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Old 10-15-2019, 01:55 PM   #1
Brantlyj
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Airbags

What are the deciding factors when choosing to add airbags to your TV? I notice most all with FW’s have them. But what about TT’s?

My truck and trailer sit perfectly level as is with the Equilizer hitch. Ride is pretty good I guess but as this is my first TT I ha e nothing to compare it too. For work I routinely haul upwards of 3000 lbs and it’s barley on the overload spring. Rides well for the weight and minimal rocking due to the sway bar and Load Range E tires.
I posted about undulating effect on certain sections of road. The condenses seems to be that it happens and I have to live with it.

So would I benefit at all from airbags? I read another thread about Sumo Springs.

As an aside do Sumo Spring and Morryde suspension accomplish the same thing? Is one better than the other?
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Old 10-15-2019, 02:12 PM   #2
Brantlyj
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As a follow-up if I put in bags do i need to readjust my WD hitch as the back end would no longer squat as much as it did before?
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Old 10-15-2019, 02:39 PM   #3
Northofu1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantlyj View Post
As a follow-up if I put in bags do i need to readjust my WD hitch as the back end would no longer squat as much as it did before?
I had airbags in my 1500 sierra with my existing trailer. My truck didn't squat but it was a little spongy on bad roads. with around 25lbs of air it stiffened up the rear end nicely. I added the air after attaching the bars.
It rode nicely.
Funny, the leaf spring broke in Dayton and my pantry shelves were smashed on highway 69 in Mi with the 2500. grrrr
C'est la vie
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Old 12-08-2019, 10:39 PM   #4
RamNspringdalE
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I have a ‘13 Ram 1500 tow vehicle I put the in coil air bags in it. Our trailer is a Springdale 220BHWE, did the first tow with just bags and at 40psi and towed it pretty good. Got a WD hitch and towed the trailer 5psi in bags pretty much the same route and liked the feel of the first tow better. Then towed again similar route with WD hitch and 30 PSI in bags and that seemed to be the best. Truck well loaded and trailer not near capacity and only 1/3 of a fresh water tank all trips.
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Old 12-09-2019, 02:18 PM   #5
Ken / Claudia
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Here's what I found on only 2 vehicles with airbags. A f250, 1996 and a F350, 2002.
When a really heavy load is engaging the overload springs the ride gets rougher than went not. I found that using airbags with enough air to have the load just resting on the overloads or showing just the rear bump stops engaged. The ride was not as rough. I would use around 20 psi to get that and felt it the best ride. In my example the rear bumper would only move upwards an inch or so. It was not correcting a rear end dip with headlights aimed too high.
At times I have carried a heavier load in the bed of the f350. I would still raise the overload springs to carry some weight, not all.
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Old 12-09-2019, 05:25 PM   #6
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Your first post indicated that you sit perfectly level when all hooked up, This tells me you don't need to do or add anything. Why spend money on options that have little value and are subject to failure.

You would never be happy with the Sumo springs, once you engage them the ride really stiffens up. The people who use and like them carry a lot of weight and they are an economical way to keep the headlights down.

If you are seriously considering air bags remember that most installations require the removal of the factory bump stops, so get the air bags with the internal bump stops. Properly inflated air bags can help smooth out the roughest of roads by preventing bottoming out of the stock suspension. With the air bags on my truck, empty, I carry 5psi, loaded they go to 20psi (without adding air) and I have a level ride. I have encountered some bad potholes along the way and they seriously help with the hit.
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Old 12-09-2019, 05:39 PM   #7
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I prefer the airbags as I use them to raise the hitch quickly. I have an on-board air system, compressor and tank for the airbags and air horns. I installed a switch and gauges in the driver's area and at the back of the truck bed. Makes raising the ball in the coupler quick and easy and when raising the chains on the bars I can unload the tension instantly. Can't do that with Sumo's.

If you use the airbags to raise the rear end to level it then you are defeating the purpose of the WDH. Using it this way will not allow the bars to do their job of distributing the tongue weight over front and rear axles, possibly leading to overloading the rear axle.
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