Are air bags the way to go?
09-07-2016, 03:14 PM
#11
Member
I tow a Jayco 28BHBE travel Trailer with my 2016 3.5 Ecoboost. My Payload is 2003 pounds as per the sticker.
The dry weight of the trailer is 6500 and loaded we come in right around 7200. I use an equalizer 12K weight distributing hitch (Started with a 10K but couldn't get it dialed in right) and all I have added was Roadmaster Active Suspension. Tongue weight ranges from about 860 - 950 pounds depending on how we load up.
Trailer tows like a champ. I will not move the trailer out of my driveway until the WDH is hooked up though.
The dry weight of the trailer is 6500 and loaded we come in right around 7200. I use an equalizer 12K weight distributing hitch (Started with a 10K but couldn't get it dialed in right) and all I have added was Roadmaster Active Suspension. Tongue weight ranges from about 860 - 950 pounds depending on how we load up.
Trailer tows like a champ. I will not move the trailer out of my driveway until the WDH is hooked up though.
09-07-2016, 09:14 PM
#13
Senior Member
Sagging (in a truck, anyway) is not "inevitable." The best solution is a well-matched tow vehicle and trailer mated with a quality-well adjusted weight distributing hitch. If sag remains, there is likely a mis-match of the trailer and tow vehicle, and air bags can address the symptoms of the problem.
09-07-2016, 10:27 PM
#14
Proudly Rockin the XL!
I added an Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate airbag system to my '13 SCAB. Manual inflation, so very simple. It's a great assist system, completely invisible in normal driving (mostly deflated), but when I add a lot of weight, I can put in a bit of air and raise the rear back up slightly to maintain a nice ride and rock solid handling.
09-07-2016, 11:00 PM
#15
Just need a WDH.
I have a level and firestone airbags. I typically pump the airbags up to 15-20 psi while towing the trailer, with my dirtbike, bbq etc in the bed of the truck. Trailer is about 5k.
Before I had either the level or airbags i towed it with just the wdh and it was great.
I drive on lots of logging roads, and unless i maintain 10psi+ in the airbags (which makes it ride rougher) the rear of the truck will bottom out when I drive over bigger bumps/pot holes.
I also have bilstein shocks all around.
Realistically airbags on a half ton arent really required unless you lift the truck.
I have a level and firestone airbags. I typically pump the airbags up to 15-20 psi while towing the trailer, with my dirtbike, bbq etc in the bed of the truck. Trailer is about 5k.
Before I had either the level or airbags i towed it with just the wdh and it was great.
I drive on lots of logging roads, and unless i maintain 10psi+ in the airbags (which makes it ride rougher) the rear of the truck will bottom out when I drive over bigger bumps/pot holes.
I also have bilstein shocks all around.
Realistically airbags on a half ton arent really required unless you lift the truck.
09-07-2016, 11:46 PM
#16
Senior Member
Same here
I added an Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate airbag system to my '13 SCAB. Manual inflation, so very simple. It's a great assist system, completely invisible in normal driving (mostly deflated), but when I add a lot of weight, I can put in a bit of air and raise the rear back up slightly to maintain a nice ride and rock solid handling.
09-08-2016, 12:04 AM
#17
Thanks for all the replies. It sounds as though air bags are a good option with good flexibility. I'm looking at different WD hitches as we speak. With my truck being leveled with only a slight rake I've noticed that it doesn't take too much to get the nose pointing in the air.
With all the options out there Im just looking for the best option.
I have tried Torklifts and they were simple to install and inexpensive but they were noisy when not engaged so I removed them. I will try them again before I make a move to air bags or any other device. It may just be that I will install them only when I tow the trailer which will probably be 6-8 times a year.
I like the idea of the air bags adjustability and they've been around for a million years. BUT I've also read that they can leak, be noisy when not in use, etc. Noise seems to be a common complaint for many types of devices, it was an issue with the Torklifts.
Thanks for the replies.
With all the options out there Im just looking for the best option.
I have tried Torklifts and they were simple to install and inexpensive but they were noisy when not engaged so I removed them. I will try them again before I make a move to air bags or any other device. It may just be that I will install them only when I tow the trailer which will probably be 6-8 times a year.
I like the idea of the air bags adjustability and they've been around for a million years. BUT I've also read that they can leak, be noisy when not in use, etc. Noise seems to be a common complaint for many types of devices, it was an issue with the Torklifts.
Thanks for the replies.
09-08-2016, 02:50 PM
#18
i have bags (firestone 5000) no noise that i can speak of. tons of adjustment if you need or keep 5psi if you don't. i have had no problems with leaks. very easy to install(less than 30 mins). pretty cheap and if you dont like them i would say you would have no problem selling them and getting 75% of your money back. i have had them on 2 trucks now and will go on every truck i own in the future.
09-08-2016, 02:52 PM
#19
Geeeeeezzzz...it's like asking my wife a question. Never a straight answer. Thanks for chiming in.
I got 3 responses from 2 people neither of which even remotely touched my question. You guys must work for the government.
I think I was pretty straight forward with my question. I wanted to hear from people who have tried several different methods of leveling out the rear of their trucks. I figure there are people who have tried everything and ultimately settled on one device.
I wanted to know what worked best for them. It's such a simple question. The circumstances, scenarios, situations, and the potential relevancy to my needs are MY problem. I'm not asking for permission.
I just wanted to hear what worked for people who have tried different ways of leveling the rear of their truck while towing a load. That's it. So simple.
"Don't know if I have a problem yet" So I'm planning ahead, I'm anticipating solutions if I have an issue. It's not uncommon for people to run air bags, helper springs, Timbrens, or other devices.
Please if anyone has any input of "value" that's "relevant" to my "question" I would appreciate it.
I got 3 responses from 2 people neither of which even remotely touched my question. You guys must work for the government.
I think I was pretty straight forward with my question. I wanted to hear from people who have tried several different methods of leveling out the rear of their trucks. I figure there are people who have tried everything and ultimately settled on one device.
I wanted to know what worked best for them. It's such a simple question. The circumstances, scenarios, situations, and the potential relevancy to my needs are MY problem. I'm not asking for permission.
I just wanted to hear what worked for people who have tried different ways of leveling the rear of their truck while towing a load. That's it. So simple.
"Don't know if I have a problem yet" So I'm planning ahead, I'm anticipating solutions if I have an issue. It's not uncommon for people to run air bags, helper springs, Timbrens, or other devices.
Please if anyone has any input of "value" that's "relevant" to my "question" I would appreciate it.
Last edited by 16F150 Plat; 09-08-2016 at 04:23 PM.
09-08-2016, 11:31 PM
#20
If you read through the posts you'll see that many people DID answer exactly the question I was asking, which I appreciate greatly as it is guiding my potential purchase.
What have you tried as far as air bags, springs, super springs, etc. and what worked best? That's THE question!
The weight of what I'm hauling, the size of what I'm hauling, where I'm hauling it to, how frequently I'm hauling it won't change the experience that other people have had with their air bags, Torklifts, super springs, etc.
It's like asking someone, "Hey are those shoes comfortable?" And then the person answers with, "Well let me ask you, are you going to wear them with jeans or sweat pants, khaki's or slacks, what color shirt were you planning to wear?"
It just doesn't matter.