Air Bags F350?

[Indy Steve]

Hello all! I'm taking delivery of a 2019 F350 next month and wanted to hear other 350 experiences on if you installed air bags on the rear suspension to keep the truck level while towing. We have a 2018 Cougar 311RES fifth-wheel. Pin weight is 2300-2400 lbs. Thanks!

[Vet4jdc]

I just purchased a new F250 SDCC and have towed with it three times. I'm ordering Air-Lift air bags tonight. I'm not disappointed with the towing experience. I just don't like the tow feeling with it full on the overload springs. I can stiffen the handling and get it off the overload (helper) springs with the bags.

[Tbos]

My 2016 DRW squats a little bit. My pin weight is 3260. Unless the money is burning a hole in your pocket see how it does before you buy them.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Tbos

My 2016 DRW squats a little bit. My pin weight is 3260. Unless the money is burning a hole in your pocket see how it does before you buy them. Attachment 17608

X2

We tow a 5er with about a 2,400# pin don’t have bags and don’t even contact the overloads!

[Ken / Claudia]

I have air bags on this and had on last truck. This is what I found. Weight on the overload springs is good. Not all the weight that will cause the rear to be lower and head lights too high, if max'ed out. You will need to find the right amount of air for the best ride. But the best ride is having the front overload spring engaged with the weight and the rear of the spring just on the overload spring at least on my truck. When the overload springs do not carry any weigh you will find the truck rear bounces like a yo-yo. Watch how the truck lowers when hitching up, the rear and front might or just the rear. Be ready to adjust the psi until you find the sweet spot. Ideally level. A few years ago I went from sea level to around 5,000 ft. Ride seemed fine. Return trip I put same psi into the bags and had to stop when we got off the mountains, the truck rear was bouncing way to much, the psi was higher than when I started. Also the air temps went from cool to hot. If you can do it get a gauge and air tank mounted in the truck so you do not need to hook up a pump and be on your knees in a parking lot adjusting them like I do.

[bob91yj]

For what it's worth, I have bags on my 2006 GMC 2500 Dmax. Air bags are infinetley adjustable. I use my truck for a number of things, but almost always have the pop up camper (in the bed) along for the ride. I can't say it's right or wrong, I adjust the pressure in the bags until the overload springs are just off of their slider pads.

I can't say what my airbags are aired up to as it changes with load. On the "con" side I will say that my next set of shocks (currently Bilstein 5100's) will have more rebound dialed in as the air bags can produce a "bouncy" ride quality.

[Dave W]

Don't know the pin weight or suspension you ordered on your new truck so any answer will be maybe.

My last truck was a SBCC F350, pulling a 12K, 35 foot Titanium whih was nose heavy. That truck did not need air bags. Jump ahead, different truck, ab F250CCLB needs air bags to level out. This F250 has the same suspension capacity by actual part number but only 2" rear axle blocks vs the 4" on a 350 so it just touched the overloads.

I like the air bags since they also seem to add stability to the hanling.

My suggestion - try a haul without the bags first. Then if you 5er drops below level or hits the overloads, revisit adding them

[NorskeBob]

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 air bags. I installed t them on our 2005 3500HD and on our 2011 3500HD. Improves the ride and minimizes the sag on the rear. Do not have an on-board compressor. Put the fill connections on the rear bumper area. Put 40# of air in the bags before I hitch up. Would not be without them.

[rick-eureka]

The main difference between the F250 and the f-350 is the secondary springs and brakes. Don't rush out and buy airbags. There is an excellent chance you won't need them. The only air bags that you might need are for the pin. I just installed an air bag pin from Lippert on my F-350. World of difference. Those secondary springs are so stiff bounced truck and trailer. So stiff.

[AbHDToyHauler]

Perhaps the newer trucks are setup better for towing , especially if you buy them from factory setup for fifth wheel hitch etc. My 2018 3500 Gmc lowers maybe 2 inches when I hookup fifth wheel. Tows fantastic so I ended up not adding air bags even though i had "read" that I would need/want them. I agree with above. Buy trailer see how it fits and what happens. If you don't need them why spend money?

[roadglide]

I had firestone 5000 air bags on my 2500 13 duramax the 2500 rolled with out 5000 bags . I up to 2018 1 ton SRW duramax towed with out bags at max pin weigh . I installed the air lift bags with built in bed stop . I felt more comfortable with the the truck. I like the firestone 5000 bags
Load levers better then the air lift bags .

[meaz93*]

And they have built in bump stops so you can run them at 0psi and not have them bottom out metal bracket to frame ....banging around like some Firestone setups.
I have them on my 2014 Max Tow F150 Boost.
Love love love them and I pull a 38' 8900# dry Keystone Outback.
No worries.

[Seven Gable]

I have a 2017 F350 CCSB SRW 6.7L Lariat Ultimate. I ordered it for towing with all the load goodies & creature comforts goodies including spray in bed liner, aluminum roll up tonnou cover, B & W slider hitch, tool boxes, 55 gal fuel tank... It is heavy empty.

I pull a 2017 Cougar 336BHS 12,500# 5th wheel. With 2 teen boys & 2-3 week trips we tow at 21k gross. The truck is at 11,500# ±. The trailer was level but the truck sagged just a little. I was on the overload spring but not a lot. Big bumps in the road were hard. The back of the truck would bounce up & down with the truck then the trailer would do the same when those wheels went over the pavement bumps. Felt like a pogo stick.

After one year I added Air Lift Ult 5000 air bags with internal jounce bumpers. I plumbed them to fill each side individually (to reduce roll). Even with anti sway bars & the one ton springs, the air bags helpped roll stability. But they most importantly reduced the porpoiseing. Big road bumps were smoothed out substantially. If I did not drive so much I might not have tried them. But now I will not drive without them. The wireless air, Air Lift compressor went out over the winter so I was going to do a quick weekend without air in the bags. I turned around after 2 miles (rough country road) and aired them up. Glad I put schrader valves in the bumper.

You may not need them. The truck can handle the trailer. BUT, you may want them to help refine the ride.

As far as air pressure, with the 5th 25 psi is enough most trips. With 2k in the bed & an 8k utility trailer loaded I use 40 psi. 5 psi otherwise.

Good luck.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by meaz93*

And they have built in bump stops so you can run them at 0psi and not have them bottom out metal bracket to frame ....banging around like some Firestone setups.
I have them on my 2014 Max Tow F150 Boost.
Love love love them and I pull a 38' 8900# dry Keystone Outback.
No worries.

Minimum air pressure 5 psi to prevent rubbing and damaging the bag . The bumper inside the air lift bags is design to stabilize the load in case of bag failer .

[wifi_guy]

I have a 2017 F350 platinum with toy package and 5th wheel prep.

My pin weight on our 5th wheel is 3,400lbs. I had about 3 inches of squat. I added the Airlift system. The bags are rated for 5K each. The system comes with a programmable remote.

I love the system. It makes things soooo smooth. You won’t regret getting airbags.

I went down the road without the bags inflated and then inflated them. IMO airbags are a must.

[manonfire1978]

Originally Posted by wifi_guy

I have a 2017 F350 platinum with toy package and 5th wheel prep.

My pin weight on our 5th wheel is 3,400lbs. I had about 3 inches of squat. I added the Airlift system. The bags are rated for 5K each. The system comes with a programmable remote.

I love the system. It makes things soooo smooth. You won’t regret getting airbags.

I went down the road without the bags inflated and then inflated them. IMO airbags are a must.

I have the same set up, 3,020lb. pin weight on my Fuzion, 2017 Lariat F350 SRD. The air bags are a must, made the ride so much better. And the onboard compressor is sweet. I pull a bumper pull sled trailer in the winter which creates more sag and the bags level it right out. Definitely recommend!!

[wifi_guy]

Originally Posted by manonfire1978

I have the same set up, 3,020lb. pin weight on my Fuzion, 2017 Lariat F350 SRD. The air bags are a must, made the ride so much better. And the onboard compressor is sweet. I pull a bumper pull sled trailer in the winter which creates more sag and the bags level it right out. Definitely recommend!!

We have a 2018 Fuzion. I wonder what makes ours heavier.... hmmmm... Do you have the genny package?

[saturn450]

I would wait and try them without first. I have a F350 and mine don’t touch the overload springs with only 10 pounds of air. My pin weight is 3200. My air bags have the stop in them though

[Brantlaker]

When I ordered my 2016 F350 DRW I ordered it with a slide in camper spring option I tow a 2016 Alfa Gold SH that weights in at 19,755 lb and I have no Squat at all and it handles great. The DW and I traveled all over the country and never had any handling problems.

[wifi_guy]

Not sure how much truth there is to this, but bags have to save your socks and leaf springs over time.