Are air bags the way to go?
09-09-2016, 12:00 AM
#21
Senior Member
the firestone airbags i had on my previous truck did not make any noise at all. add air when i tow, let air out when i'm done. easy peasy.
a WDH would still be required for tongue weights over 500lbs but the airbags will definitely help with controlling the bounce.
a WDH would still be required for tongue weights over 500lbs but the airbags will definitely help with controlling the bounce.
09-09-2016, 01:14 AM
#22
Senior Member
It does matter.
If someone is trying to solve the problem of a slightly overloaded truck or a truck loaded within spec but needs to overcome a cosmetic leveling kit, airbags may well be the solution, as I commented above. Especially if doing occasional recreational towing.
If one's intent instead is to attempt to solve the sagging of a grossly overloaded pickup truck, the airbags may level the truck but overall performance will be disappointing, because all the other components of the truck may still be insufficient.
When I was towing or hauling heavy all the time (18 foot Hillsboro gooseneck grain hydraulic dump trailer hauling about 310 bushels of grain or livestock feed, or a 10-foot livestock rack in the bed hauling hogs or cattle, or a cab-over slide in camper, or over-cab height bed topper filled with loads of seed corn, or towing double anhydrous ammonia tank trailers or silage wagons, or heaping truckloads of oak firewood), I didn't want a temporary solution like air bags. Instead I took the truck to a professional spring shop and had them build a custom spring pack with overload springs. I wouldn't advise using airbags if what you are towing/hauling is for daily industrial or farm use.
Last edited by Velosprout; 09-09-2016 at 01:21 AM.
09-09-2016, 04:24 AM
#23
Because it's irrelevant. It doesn't matter. I'm asking about other people's experiences hauling whatever they are hauling. What's so hard about the question exactly? I didn't ask them what weight of trailer they were towing, how long, how often, how far, for what reason...
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.
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.
09-09-2016, 07:00 AM
#24
Senior Member
OP misses the point that forums are not personal message boards where one obtains private recommendations, like emailing a company for product support. Others read questions and answers, and take actions based on them, without knowing things that they should and without understanding context. Providing complete answers, as many tried to do (much to the OP's displeasure), ensures that others understand things like airbags may not be necessary, a wdh will be necessary, etc.
Many vehicle owners don't understand the basics of towing and tow unsafely, putting themselves, their families, and the general public at risk. Some of us try to ensure that people understand what to correctly do, and don't assume that a new poster has knowledge that they haven't said they have.
The OP could have nicely stated "thank you for the information, I plan on waiting until I have the trailer, properly adjusted wdh, don't exceed payload and other capacities, etc. before determining if I need to add airbags to reduce squat" instead of the way he did.
The ignore function of the forum is helpful at times.
Many vehicle owners don't understand the basics of towing and tow unsafely, putting themselves, their families, and the general public at risk. Some of us try to ensure that people understand what to correctly do, and don't assume that a new poster has knowledge that they haven't said they have.
The OP could have nicely stated "thank you for the information, I plan on waiting until I have the trailer, properly adjusted wdh, don't exceed payload and other capacities, etc. before determining if I need to add airbags to reduce squat" instead of the way he did.
The ignore function of the forum is helpful at times.
Last edited by Ricktwuhk; 09-09-2016 at 07:44 AM.
09-09-2016, 08:08 AM
#25
Official HTT Greeter
Air bags are great for trucks like mine.
I added a 2" level leaving my rear fender about 1-1.5" higher than the front. AND I have a Payload over 2000lbs.
So if I want to load 1500lbs in the bed but not blind traffic with my headlights then I need some kind of additional suspension support. Air bags, add-a-leaf, timbrens helpers, etc.
I added a 2" level leaving my rear fender about 1-1.5" higher than the front. AND I have a Payload over 2000lbs.
So if I want to load 1500lbs in the bed but not blind traffic with my headlights then I need some kind of additional suspension support. Air bags, add-a-leaf, timbrens helpers, etc.
09-09-2016, 09:51 AM
#26
Senior Member
Originally Posted by SixShooter14
So if I want to load 1500lbs in the bed but not blind traffic with my headlights then I need some kind of additional suspension support. Air bags, add-a-leaf, timbrens helpers, etc.
09-09-2016, 03:46 PM
#27
It does matter.
If someone is trying to solve the problem of a slightly overloaded truck or a truck loaded within spec but needs to overcome a cosmetic leveling kit, airbags may well be the solution, as I commented above. Especially if doing occasional recreational towing.
If one's intent instead is to attempt to solve the sagging of a grossly overloaded pickup truck, the airbags may level the truck but overall performance will be disappointing, because all the other components of the truck may still be insufficient.
When I was towing or hauling heavy all the time (18 foot Hillsboro gooseneck grain hydraulic dump trailer hauling about 310 bushels of grain or livestock feed, or a 10-foot livestock rack in the bed hauling hogs or cattle, or a cab-over slide in camper, or over-cab height bed topper filled with loads of seed corn, or towing double anhydrous ammonia tank trailers or silage wagons, or heaping truckloads of oak firewood), I didn't want a temporary solution like air bags. Instead I took the truck to a professional spring shop and had them build a custom spring pack with overload springs. I wouldn't advise using airbags if what you are towing/hauling is for daily industrial or farm use.
If someone is trying to solve the problem of a slightly overloaded truck or a truck loaded within spec but needs to overcome a cosmetic leveling kit, airbags may well be the solution, as I commented above. Especially if doing occasional recreational towing.
If one's intent instead is to attempt to solve the sagging of a grossly overloaded pickup truck, the airbags may level the truck but overall performance will be disappointing, because all the other components of the truck may still be insufficient.
When I was towing or hauling heavy all the time (18 foot Hillsboro gooseneck grain hydraulic dump trailer hauling about 310 bushels of grain or livestock feed, or a 10-foot livestock rack in the bed hauling hogs or cattle, or a cab-over slide in camper, or over-cab height bed topper filled with loads of seed corn, or towing double anhydrous ammonia tank trailers or silage wagons, or heaping truckloads of oak firewood), I didn't want a temporary solution like air bags. Instead I took the truck to a professional spring shop and had them build a custom spring pack with overload springs. I wouldn't advise using airbags if what you are towing/hauling is for daily industrial or farm use.
It's not your responsibility. I'm not asking permission. You and a few others are reading WAY TOO MUCH into the question. There is a finite number of reasonable solutions, Airbags, new springs, Torklift type device, or some kind spring assist. The answer is going to be one of these.
In a nutshell. All I asked is what have people used/ tried for leveling the back of their truck? What's worked for people who have tried a few different things? Period. Let me say again - period.
Any more you make of that question is completely up to the reader. Read my original post.
The scenarios and potential situations for wanting to level out the rear of a truck are infinite and subjective - are you hauling rocks, dirt, dirt bikes, wood, trailers, hot tubs, ping pong tables, once a day, once week, once a month, once a year, short trip, long trip, in the dark,early morning, in the rain, in the snow, during hurricane season, at dusk, paved road, dirt road, speed bumps, rally cross racing, mojave chase truck...I can go on
My question, if you read only my question and subtract what YOU think I'm asking, you'll find that my question was simple and still is.
Furthermore, duh, if you look and can read you'll see that many people HAVE answered the question without issue!
Some of you are struggling. I recommend you just sit back and not concern yourself.
Based on the answers, I'm likely to go with air bags. Case closed.
Last edited by BACK2GAS; 09-09-2016 at 07:33 PM.
09-09-2016, 03:47 PM
#28
09-09-2016, 03:48 PM
#29
Air bags are great for trucks like mine.
I added a 2" level leaving my rear fender about 1-1.5" higher than the front. AND I have a Payload over 2000lbs.
So if I want to load 1500lbs in the bed but not blind traffic with my headlights then I need some kind of additional suspension support. Air bags, add-a-leaf, timbrens helpers, etc.
I added a 2" level leaving my rear fender about 1-1.5" higher than the front. AND I have a Payload over 2000lbs.
So if I want to load 1500lbs in the bed but not blind traffic with my headlights then I need some kind of additional suspension support. Air bags, add-a-leaf, timbrens helpers, etc.
Thank you for your response. Your answer is exactly what I was looking for.
09-09-2016, 03:49 PM
#30
OP misses the point that forums are not personal message boards where one obtains private recommendations, like emailing a company for product support. Others read questions and answers, and take actions based on them, without knowing things that they should and without understanding context. Providing complete answers, as many tried to do (much to the OP's displeasure), ensures that others understand things like airbags may not be necessary, a wdh will be necessary, etc.
Many vehicle owners don't understand the basics of towing and tow unsafely, putting themselves, their families, and the general public at risk. Some of us try to ensure that people understand what to correctly do, and don't assume that a new poster has knowledge that they haven't said they have.
The OP could have nicely stated "thank you for the information, I plan on waiting until I have the trailer, properly adjusted wdh, don't exceed payload and other capacities, etc. before determining if I need to add airbags to reduce squat" instead of the way he did.
The ignore function of the forum is helpful at times.
Many vehicle owners don't understand the basics of towing and tow unsafely, putting themselves, their families, and the general public at risk. Some of us try to ensure that people understand what to correctly do, and don't assume that a new poster has knowledge that they haven't said they have.
The OP could have nicely stated "thank you for the information, I plan on waiting until I have the trailer, properly adjusted wdh, don't exceed payload and other capacities, etc. before determining if I need to add airbags to reduce squat" instead of the way he did.
The ignore function of the forum is helpful at times.