Air Bags or Not

[woster]

Hey there,

New Laredo 310 RE 5er behind F250. Trailer rides level but truck squats slightly.

Question is whether or not to install air bags.

Thoughts/comments appreciated.

[Javi]

Yeah... I would

[Jables]

Supersprings.

[azlee56]

The BF got airbags and we both have been really happy with them. The main thing is our landing gear is low and it raised it up so they don't hit the bumps and all that, they were really low. The other thing is when I use the truck to put real heavy stuff (like bricks), it really helps.

[SAABDOCTOR]

I'm one of the lucky ones don't need them. But if i did i would want the bags not the springs. that way i can reduce the air and my eyeballs won't bounce so much when the truck is empty

[Poppy's 5th Wheel]

I agree with the others and would definitely like to see the rear of your truck up. It looks like you're a little "steering light" like that. You'll then have to adjust the hitch so that you can get the trailer level again. Hopefully you still have some adjustment left in your hitch to accommodate that and maintain a good 6 inches between the truck rails and the trailer overhang. I went with the Firestones and on board compressor and love it. Congrats on the rig. It looks awesome!

[DJ85]

Do it you won't reget it.

[woster]

Thanks all for the input.

Question though, if hitch pin is directly over rear axle, how would raising the rear end with air bags help with a "steering light" condition? It certainly doesn't feel like it's "steering light". My memory of college physics says there's no difference if vertical load is applied at the fulcrum. I supposed during acceleration some of that load could be applied radially rearward but by raising the pin above the axle would actually increase that force not lessen it. I might be thinking too hard here.

[JRTJH]

Woster,

You're thinking correctly. The only significant thing air bags will do is increase the height of the bed, causing the angle of approach for the front end to be slighlty more horizontal. ie: It will point your headlights down toward the ground rather than up toward the sky. Otherwise, the weight on your rear axle and the transferred weight to the front axle will remain essentially unchanged from your current configuration.

It won't "reduce light steering" but it will make your truck look like it has "less light steering potential"

[warsw]

I would go with the air bags. I think your rear suspension will love you.

You actually have the rear squatted pretty good. I think the addition of air bags will allow the rear suspension to work better and will enhance the ride and the way the truck handles.

It may feel ok to you now but I will bet you will be impressed how much better it all feels with the air bags.

[davidjsimons]

Originally Posted by warsw

I would go with the air bags. I think your rear suspension will love you.

You actually have the rear squatted pretty good. I think the addition of air bags will allow the rear suspension to work better and will enhance the ride and the way the truck handles.

It may feel ok to you now but I will bet you will be impressed how much better it all feels with the air bags.

Ditto


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[concours]

I have used Firestone Riderite bags for many years both on my Titan with a 26' TT and on our 3500 Sierra HD pulling our Cougar 331MKS. The bags eliminate the squat, stop most of the bounce when driving over dips in the road and help prevent spring sag and dammage as the rear axle load is now taken over six points not four. I run with around 25 psi when loaded and use 2 seperate fill valves, I have never used the auto level kit from firestone as a small portable tire compressor works fine.

Hope that helps

[IdahoSRT10]

Another one here for air bags!

Raising the rear of your truck higher will increase weight on the front axle ever so slightly. ( physics/ gravity) Picture raising the rear 45 deg. to see the front get heaver, 90 deg and 100% of the weight will on the front axle.

[SteveC7010]

Just got the trailer out of storage. Does anybody think that I should not be adding a set of airbags to the truck?

[IdahoSRT10]

Originally Posted by SteveC7010

Just got the trailer out of storage. Does anybody think that I should not be adding a set of airbags to the truck?

Looks like you need to raise the 5th wheel about 2"- 3 ", and truck about 1 1/2". Try leveling both while disconnected then take measurments.

Also looks like you have the snow plow front springs so that raised the front of your truck 2 1/2" over stock. (same as my 250)

I raised my 5er 3" to get bed rail clearance (only way to do it and keep things level)

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by IdahoSRT10

Looks like you need to raise the 5th wheel about 2"- 3 ", and truck about 1 1/2". Try leveling both while disconnected then take measurments.

The fifth wheel is already as high as it can be.

Originally Posted by IdahoSRT10

Also looks like you have the snow plow front springs so that raised the front of your truck 2 1/2" over stock. (same as my 250)

Nope, no snow plow package on the truck. It does, however, have the 10K# GVWR option. If you look at the pic in my signature area, the whole thing sits high and level without the trailer.

In the pic, it's not parked on level ground, but the rear end is still clearly squatted a bit more than I'd like. I'll get the tape measure out when the rain stops and start to accumulate some numbers.

[IdahoSRT10]

Steve, I raised a friends Cougar 5th wheel and it was rather easy DIY. (2" spring blocks and longer U-bolts)
The pic is my 5th with 2" blocks. I can custom make any height needed but 3" IMO is the max. for safety reasons.

Rear Leaf Spring Drop/Lift Block Kits can be bought @ Jegs or Summit racing

[azlee56]

I love your truck and rv and do you want to give me the house?!!

[CampJKL]

+1 for airbags. Even with my dually, I appreciate having the ability to vary the ride depending on my load.

I have the Airlift Loadlifter 5000. Only issue thus far was failure of the one way valve (installed in 2008) which Airlift quickly replaced for free. No questions asked... Customer service is great.

[PerryB]

The airbags are too easy and versitile NOT to install, in my opinion. Firestone #2535. Bolts straight in, no drill.