Adding Firestone airbags to rear suspension for travel trailer use in my 2018.. Any downside? Already have add a leaf to level it out with tools in back. This will be in addition to those since ball weight will be just shy of 500 lbs more with the trailer. Axle is the 9.75 one not the super 8.8 so it has more capacity.

 

For use instead of a WDH? They wont return front axle weight, just add more weight to the rear axle when you air them up after hooking the trailer. They will increase the downforce on the axle rather than spread the weight out over the shackles.

 

I have them and they work well, I have about 5psi in them when unloaded and 15psi when I hook up my TT. I use them in conjunction with an equalizer WDH. Though, if I were to do it over again, I would probably change out the shocks to bilstein 5100s, put on some heavier rated tires and add a Hellwig rear sway bar before I added the airbags.

I'm thinking about adding the items mentioned above and not using the air bags, as stated above, they don't take any weight off the rear axle.

 

I have them on my 18, the ride is rough. I talked to one of their reps at the 4wheel parts truck fest. He said the bags might be bad, to stiff. I did like he said and sent them an email and have not heard back from them. They work great I tow a travel trailer and a box trailer and have had no issues with them towing. but they do run rough with out the trailer on the truck.

 

I have the ride rite 2000 lb bags. I have 5lbs in them and the ride feels the same as before I installed them.
I have read if you install the 5000 lb bags that the ride will be rough.
I got them because I dont like it when you load the bed down that the head lights are shooting too high.

 

I ran Firestone's on the old truck and they worked fine and with 0 pressure (not what manufacturer says to do) ride was not noticeably different than stock. New truck will get Air Lift RideControl (2000lb). These are the lightest so I assume the best for this application.

I use them for same head light reason you cite.

GD

 

Air bags are for loads in the bed for that exact purpose, getting the lights down, but they really are not meant for towing. Shocks, Hellwig, tires are a better solution along with a good WDH way before adding bags. They upset the fulcrum points of the suspension, which are the shackles, for when a load is applied to the rear of the truck. The WDH is designed to transfer the weight off the rear axle to the front and trailer, and bags, even Timbrens and Sumo to some effect, upset this balance since they put a downward force directly on the axle that can't be removed.

Here is something to consider, when you drop a trailer on the hitch, which drops the tail of the truck, then apply air to the bags and raise it, you are also raising the front of the trailer, and pushing weight to the rear of the trailer, which can lead to sway issues. You will be much better just using a good WDH even if it is less than 600 pounds, than trying to compensate with air bags.

 

I'm looking to get some but I don't really like the ones on the spring cause they look like they upset the way the spring and shackle are supposed to work so I'm looking at the weld on axle and going up to frame mount will they keep the spring work properly.The post I read was go on3 s and he said he went though all the on top spring kits and handling sucked but when he went to the chassis tech axle bracket the handling and ride was smooth and handled much better

 

We have a WDH and I have towed with and without the air bags. The truck tows better with the air bags and I mean a noticeable difference with the air bags. My son had some on his old F250 and his new F250 does not and he says he is installing the bags on his new truck as soon as he gets the money.

 

I have a TT that is 25' and around 4800 lbs empty. It towed OK without the bags but when I out the AirRide bags on it made it feel a lot more stable and sturdy.

I have 3.5 Eco Max Tow...WDH...AirRide


One thing to keep in mind, you will need to adjust the height of your hitch placement when airbags are used. I noticed it lifted the front like others mentioned and made the backend lower and not level when towing. Even with the bags at a low PSi.