Adding Airbags??

[2happytravelers]

I have been towing my 2604 with a 2008 F150 supercrew but need to tighten up on the reese dual cam alot to level the truck with trailer hitched Will adding airbags solve this problem and how will it affect the sway control? Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Dave_Monica]

If the rear of your truck is squatting too much, you are not transferring enough weight forward to the front axle with the weight distribution hitch. You need to adjust your hitch and forgot about air bags as they're not required.

Dave

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

If the rear of your truck is squatting too much, you are not transferring enough weight forward to the front axle with the weight distribution hitch. You need to adjust your hitch and forgot about air bags as they're not required.

Dave

Agree 100%. My 2006 F150 rides level with the trailer hitched up, and the bed loaded for camping. I would not be putting airbags on a 1/2 ton pickup. The rear axle is rated for x lbs., and you don't want to exceed that figure.

Do the fender measurements or take it across some scales as it is set up now, and see if you have the weight back on the truck front end. I betcha not......and if not, then readjust the WDH until you get it correct.

Depending on the brand of WDH, you might have to tilt the ball mount back a notch, or if it uses chains use 1 link less....providing you don't go less than the recommended links.

[stepside]

I ran across this youtube video recently on this forum and watched it to see that my WDH was setup propertly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTQ5ML-O4B0

I would double check that.

Now, to the airbags. I have a Nissan Frontier, which is a midsized truck of course. I have a set of sport rite airbags on my truck. I love the airbags and had them on the truck before I got my current TT. When I bought my TT, I also got the WDH. I found that I had to run a lot less air in them b/c I use the WDH. When we first picked up our TT I aired them up to 60 psi (100psi is max) and we found the ride was WAY too rough. I backed them down to 40 PSI and it made a nice compromise.

I found when towing an enclosed trailer w/ no WDH, the bags were the ticket. I ran 60 PSI then and towed level and comfortable w/ no bounce. When towing my TT w/ WDH, I think the bags provide a smoother ride... Not to mention I have no reservations about loading the bed full when we go on a trip.

[KyDan]

I have airbags on my truck and here's why.
When towing with just my trailer on the back I put little
air in them.
I can easily tighten my chains enough to make the rear
axle light. In fact last time out I tried to go up one more link
in my chains hoping to cut down on the rocky horse bounce.
First stop sign was a right turn and my tires squeeled as I
attempted to pull away from the intersection
(My fresh water tank is in the front end of my trailer
and it was empty.)

Pulled into a parking lot and went back to the normal
link on the WD hitch chains.

On occasion I haul a motorcycle in the back of my truck
and sometimes I even add fire wood in addition to the
cycle. On those occasions I put 75 PSI in the air bags
and we ride nice and level.

AND on the RARE occasion when I go to the land fill
and purchase a heaping load of mulch, the air bags are
great as I can ride away with level bed while many
others look like they're about to drag their rear bumper
on the way out
(It's real hard to "go up a link on the chains" when
you don't have a trailer on the back!!)

[SaskCampers]

Dan pretty much said it all, air bags have a place just not when using a weight distribution hitch. On a 5ver they are great though. If you use you truck for truck stuff then by all means put them on just don't air them up too much when towing.