Who makes the cheapest set of air bags?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, TX
Who makes the cheapest set of air bags?
I do alot of towing and hauling and the truck sits on the helper springs all of the time. I think a set of air bags will fix the issue. I guess a question is will a set of airbags fix the issue? Will it harm or help the handling of the truck?
Thanks
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, CO
Also take a look at Firestone's Ride-Rite, too. Dont think you'll go wrong with either one, just another option if $ is your primary criteria.
I originally put on a set of TorkLift StableLoads - a set of plastic blocks between the spring and the bumper to bring the overloads into play sooner. They worked great for that, but there was still a fair amount of play-and-sway with the camper loaded.
Added a set of airbags and been extremely happy ever since.
(Well, once I got the right parts, but that was my bad...)
I originally put on a set of TorkLift StableLoads - a set of plastic blocks between the spring and the bumper to bring the overloads into play sooner. They worked great for that, but there was still a fair amount of play-and-sway with the camper loaded.
Added a set of airbags and been extremely happy ever since.
(Well, once I got the right parts, but that was my bad...)
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I think Firestone is the most established brand.
Air HELPER bags are used on all motorhomes that are build on light duty chassis to help with constant load. You might want to check RV forum for more info. Better bags will hold the air for months, while cheap ones might need inflating every day.
Don't know if new designs offers better controls, but on my older motorhome I had bags that had inflating valves at the fenders. That was annoying so I extended the tubings to the driver seat and with set of valves, gauge and one of those $9 compressor I could fully adjust it without going outside.
Air HELPER bags are used on all motorhomes that are build on light duty chassis to help with constant load. You might want to check RV forum for more info. Better bags will hold the air for months, while cheap ones might need inflating every day.
Don't know if new designs offers better controls, but on my older motorhome I had bags that had inflating valves at the fenders. That was annoying so I extended the tubings to the driver seat and with set of valves, gauge and one of those $9 compressor I could fully adjust it without going outside.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Airbags mounted outside the frame rail will offer more stability than those mounted inside the rail. If you've got a goose neck / 5th wheel hitch, the no drill design from Firestone will mount inside the frame. You'll notice more sway with this at first, but after a month or so, you won't notice it anymore.
Gone Fishin for Mark
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 2
From: West of Houston
Airbags mounted outside the frame rail will offer more stability than those mounted inside the rail. If you've got a goose neck / 5th wheel hitch, the no drill design from Firestone will mount inside the frame. You'll notice more sway with this at first, but after a month or so, you won't notice it anymore.
but am leery of the sway issue. I think that would bug me worse than the squat with the trailer.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Air bags usually lower the swaying effect. Overinflated for the load -they will raise the vehicle above the factory limit and create bad effect. On my motorhome I was getting good 2" raise, what I was using for leveling at campgrounds.
Adjusting it to the load is the main purpose of making controls at driver seat.
Adjusting it to the load is the main purpose of making controls at driver seat.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
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
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: IOWA
Airbags mounted outside the frame rail will offer more stability than those mounted inside the rail. If you've got a goose neck / 5th wheel hitch, the no drill design from Firestone will mount inside the frame. You'll notice more sway with this at first, but after a month or so, you won't notice it anymore.
The bags are definitely worth the money. They level out the truck and make it ride smoother too (a lot depends on how the trailer is loaded). It's little, but they also keep your headlights pointed where they should be at night instead of up and into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cutlass
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Dec 17, 2011 09:02 AM
