Air bags for 2011 Silverado 2500HD

[Soxfan1957]

I have been considering putting air bags on my 2500 Silverado. I have a 2012 Sabre 34 REQS-6 5th wheel. I see that Firestone makes air bags, but when I stopped at a Firestone dealer, they said they don't install air bags due to liability issues. My question is. What brand air bags do you use? And where did you have them installed My TV is a 2011 Silverado 2500HD 4X4 crew cab Duramax diesel, Allison 6 speed tranny

[Ford Idaho]

The firestones are an easy install if you want/can do it yourself.
If not then do you know of any 4x4 or truck repair shops in your area who work on pickups?

[ironj]

I mentioned in another thread that airlift has a 50$ rebate going on bags annd another 50 if u buy an onboard controller system.....pretty simple install if your handy....

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[Bpenn]

We purchased the Air Lift Bags and the Air Compressor from Summit Racing online and had them installed by a local shop. With having the compressor installed the air bags are warrantied for life.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by Bpenn

We purchased the Air Lift Bags and the Air Compressor from Summit Racing online and had them installed by a local shop. With having the compressor installed the air bags are warrantied for life.

i got my last set off of amazon....no tax, free shipping......

didnt get any rebate tho...and i have not messed with the compressor setup yet...i have a couple of pumps and tanks left from my lowered truck builds....that i thought about doing up in there...i carry a small 3gal compressor in my trailer anyway, so its not a big deal to add air if i must....

onboard is nice.....i think if i started messing with the truck again and compressors i would go with a kelderman air lift kit....lift/level all on the fly!

[RKR]

Originally Posted by Soxfan1957

I have been considering putting air bags on my 2500 Silverado. I have a 2012 Sabre 34 REQS-6 5th wheel. I see that Firestone makes air bags, but when I stopped at a Firestone dealer, they said they don't install air bags due to liability issues. My question is. What brand air bags do you use? And where did you have them installed My TV is a 2011 Silverado 2500HD 4X4 crew cab Duramax diesel, Allison 6 speed tranny

Just curious. Why are you bagging your truck ?

[mike06081969]

My FR dealer installed Firestone Ride Rites with the onboard compressor in my truck when I bought my Blue Ridge fiver. I did pull it a few times before the bags, and I would recommend anyone towing a heavy fiver with a 3/4 ton truck to have them. Much safer.

[RKR]

Originally Posted by mike06081969

My FR dealer installed Firestone Ride Rites with the onboard compressor in my truck when I bought my Blue Ridge fiver. I did pull it a few times before the bags, and I would recommend anyone towing a heavy fiver with a 3/4 ton truck to have them. Much safer.

That's why I was curious. I have the same pickup as the OP. I pull a 36' and it sits barely below level and handles great.
'11's were the first year with the new redesigned frame and suspension. The rear axle is set farther back on the springs thus less suspension drop and added stability. I traded my Ford for the pickup I have now. I work in the oilfield and my company gave the first '11 2500 HD 4x4 we got. We had all Fords back then. I like 2500 so much I bought one..lol. It has never crossed my mind to bag the truck that's why I was curious. Hope the link works.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-NtXNQIEHQ4

[Cajun Po-Boy]

I have the Firestone bags on my '05...Easy do it yourself project but if you want it installed, look for an off road truck shop, as others have stated.

[Soxfan1957]

Yes my truck does handle my 5er quite well. I just thought adding the bags might smooth out the ride a little. Especially going over bridges that aren't exactly even with the road surface, and you get that porposing. I agree that the suspension on this truck holds up excellent under the load. Thanks all for your feedback.

[Herk7769]

Since no one mentioned it, two things:

1) Airbags are used to smooth out chucking in 5th wheels, bounce on bumpy roads, and bed leveling under rated load (older trucks with marginal springs).

2) They DO NOT increase your load carrying rating (Payload).
The GVWR of your truck will not increase with airbags or helper springs.

If you are pulling overloaded, airbags will not increase your "safety".

[RKR]

Originally Posted by Soxfan1957

Yes my truck does handle my 5er quite well. I just thought adding the bags might smooth out the ride a little. Especially going over bridges that aren't exactly even with the road surface, and you get that porposing. I agree that the suspension on this truck holds up excellent under the load. Thanks all for your feedback.

Sounds great. Keep us posted on the results.
Thanks

[hihocarp]

Just installed the Airlift 5000 airbags and the Wireless one air compressor. Took 2 of of us about 3 hrs for everything and it works great. I like that I have another remote to play with plus it has 3 different memories air pressures so once I figure out where my 5er sits the best I can put that psi into memory as well as one for pulling the car trailer. It will also maintain the set pressure. I also teed in a Schrader valve I case the compressor ever quits

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Since no one mentioned it, two things:

1) Airbags are used to smooth out chucking in 5th wheels, bounce on bumpy roads, and bed leveling under rated load (older trucks with marginal springs).

2) They DO NOT increase your load carrying rating (Payload).
The GVWR of your truck will not increase with airbags or helper springs.

If you are pulling overloaded, airbags will not increase your "safety".

Agree with not increasing sticker payload or GVWR, but they do increase the ability to carry the load neglecting the axle brgs.

Won't open up the can of worms about the safety issue.

[Lloydg]

Camping World sells Airlift and will install them for $39.00. I'm pretty handy too, but for $39 I had them install them. My time is worth much more than that and they did a great job. Traveled from Michigan to Florida in January and even my DW commented on the improved ride! Now that says something!!!

[Soxfan1957]

I also had airlift installed by camping world last week on my 2011 Silverado 2500HD. You can't beat the price. Had another shop that wanted to charge me $250.00 to install.

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[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Since no one mentioned it, two things:

1) Airbags are used to smooth out chucking in 5th wheels, bounce on bumpy roads, and bed leveling under rated load (older trucks with marginal springs).

2) They DO NOT increase your load carrying rating (Payload).
The GVWR of your truck will not increase with airbags or helper springs.

If you are pulling overloaded, airbags will not increase your "safety".

Where they increase the safety is that you can level the truck, giving you better steering control. It's not that most fifth wheels exceed a 3/4 ton truck's payload or towing capacity, but many of the heavier ones will cause the truck to squat in the rear end. The bags will both level the truck and make the ride smoother. I went backward from a Blue Ridge fiver weighing in at 12,300 lbs dry to a Cruiser fiver weighing in at 7,910 lbs dry. While my truck wouldn't have to have air bags to tow either one, I wouldn't be without them.

[Kuba]

Just do it, i have it on my 08 2500 and the make a huge difference