We use our 04 F150 to pull our 27ft travel trailer - up from our trusty 86
F250.

Our old 250 barely even squatted when we put the camper on, the new
150 squats pretty bad...

Enter the Firestone Ride Rite air bags... most places had the Sport Rite
air bags (was looking at the bolt-ins only), one place had a new Ride Rite
bolt in setup that was just out on the market.

I ordered up a set and went to put them on today... well, you remove the
jounce bumper from the frame and bolt an upper plate to the bolt hole...

Well, the upper plate doesn't clear the frame like it should so it doesn't
physically fit!

I was wondering if anyone else ran into this problem?

I'm going to call the company where I purchased the set from tomorrow...

Anyone ever install the Sport Rite set on their truck?

Anyone ever install any other brand of air bag?

If it were me, I'd have the local suspension shop put on beefier springs,
but the wife likes the car-like ride, so that's why I'm going the air bag
route!

Thanks!
Scott

 

Scott,
This is terrible news. I ordered a set of ride-rites saturday and now you tell me
they're not going to fit. Please let me know what the vendor has to say.

 

Clifford II, Tubo here, I've used & installed Airlift bags many times. most recent on my E350 4x4 Quigley, setup for towing my trailer. Airlift bags are going to stiffen the ride somewhat with 50psi in the bags, [recommended pressure] other things that help, sway is lessened, etc. there's the Loadmaster Active Suspension that I've installed on my '04 F150 S/C 4x4, they work great, & don't effect ride at all, check them out.

 

I called the dealer and Firestone themselves... neither were aware of the
problem that I was running into... these kits are fairly new on the market.

All the problem really is is that the "ears" on one end of the upper plate
won't clear the frame rails.. I'm going to take the plates to my son's shop
and see if we can't spread the ears apart a little bit to clear the frame.

Shouldn't be too tough to cure, just kinda upsets me that I have to fix
something that I shouldn't!

Scott

 

I got my ride rites today and installed them after work. Went smoothly , but I can't say it was an easy install, not on your back in the driveway anyway. Everything fit perfectly and the rearend sag is history. I only went for a short test drive, but even on pretty bumpy stuff the truck felt more sure-footed.

 

Is there any drilling required for the ride-rites? Aslo, tubo smith, where can I find information on the loadmaster?

 

No_BS; Loadmaster active suspension, or just loadmaster & look for the active susp. to click on. Let me hear a yes or no on your thoughts....

 

Yours bolted right in with no problems? I have two kits and the upper plate
won't clear the frame rail without some "persuasion"...

I've heard good things from folks that use them... still haven't got mine in yet,
that will be this weekend...

Scott

 

Tubo the forgetful here, To everyone that tried & failed to get ''loadmaster'' I HAD the wrong First letter,,Roadmaster is correct. ActiveSuspension.com OR roadmaster will get the right website. Sorry to all who tried & thought [^*)## well you know what your thoughts were.
I just went to this loadmaster site and it's fine & Dandy...Tubo

 

Scott
Yes my upper brackets fit perfectly. Do you have the heavy duty suspension option? I've heard those trucks have a different frame; maybe that's the problem. All the people with ride-rites that I've talked to say they're great. On my previous F150 I kept breaking springs so I installed a pair from a F350. The new springs never broke, but the ride was terrible unless I had a heavy load in the back. With the ride-rites you can have a comfortable ride all the time. Goodluck

 

I must have got in a couple kits that came from a bad batch...

The only suspension option that I know of is that the truck
has the tow package which I figure yours has as well.

Scott