Old air bags
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 19
Likes: 11
Old air bags
Hello, my 2012 F250 that I bought used had suspension bags in the rear that the previous owner left installed. He wasn’t nice enough to leave the compressor or other components when he sold it 😕
My question is I really have no idea if the bags are still functional and are worth attempting to use. I’ve heard good things about sumo springs and timbren so I wonder if I should take out the old hardware and start over or would it be better to try and use the suspension already in place. I tow a travel trailer at around 10k fully loaded and don’t have too much squat with my weight distribution but I have some issues with “porpoising” on the highway. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My question is I really have no idea if the bags are still functional and are worth attempting to use. I’ve heard good things about sumo springs and timbren so I wonder if I should take out the old hardware and start over or would it be better to try and use the suspension already in place. I tow a travel trailer at around 10k fully loaded and don’t have too much squat with my weight distribution but I have some issues with “porpoising” on the highway. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,694
Likes: 12,819
From: Wyoming
Did the prior owner just cut the air lines? Or, is there a Schrader valve somewhere that you could put an air chuck on. These valves are often located by the license plate or in the fuel door area. If it was me, I would keep the air bags, just in case.
Porpoising can be caused by a trailer that is not well balanced (not loaded right front/back), a WDH not configured quite right or front shocks that need to be replaced. There could be other causes, that those are the ones I can think of right now.
Porpoising can be caused by a trailer that is not well balanced (not loaded right front/back), a WDH not configured quite right or front shocks that need to be replaced. There could be other causes, that those are the ones I can think of right now.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 19
Likes: 11
I was able to trace the airline into the cab of the truck where it stops under the rear passenger seat. There are drill holes that looks like that’s where the compressor was located. I’ve never had any experience using air suspension the only knowledge I had was from YouTube surfing. I swapped out the old rancho shocks with some new bilsteins after I first had the issue thinking that would solve it but it didn’t. Can I just hook up a compressor to it and see if they hold air?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
From: Southern Michigan
I have a 2013 with the Air Ride 5000 bags. No issues to date with the bags, I mounted the air pump out under the hood, with a gauge/button inside the cab. Can add adjust the air running down the road at anytime.
As long as the bags on your truck hold air, I would use them. You can buy air pumps, etc on the internet to get them working.
You will need to know what make they are, (Air Ride, Firestone).
Mine are Air Ride. You can call Air Ride direct, and they will sell you what you need to get them working. They are great to work with.
My old 2001 Ford Diesel, sold to a friend are the same Air Ride Bags, and still work today with out any issue.
Your choice on what you want to do. If I had a new truck, I’m not sure what way I would go.
As long as the bags on your truck hold air, I would use them. You can buy air pumps, etc on the internet to get them working.
You will need to know what make they are, (Air Ride, Firestone).
Mine are Air Ride. You can call Air Ride direct, and they will sell you what you need to get them working. They are great to work with.
My old 2001 Ford Diesel, sold to a friend are the same Air Ride Bags, and still work today with out any issue.
Your choice on what you want to do. If I had a new truck, I’m not sure what way I would go.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,222
Likes: 4,232
From: Kaysville Utah
If he cut the lines and the truck has been driven with Zero psi in the bags. They may be ruined. Firestone bags in particular need a minimum air pressure so they don't bottom out and destroy the bags.
Put a valve on the line and pressure up the system and see if it hold air..
Put a valve on the line and pressure up the system and see if it hold air..
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 167
From: Central Texas
I suspect your porpoising is due to your WDH doing too much and your springs not enough. I had the same problem with my nearly 10k lb camper. It drove us nuts. Hooked it up w/o bars and leveled with air springs and test drove. It was night/day different, though it does still need some WDH help, just not what I was giving it. I've found the F250's to be slightly undersprung when towing weight, in and above, this weight. Air springs helped a lot.
BTW, if you want to hook up your system, you don't need the air compressor. Just two push lok schrader valves on the end of the lines to the springs and air them up manually. Very inexpensive to do and you will find out if springs are good or not. Search "push lok schrader valve".
BTW, if you want to hook up your system, you don't need the air compressor. Just two push lok schrader valves on the end of the lines to the springs and air them up manually. Very inexpensive to do and you will find out if springs are good or not. Search "push lok schrader valve".
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 19
Likes: 11
I suspect your porpoising is due to your WDH doing too much and your springs not enough. I had the same problem with my nearly 10k lb camper. It drove us nuts. Hooked it up w/o bars and leveled with air springs and test drove. It was night/day different, though it does still need some WDH help, just not what I was giving it. I've found the F250's to be slightly undersprung when towing weight, in and above, this weight. Air springs helped a lot.
BTW, if you want to hook up your system, you don't need the air compressor. Just two push lok schrader valves on the end of the lines to the springs and air them up manually. Very inexpensive to do and you will find out if springs are good or not. Search "push lok schrader valve".
BTW, if you want to hook up your system, you don't need the air compressor. Just two push lok schrader valves on the end of the lines to the springs and air them up manually. Very inexpensive to do and you will find out if springs are good or not. Search "push lok schrader valve".
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 242
From: North Florida
Like Prostock said, you can just add schrader valves and be good to go. A compressor setup is definitely an upgrade, but many people (including me) run airbags without it. I’ve shopped compressor setups many times just never pulled the trigger. I don’t do a lot of adjusting of the pressure.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 19
Likes: 11
Like Prostock said, you can just add schrader valves and be good to go. A compressor setup is definitely an upgrade, but many people (including me) run airbags without it. I’ve shopped compressor setups many times just never pulled the trigger. I don’t do a lot of adjusting of the pressure.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,141
Likes: 15,901
From: Wisconsin
If you are empty, 5 psi. Inflate to a level ride with a load is a place to start. I have anywhere from 30 to 85psi depending on the load.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
chinook507
Excursion - King of SUVs
10
Sep 21, 2010 05:10 PM