Bought a new truck and it came with bags, I usually keep them at 10 lbs so the bags have some air in them, and the ride is pretty smooth without a load
you're not mentioning 1 critical factor - that is where is the load placed in relation to the rear axle - directly over it or behind it... air bags can help with leveling and that's good but even with air bags or helper springs or even a equalizing hitch, is also mostly about not exceeding your tow vehicle's weight carrying /towing/payload capacities to be legal, safe and not risk insurance companies leaving one high and dry in case of an accident...
Air bags will not transfer weight to the front axle. It will level the truck and keep your headlights level. You need a weight distribution hitch to transfer weight. Air bags will help carry the load but will not increase the vehicle max payload on your door sticker
You may be correct.... but by the nature of science, you have a more distributed weight no matter what. Probably not what he says, "help you carry more", but rather, "help you haul to your truck's max capacity. (Via standard hitch.)"
It would give a better ride and prevent role also give you more stability on the capacity of the vehicle. This is called assist. You could also go to heavier shocks or add a leaf spring witch I have seen done. On 1500 trucks they generally give you a softer ride. But adding just airbags can give you a more stable ride as well as a comfortable ride. My camper has a distribution hitch but it might still have a slite sag so with bags I can find tune the level of the truck. Usually about 20 to 30 lbs. In my case maybe a 1/2 " rise. Stability and comfort is what I notice. And it will help your suspension so it does not have to do all the work.
Semi trucks, generally used for hauling heavy loads daily, use air bags on the drive axles and the cab. Also on the trailer axles. So it would stand to reason, if you're going to tow/haul things with your p/u truck, adding air bags would increase ride quality and add longevity to springs, bushings, and general drive train components. I can say for sure, theyll be on every p/u I own from here on out. Night and day difference in the towing/ hauling experience.
Lots of numbers to compare, like the aluminum F150 frees-up 700 pounds of payload, the light weight 9,800 pound Grand Design 150 Series trailer weighs a lot less than a big fifth wheel, and finally the turbocharged engine behind a 10 speed makes everything work. We're 900 lbs. under GVWR.
If you’re bumper pulling and “need” air bags to solve squat, what you NEED is a weight distribution hitch. Air bags do not transfer any where near the weight back to the front that you need for proper steering control. 5th/goose trailer, sure, bag it if you can’t stand the squat. There’s a video out on the tube where they scaled a truck with bags and with WD hitch. WD hitch wins.
Thanks for the info. I'm trying to tow a 6600 pound trailer with a 5.4 Triton V8 and I'm getting conflicting information all over the Internet. You really helped me to decide to go ahead and get these airbags installed to help the towing
This information is inaccurate. Airbags don't distribute weight back into the front axle and don't increase towing or payload capacity. The benefit of airbags is to increase stability and comfort under heavy loads. Only a weight distribution hitch can help with transferring weight back to the front axle.
His pickup also had obviously modified suspension. Normal stock vehicle, it does not do that. Towing with a modified suspension isn’t great on the best of days.
This dude looks exactly like what i would expect someone to look like that drivesa truck with crazy wide wheels and rubber band tires. I can see that the modern Ab Lincoln bear is in..
I have an F-250 and the combined weight of the trailer and the 67 Camaro I tow is about 6500 lbs. I have a weight distribution unit I used for a couple of years. I change to quality airbags only and the ride is so much smoother with zero sway. The truck sits better and drives better with the trailer. I sold the weight distribution system and am completely happy with the setup. Each setup is different.
Assuming you have a bumper pull, that was a mistake. Airbags don't distribute any weight back into the front axle. All they do is give stability and add comfort while towing. Because the airbags are between the rear axle and frame, and the weight is behind the axle at the bumper, the airbags actually act as a fulcrum and take more weight off the front. It should be used in conjunction with a weight distribution system.
I have airbags on my 2021 GMC elevation and just keep 5 lbs in them when not pulling my camper. It rides the same as if I didn't have them on. I think it depends on the truck. As you know 1500's in general give a softer ride so having airbags in my book is a benefit. But like everthing you have to experience it. And pulling my camper that has a tongue of 600lbs I notice a sizable difference. In ride and handling in the stearing. My sag after putting my distribution hitch is about 3/4". So I can find tune the sag to factory level front and back. But you decide. For me I love them. The truck suspension gets a break especially on long trips. PS: I fill them individually because the weight is usually not the same example the gas tank is on one side and the driver .you may be alone. Usually a gallon of gas is about 7lbs and if you have a 24 gallon tank well you figure the math. Il save you the trouble 168 lbs. And some have 36 gallon tanks! 252 lbs. You get the idea.PSS: When I'm on the road I have portable battery pump that will fill one bag in about 20 seconds at 35 psi. Really quick because there is not much volume like a tire. The pump is a oak& iron. It works fantastic . And you can charge it in your truck with a USB cord. It so happens it takes the same connection as my android phone. You keep it in your glove box and just pull it out when you need it.. Comes in a pouch has 2 14" air hoses one you screw on the other quick connect. But there are a bunch out there so it's up to you.It will keep a full charge for up to 400 days but have not experience that yet. Just keep it charged in the truck or campground and your good to go.The on board pumps they sell are costly and being on the truck all the time well I don't know how reliable they would be over the long hall. Lol but to each there own on that.
I have a Ford F350 that's lifted with overload springs and I would like to add airbags to pull a 32' equipment trailer. I took it to my local 4x4 shop and they said they didn't have Airlift bags big enough for the u-bolts to properly fit my truck. Can you recommend a brand that'll fit super lifted trucks? I appreciate your help!
That sounds dangerous. I know this is years old, but are you over your GVWR? I could be wrong, but I don't believe an F-150 can or should tow most fifth wheels. That's a whole lot of payload and weight behind the truck.
You actually should get a weight distribution system. Preferable one that has sway control, such as a 4-point weight distribution hitch. This video is actually wrong on certain points. Airbags don't increase tow capacity and don't distribute weight back into the front axle. It can actually make it a little worse. However, airbags do help with stability and comfort, especially at highway speeds. So you should use both, but you definitely should use a weight distribution system regardless. I encourage you to do some research on it too to better your understanding of it.
Please test the air connections before you try to install. Mine leaked at the brass fitting insert that goes into the plastic end cap (yup they are plastic if you order them thru any online retailer). That cannot be repaired and I doubt you’d see any bubbles if you sprayed a soapy solution when installed. Called the company and they want you to submit an online request. They are not willing to overnight a replacement to a brand new defective part. Their warranty on a brand new product is too slow if you are planing a time to do the install. Makes me wonder what would happen if you’re on the road and there is a warranty issue. Ah sir, go on line and submit a request, while your truck suspension is out of service? Be aware.
I am planning to sell out and get a big camper a Destination Trailer: but I have a 1500 1/2 tun ram . Will this help want to travel between new England and Florida
No, but they are nice if you haul stuff instead of treat your truck like a car. No engine brakes for dummies though. Wet pavement 70 mph, empty pickup. Nows the time to test the engine brake😂 you spin me right round baby right round😅
Where at in the video did it say that Airbags increase your cargo capacity? Curious as I am the person in the video. This video was created to give a brief run down of air bags on trucks for hauling. I used to run a trucking company my friend. Would love to discuss further with you if you'd like to Chris. Have a great day man!
@@nextlevelglen He said it's going to allow you to have "heavier loads hooked up to your receiver hitch". That clearly means that he is implying that they allow you to run a heavier tongue weight than what you would already have which affects your cargo capacity, like if my max cargo was 1500lbs for my truck and I was already at that without airbags. (lets say 500lbs of people and 1000lbs of hitch weight). He now says I can have a heavier load, aka the trailer. So let's say I can now put an extra 1000lbs in my trailer (not exceeding its GVWR of course) and that means it adds another 100-150lbs (10-15% which is what is recommended) to my tongue weight and put me over that 1500lbs I was previously at.....1600-1650lbs cargo capacity being exerted on the tow vehicle.
