add bags or a leaf
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New User
Joined: Sep 2009
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add bags or a leaf
I own a 2000 F-250 SD with 7.3 diesel 4 x 2. I installed a Reese fifth-wheel hitch in it over the weekend and hooked up to my 8,000 ultra-lite 29ft. trailer. Has a slight sag in the rear, no pun intended. I just went from a Dodge 1500 and had a set of over-load springs on that truck for the sag. Worked well when loaded down, but rougher than a cobb when not loaded. felt every bump in the road and don't really want that with this new Ford diesel. What type and brand of airbags can you guys recommend or should I jst add a leaf. It already has five. Thanks Les.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
As you've already learned, adding a leaf will make it ride hard when unhitched. Air bags don't hurt the ride with deflated.
A third option would be swapping to the F350 size block on the rear axle, and adding the auxilliary overload springs. You'll have a little rake, like F350's do, but not a big deal IMO. Plus the auxillirary OS don't contact the stops when unloaded, so the ride is the same as original.
A third option would be swapping to the F350 size block on the rear axle, and adding the auxilliary overload springs. You'll have a little rake, like F350's do, but not a big deal IMO. Plus the auxillirary OS don't contact the stops when unloaded, so the ride is the same as original.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
I had a set of Air Lift airbags on my truck before I lifted it. I loved them, leveled my truck without any issues (pulling 32' TT w/ ATV's/accy's) and rode fine when unloaded (sans air of course).
Welcome to the site!
Welcome to the site!
BuhBye F450, I'm relaxin'
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 19
From: Plainville, MA
Bags...
Ditto... I've got bags on mine now. Haul a Lance 845 slide-in camper and as silverbullet said, levels the truck off nicely and rides fine empty. I put 50-55lbs in when the camper is on and about 3-4lbs when off.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 537
Likes: 17
From: Linden USA
I had air bags on the back of my 2001 and put a leaf spring on the back of my 2005. I liked the ride of the air bags. I had the Airlift brand out of Lansing Michigan and also had the onboard air compressor so I could adjust on the fly, those were great.
BuhBye F450, I'm relaxin'
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 19
From: Plainville, MA
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
The cheaper option is Timbrens myself I don't like add a leaf if you are going to do the springs you replace the whole pack with new heavier ones.
If you want a quick cover up the bags work I'am not a fan of them they put stress on the frame. Plus they have no give so the rear is too rigid.
If you want a quick cover up the bags work I'am not a fan of them they put stress on the frame. Plus they have no give so the rear is too rigid.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 713
Likes: 5
From: Minneapolis, MN
Timbrens are a much more passive option, but I'm not a big fan of them on Fords. We had them all the time on the Chevy's, and they didn't seem to affect the ride much when unloaded. When I bought my first Ford, a 2000 regular cab F350, I put timbrens on all four corners. The ride was so punishing in that truck you'd lose your dentures. The springs are so tight in these trucks already, that adding something stiff and passive like Timbrens limits suspension travel and prevents it from cycling all the way, so the axle ends up "bouncing" off instead of completing it's cycle, if that makes any sense. Both super duties I have now have air bags, I'll never ever go back to Timbrens on a Ford. The Chevy's were like driving a sponge unloaded as it was, so Timbrens actually helped them ride like a truck is supposed to...
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,176
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From: the woodzies
I have firestones and they are great. I would defiantly recommend getting a compressor when you get your air bags; being able to adjust the pressure is nice especially if you unhook the trailer alot.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Another vote for bags. I wish I would have installed mine sooner. Either Firestone or Airlift will be fine. The key is to make sure you find the model that fits your truck WITH the hitch. Outboard bags will be more preferable than inboard bags in terms of sway control, but if you go with the inboard bags, you really only notice the sway control at first, and if the truck is new to you, maybe not at all.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Smiths Grove, KY
Welcome to FTE.
I installed Air Lift bags on a 1/2 ton pick-up not long ago and loved them. Air Lift does recommend that you have a minimum amount of air pressure in the bags at all time, however it's not enough to have a significant impact on the ride of the truck unloaded. If you install additional leafs then you are locked in whereas with the air bags you can customize your suspension for the load.
Check out the following website for additional details:
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
I installed Air Lift bags on a 1/2 ton pick-up not long ago and loved them. Air Lift does recommend that you have a minimum amount of air pressure in the bags at all time, however it's not enough to have a significant impact on the ride of the truck unloaded. If you install additional leafs then you are locked in whereas with the air bags you can customize your suspension for the load.
Check out the following website for additional details:
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,543
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Air bags are easier and cheaper to put on, and will probably do more for you than an extra leaf. I have had both the firestone and air lift brands, and the air lifts seem to line up better and give more height lift than the firestones. They both cost about the same, but the air lift kit was harder to install, but seems to work better.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
If you do go the route of bags (I had Air Lift brand bags), an on board compressor isn't necessary but would be nice to have I imagine. I have an air compressor in my garage so I didn't think twice about it (although I always carry a portable with me).
When I installed the bags, I ran both lines to my rear bumper so both fittings were right next to one another for easy inflation/deflation.
When I installed the bags, I ran both lines to my rear bumper so both fittings were right next to one another for easy inflation/deflation.