Just a quick question for you guys. I was thinking of adding either rear air bags or the RAS(of course now that I've winterized my TT). Which one do you think is better? Or is it just a preference thing? Just ordered my Bilstein shocks as well. It tows great, but just needs that little bit more. Atleast thats what I tell my wife so I can keep buying parts.

 

I have air bags and love them. I tow a 29' Sunnybrook and 25lbs of air makes all the difference. I plan on adding an air compressor and gauge someday, but for now air it up at the rear bumper.

 

2nd Vote for airbags! I have them too and love them! You can adjust the level of the rear end with ease!! I have the Firestone Ride Rite's on my Excursion.

 

I have Bilstein's and the Firestone air bags. Tow a 4 horse steel trailer with my X. Bags made all the difference.

 

Here's my opinion...and mind you it is just my opinion...

Air bags attack one aspect of our Excursions...the weaker rear springs. By putting air in the bags you compensate for the soft spring rate and raise the rear of the Ex thru air pressure/bags.

The RAS also compensates for the weaker rear springs by adding rear spring capacity. You gain roughly 2000#'s of rear spring capacity with the bolt on RAS.

BUT the RAS also adds a few other benefits over the air bags.

1) The RAS is totally passive...meaning it sits there waiting to be needed whereas the air bags require you to add air.
2) The RAS doesn't change with altitude like an air bag bladder would
3) The RAS and air bags cost basically the same...however the RAS is cheaper when compared to an automated inflation air bag system

Here is the biggie for me
4) The RAS compensates for axle wrap where the air bags simply cannot. All leaf sprung vehicles with springs BELOW the axle are prone to axle wrap...and our Ex's with high CG and large spacer block between springs and axle appear to be more prone to this phenom...the RAS adds resistance to the axle wrapping phenom...

Therefore...I firmly believe that our Ex's benefit more from the RAS over the air bags...however the air bags certainly will add capacity to the weak rear springs and help level you out...if that is all you are looking for...but with my 1100-1200#'s of tongue weight PUSHING on the rear of my Ex...I found I needed something more than my air bags and took them off for the RAS...and have been very happy.

Cost wise manually adjusted air bags and the RAS are a wash...and I personally feel the RAS gives you a few more benefits...so I would suggest the RAS over air bags but wouldn't bad mouth the air bags...I just feel the RAS has a slight edge is all.

I tow a 9000# 35' hitch to bumper TT and have done so all over the country thru all kinds of weather and terrain...I'm very happy with my setup.

good luck!
joe.

 

This logic is what led me to the RAS over airbags. I also had no interest in having to remember to air up my bags when I was ready to hook up, particularly since I tow in cold weather (often sub-zero when hooking up at my house). So anything that adds to the time it takes to hook up is a disadvantage in my book.

I also didn't like the potential of problems with moisture in the air in cold weather. That would have kept me from an onboard compressor and in cab controls, but it also made me leery of plumbing air to my back bumper or some other convenient place for filling them when I was ready to pull. Too many opportunities for icing up the system, bursting lines, etc. Probably not a big deal for most people on here, but if you're in a northern environment, it might be something to consider.

My RAS arrives today, according to the FedEx website. I'll post up what I think once the install's complete.

I have nothing negative to say based on fact/actual experience with the airbags. I know people who have them in the L48 and they love them. I don't know anyone up here running them, although I'm sure there are. My concerns about cold weather problems may be over-blown...they're just that, concerns.

The axle-wrap advantage is legit, and was a big factor.

I don't think either is necessarily a bad choice, though.

 

Would you benefit any from doing both?

 

IMO...no...

the RAS will give you enough added spring capacity by itself as well as the other benefits mentioned above.

The air bags will give you enough added spring capacity alone.

Either by themselves will do the intended job of shoring up the rear spring pack.

Now...if someone wanted to enjoy added spring capacity AND remove the axle wrapping and didn't want to go the RAS route...you could add air bags and the landyot radius rods...but this option will cost you significantly more than the RAS but will get you the same overall benefits.


Therefore doing both air bags and RAS is a waste of money (IMO). Because if someone really needed that much 'lift' in the rear when loaded up...you are overloading 1) the rear reciever 2) the rear axle and rear wheels/tires 3) the Ex GVWR or 4) all of these

Joe.

 

Thanks for the info and opinions. I was thinking of just the added boost of the air bags and had forgotten about axle wrap especially when its modified slightly. With all the torque of the diesel it seems the RAS would do alot better even when I'm not towing. Was just checking it out on carparts.com and it seems it might be the way to go for me.

 

Thank you for the reply.
Only mods on my X are: K&N, Bilstein's, Air Rides, Rancho single front steering stabilizer and Prodigy Brake controller. My EGR wire just happened to come undone Monday will have to plug it back in later.
When hauling the horses the only other thing I use is the equalizing hitch.