Yes or no.............air bags now?

[BandJCarm]

OK, I've talked to a lot of experienced folks on several forums, including this one. I know, the sole towing experience with this 5'er is 600 miles hauling it home! BUT.....

I have a small cache of coin right now that I might not have next year.

Since I've done everything I can think of in relation to towing (dually, TrailAir, B&W Companion).......and it still bounced.......I'm down to one binary question.....yes or no.

Is it advantageous to go ahead and install air bags NOW? (In other words, are there any negatives to them at all?)

Just wiggling around in the driveway to put it in final spot here at house, the front seemed 'light' a little.......though the whole thing was really pretty level.

If I do it, I need to do it this week........leaving June 11 for a long camping trip and (long story) time is not my friend for next few months.

Thanks in advance for your continued assistance!!

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

OK, I've talked to a lot of experienced folks on several forums, including this one. I know, the sole towing experience with this 5'er is 600 miles hauling it home! BUT.....

I have a small cache of coin right now that I might not have next year.

Since I've done everything I can think of in relation to towing (dually, TrailAir, B&W Companion).......and it still bounced.......I'm down to one binary question.....yes or no.

Is it advantageous to go ahead and install air bags NOW? (In other words, are there any negatives to them at all?)

Just wiggling around in the driveway to put it in final spot here at house, the front seemed 'light' a little.......though the whole thing was really pretty level.

If I do it, I need to do it this week........leaving June 11 for a long camping trip and (long story) time is not my friend for next few months.

Thanks in advance for your continued assistance!!

[I] have them on mine and see no negative. I used them with the 5er (14K) but really don't need them on the Hemi (8K) but will keep them anyway. Having the adjustability of the air gives you a lot of flexibility. Never experienced the bouncing, so can't say they will eliminate that.

[BandJCarm]

Thanks!

So, do you notice any adverse condition while driving the truck around town, or on highway, without the camper????

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Thanks!

So, do you notice any adverse condition while driving the truck around town, or on highway, without the camper????

Not really. I keep around 5lbs in bags unloaded, in fact with the Hemi, bumper pull, I don't ever add air. With the 5er I used to run 20PSI. It's hard to tell since I installed the bags when the ruck was new so really didn't use truck that much prior to installing bags. Of course we talking apples and oranges between trucks. You have the GMC duallly and I have a Dodge Ram single wheel. From what I understand the GMC/ Chev ride way better than the older 3rd gen Dodges. I can say i had the Trimberns on a prior truck and while they worked to keep the truck from squating, they were rough unloaded if you were on a rough road. I much perfer the bags.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Thanks!

So, do you notice any adverse condition while driving the truck around town, or on highway, without the camper????

With recommended "No Load PSI" the TV will perform normal! Youroo!!

[BandJCarm]

Thanks guys!

Prolly gonna try this...............

[Todouble]

I have had them on two of my trucks now. First was a manual fill second truck I did on board air compressor. Love em. Prob won't own another truck without them. My truck and 5th wheel rides like a Cadillac. There are no down sides I see to having them.

[Carrier]

If you do decide to go with air bags get a compressor kit as well. I have Firestone bags and an Airlift 72000 wireless compressor kit and no drilling, hoses or wires in the cab. Really easy install.
The manual fill that I originally had was a pain in the butt.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Carrier

If you do decide to go with air bags get a compressor kit as well. I have Firestone bags and an Airlift 72000 wireless compressor kit and no drilling, hoses or wires in the cab. Really easy install.
The manual fill that I originally had was a pain in the butt.

Yes, thanks. I've heard that from others too.

(I need a loan.......and haven't even camped yet except stopover on way home).....

[Grisham91402]

Get the manual fill for now and upgrade to the wireless compressor as money allows. I've have them currently on mine and will continue using them in the future.

[Kenny kustom]

Put them in.
Use manual fill. There's really no need to be able to change pressure on the road.
Like driving along and be like ... " I think it needs a couple more lbs".


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[spock123]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Yes, thanks. I've heard that from others too.

(I need a loan.......and haven't even camped yet except stopover on way home).....

Just curious but what kind of tires do you have on the camper? My Cedar Creek sometimes gets a little bouncy.


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[BandJCarm]

Westlake 14ply G rated 16"......

I can't make myself spend the money to replace new tires with G614's.......but I may regret that.

[PenJoe]

We have had Firestone Ride-Rite air bags on our last three half-ton pickups.
They give excellent stability when towing and normal ride when the bags are at 10 lbs. The bags don't increase load capacity, but the do help the rear springs. In eleven years use, we have found no disadvantages.

[W5CI]

Bill did you ever go weigh your rig at a CAT scale, that will tell you your axel weights, with a Dully and a 5er it wont ride like a suv or a 1/2 ton pu

[emm-dee]

I use the wireless controlled AirLift compressor so I can adjust the pressure when unhooking or hooking up at the campsite. Can't usually find air there for manual fill. Also have the manual fill shrader fitting in the rear bumper. I occasionally hear the compressor turn on or the air release activate due to outside air temperature changes. The AirLift unit will not allow the bags to go below the recommended 5 psi so if you hear it running a lot you know there's a leak.

Biggest advantage I've seen with having the bags is major improvement in stability. They also prevent the wheel hopping that happens when you accelerate a little to quick on wet roads.

[GaryHowe]

I use the AirLift ultimate 5000 air bags and Bilstein shocks on my F250.

We're pulling a Rockwood Windjamer 3029 and use an Equalizer 4 way 1200/12,000 hitch.

Rig is rock solid in all towing enviornments.

[Locchamp]

I have bags on the Chevy traverse made a good difference I only paid 139 plus 100 for install so worth it


2016 mini lite 2306
2012 Chevy traverse

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by youroo

With recommended "No Load PSI" the TV will perform normal! Youroo!!

We are in a F250 6.0 liter D. With the big Lance camper we ran about 90 psi With 8000 lb bumper pull and 1000 toy in the bed we run 50. Empty I leave 10 in them

The camper could bounce a little, the trailer, w load,. Never bounces.

[jgourlie]

I say go for it there are no disadvantages