not that I have allot to spare, but I really want this truck to ride and handle better. I might just spring for Rancho shocks and the air bags.

I sort of think I should have found a 350 1 ton but my weights are all in spec for this truck. I bought this truck before the truck shortages, Have put a good bit into it, so I have no desire to sell it. Pulls and stops the trailer great. I think I can fix this suspension ride problem.

 

I did things a bit differently. We made up airbags but I also removed a couple of leaves to soften the everyday ride. When I hookup a large load, pump up the bags. Works well. I do wish I had adjustable shocks. The Fox's work pretty good tho...

 

which KYB’s are you liking?

I’ve used the excel-g and was wholly unimpressed.

 

I am running the Mono-Max

 

Thanks. I’ll take a look at them. Need something for the 2004.

 

An Update.
Thanks again to all the above responses and advice.
I installed the Rancho 9000xl Adjustable shocks front and rear, I made a costly mistake and bought the wrong rear shock. Was for a lifted truck. Removed and installed the correct shocks. The old shocks I removed were aged Monroe cheapos. The ride is now great. I set the front to 3 and and the rear to 4. Was good on back roads and highway. A little bouncy on interstate. Based on other posts, I should set the adjustment higher at highway speed. But It handled fine. No load or trailer. Have not taken the trailer out yet.
I listed the wrong shocks on marketplace.
I bought the AIr Lift air bags I mentioned above. Doubt I really need them now, but will install since I have them. A job for nicer weather. I have the older model kit that mounts the bags on the outside of the frame.vs the new model style that mount inside in place of the bump stops. This kit does require I drill 2 holes in the frame. Should not be a big deal

I am pleased with the RANCHO shocks so far, will know when more when I pull the load

I did install the Timberon Bump stop overload 'spring' , as indicated above, they work OK but when loaded and drop down to the bump stop the ride get harsh, I do not plan on removing. I bought them because the sales tech indicated these were 'better' then the air bag. Should have done more research
RR

 

The only times I've had Death Wobble on my truck is when the front Rancho 9000XL shocks are set too low. 3 is definitely too low on my truck, 4 is better but 5 is just right.