Air bag system for towing
10-25-2015, 05:00 PM
#11
The airbags make the ride harsh that's the only problem I have them the roadmaster active suspension does a nice with wheel hop also and improves the handling and last but not least money back guarantee
10-25-2015, 05:38 PM
#12
Senior Member
I had the Firestone Ride Rite on my F150 and they worked great! But if I had to do it again I would use the Air Ride Loadlifter 5000 ultimate bags instead as they have an integrated bump stop which means you don't have a run a minimum pressure when not in use. You can let all the air out and forget about the bags until you need to tow again, then fill to your desired pressure. With the Firestone's (or any other bag without integrated jounce bumper) you have to maintain 5psi pressure as the minimum to keep the bags from ever being collapsed and damaged. If you have an automatic air pump, it's always coming on to adjust that 5psi pressure and/or if you manually fill you have to constantly check that pressure with the changing seasons, etc..
10-25-2015, 05:39 PM
#13
Senior Member
When I do it I'm going to make each bag on its own air line so you don't get air transfer from side loads. Each bag will maintain the pressure under side loads.
10-25-2015, 05:49 PM
#14
Crew cabs with the 6.5 foot box are usually the ones that suffer from this and it is because the springs used on this particular truck are longer than those found on the shorter trucks.... and the problem is definitely axle wrap. Basically the differential is trying to twist its way up and around and the springs are simply to weak to stop it. The axle wrap happens even when the truck is unloaded but generally the more you load the worse it gets.
Air bags will help and so will the RAS but the problem still remains....the springs are just to weak. I am going to solve my trucks axle wrap using the only guaranteed cure, ladder bars. I will then use a RAS set up to raise the truck and assist in load carrying.
Air bags will help and so will the RAS but the problem still remains....the springs are just to weak. I am going to solve my trucks axle wrap using the only guaranteed cure, ladder bars. I will then use a RAS set up to raise the truck and assist in load carrying.
10-26-2015, 10:07 AM
#15
Senior Member
Robert I have never seen where air bags made the ride harsh, think about what your riding on is a pillow of air I don't see how that can hurt the ride. if yours did then something was wrong in the bags or set up.
now I think ford has the same leaf springs for both bed lengths and cab sizes it makes no sense to change it when wheel wells are the same size. now even the springs I have seen on the shelf for max tow and max payload look to be the same size. but I cant see the steel's strength with my eyes.
now I think ford has the same leaf springs for both bed lengths and cab sizes it makes no sense to change it when wheel wells are the same size. now even the springs I have seen on the shelf for max tow and max payload look to be the same size. but I cant see the steel's strength with my eyes.
Last edited by blueovelboy; 10-26-2015 at 10:16 AM.
10-26-2015, 10:41 AM
#16
Senior Member
PS: I have my used Firestone bags and all installation hardware for sale if you're interested (and local)
Last edited by xcntrk; 10-26-2015 at 10:44 AM.
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RES4CUE (10-26-2015)
10-26-2015, 07:47 PM
#17
I've got customers with them and they complain about the ride I use roadmasters would not waste money on airbags my truck has a blower and I tow heavy with zero axle wrap and I have lots of power and torque I dynoed it today
10-26-2015, 11:40 PM
#18
Senior Member
wow today, that's so random its like a troll said it
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Marcusjolaine (11-01-2015)
10-27-2015, 08:45 AM
#19
Take it how u want but I can tell ya I'm towing heavier than most on here and the road master works and if my customers are complaining about the airbags that I didn't even sell them dunno why they would lie
10-27-2015, 10:56 PM
#20
Appreciate the input and advice everyone. Went the RAS route, due to price, timing (need to make something happen within 10 days), ease of install, and maybe most importantly positive reviews. Will post pics when installed and post reviews of my own.
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Velosprout (10-27-2015)