Air ride discussion

[recon33alpha]

Anyone using an adjustable air ride system in the back to help stabalize load? I have 2010 gmc 1500 hd, but would like to add something to help relieve the stress. Give me your pro's and con's, what brands are you using, etc................Thanks in advance.

[MtnGuy]

Are you using a weight distributing hitch ???

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

Anyone using an adjustable air ride system in the back to help stabalize load? I have 2010 gmc 1500 hd, but would like to add something to help relieve the stress. Give me your pro's and con's, what brands are you using, etc................Thanks in advance.

I recently put Firestone air bags on my silverado 2500hd.
I pull a 36' fifth wheel.
Before just applying breaks made the truck and trailer buck and launch when brakes released.
Now its very smooth.
I had a lot of chucking on certain roads making it uncomfortable.
Now its much more smooth and enjoyable.
Before the truck sat nose high now it level.
My 2 cents

[RonLynnJr]

I installed a set of Air Ride bags and onboard compressor on my 2500 Ram and it makes the world of difference. Plus they had a hundred dollar mail in rebate. The ride is much better when going over not-so-pleasant roads. You will not hardly feel the toungue weight because the bags help to dampen the shock and bouncyness.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I recently put Firestone air bags on my silverado 2500hd.
I pull a 36' fifth wheel.
Before just applying breaks made the truck and trailer buck and launch when brakes released.
Now its very smooth.
I had a lot of chucking on certain roads making it uncomfortable.
Now its much more smooth and enjoyable.
Before the truck sat nose high now it level.
My 2 cents

X2 f1100turbo, have had the same set with onboard compressor on the last 3 trucks (1995, 2000 & now 2005 Silverado 1500's). They make a world of difference.

[recon33alpha]

yes I have WD, but still would like a smoother ride....What is chucking?????

[jd-ford-hd]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

yes I have WD, but still would like a smoother ride....What is chucking?????

Chucking is what some people refer to as the forward and aft jerking of the tow vehicle. I have always called it humping.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by jd-ford-hd

Chucking is what some people refer to as the forward and aft jerking of the tow vehicle. I have always called it humping.

Supposedly on fifth wheels only.

[jdadoug]

So the airbags help with the chuckling? If so what brand of airbag do you reccomend? I'm on the verg of buying some. jdadoug

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by jdadoug

So the airbags help with the chuckling? If so what brand of airbag do you reccomend? I'm on the verg of buying some. jdadoug

I have AirLifts with an onboard compressor.

[jd-ford-hd]

Originally Posted by jdadoug

So the airbags help with the chuckling? If so what brand of airbag do you reccomend? I'm on the verg of buying some. jdadoug

Of all the benefits that air bags might offer, stopping the humping would probably not be one of them. Humping develops at the towed, not the towing vehicle. Air ride on your trailer would reduce humping to a minimum.

[recon33alpha]

I bought the Firestone brand, about 60 bucks more then the Airlift brand, both had great reviews though. They are on the way, can't wait to feel the difference. I didn't get onboard compressor, didn't want to pony up the extra money, plus my mechanical skills are minimal. I'll just air them up and keep track of different PSI's under each situation, loaded with quads or empty.

When you take your trucks in for service, do you let out all air when your TV is being lifted at the frame???

[BigTJohn]

I have a Ram 1500 w/coil rear springs. Fixing to put air bags in. Where did you purchase?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by jd-ford-hd

Of all the benefits that air bags might offer, stopping the humping would probably not be one of them. Humping develops at the towed, not the towing vehicle. Air ride on your trailer would reduce humping to a minimum.

Beg to differ, the air bags do stop the humping effect on the truck and adding shocks on the trailer will eliminate it. I have both and no humping/dolphing or porpoising.

Run an experiment, hook up and do not put air in the bags and tow it on a stretch of highway and then pump the bags up and drive the same road and feel the difference.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Beg to differ, the air bags do stop the humping effect on the truck and adding shocks on the trailer will eliminate it. I have both and no humping/dolphing or porpoising.

Run an experiment, hook up and do not put air in the bags and tow it on a stretch of highway and then pump the bags up and drive the same road and feel the difference.

I'm with Dunnnc.
My humping, bumping, porpoising , whatever you want to call it was virtually eliminated with air bags.
It went from uncomfortable to wow!

[recon33alpha]

Originally Posted by BigTJohn

I have a Ram 1500 w/coil rear springs. Fixing to put air bags in. Where did you purchase?

Sorry BigT, been camping the last 7 days, I got them online at www.streetsideauto.com. They have an ad on here. Instructions said 1 hr or less to install, it took me 3 hr's.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

... Instructions said 1 hr or less to install, it took me 3 hr's.

That's cause you're north of the Mason-Dixon.

Just joking, don't want to start the Civil War again. I've never been able to do anything in the time the instructions say either.

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

I bought the Firestone brand, about 60 bucks more then the Airlift brand, both had great reviews though. They are on the way, can't wait to feel the difference. I didn't get onboard compressor, didn't want to pony up the extra money, plus my mechanical skills are minimal. I'll just air them up and keep track of different PSI's under each situation, loaded with quads or empty.

When you take your trucks in for service, do you let out all air when your TV is being lifted at the frame???

I have the Firestone Ride-Rites with on-board compressor and console mounted switch and pressure gauge in my F250. I pull a 40' fifth wheel and the bags make all the difference. While it didn't completely stop the "chocking", it minimized it greatly. The best thing, though, is that the truck rides level now, making it much better to drive at interstate speeds. I inflate the bags to 60-65 psi when towing and keep about 10 psi in them unloaded.

[Namchief]

Originally Posted by BigTJohn

I have a Ram 1500 w/coil rear springs. Fixing to put air bags in. Where did you purchase?

I got mine at Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts | SD Truck Springs They are having a sale enter code JULY20 in the discount and get another $20 off got mine for $269.51 with free shipping and this is for Firestone airbag kit.

[recon33alpha]

Originally Posted by Namchief

I got mine at Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts | SD Truck Springs They are having a sale enter code JULY20 in the discount and get another $20 off got mine for $269.51 with free shipping and this is for Firestone airbag kit.

Namchief: since you have a TT like me, after the air shock install, did you have to adjust your WDH or did you just put minimum PSI's to help lift your TV alittle. I only need alittle lift, and really don't want to re-adjust my WDH! The problem I have is that I haul my Son's atv in the bed of my truck (need some tie downs in the hauler to haul both quads in the hauler) and my atv in the toyhauler. I haven't hooked up yet and experiemented, but without the Toy's, I think I will only need 10 psi's or less to just lift the truck a bit. I got them more to help the rear suspension and to lessen the fatigue(1/2 ton), hope this makes since, anyone else can chime in as well!!

If you didn't adjust the WDH, could you tell more strain on the bars, when backing or making tight turns with the air bags inflated??