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03-03-2015, 06:55 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: S. E. Michigan
Posts: 38
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Air Bags or Helper/Stabilizer Springs?
We have a Chev 2500HD to pull our 34' fiver. Our first long trip was last fall and I had several cars flash their lights at me when driving at night, making me think my front end is being tipped up with the trailer on. Am thinking about putting either air bags (probably Firestone Ride Rites) or Roadmaster Active suspension springs on.
Any advice - pro's and con's about either system?
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Keep rollin' along!
2009 Cardinal 31SB; 2014 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab with Curt 16K Rolling Hitch
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03-03-2015, 07:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL/Helen, GA
Posts: 1,566
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You'd be served well by an air ride suspension on the rear. It'll level your lights, and improve braking and handling. And the price is right at around $250, not including any compressor (if needed.)
I recently put AirRide rear air bags on my F250 myself. They were easily installed in my driveway.
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03-03-2015, 07:57 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: S. E. Michigan
Posts: 38
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Bamaman - Did you mean Air Lift (not Air Ride)?
Thanks
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Keep rollin' along!
2009 Cardinal 31SB; 2014 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab with Curt 16K Rolling Hitch
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03-03-2015, 11:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,312
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I pulled a similar trailer with a 98 2500 GM and it carried it very well. Your spring must be weak. One more ply added at a spring shop would fix my truck. Maybe your light are actually high.
But I had a heavy diesel.
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Barbara and Laurent, Hartland Big Country 3500RL. 39 ft long and 15500 GVW.
2005 Ford F250 SD, XL F250 4x4, Long Box, 6.0L Diesel, 6 Speed Stick, Hypertech Max Energy for Fuel mileage of 21 MPusG empty, 12.6 MPusG pulling the BC. ScangaugeII for display..
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03-04-2015, 08:17 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wherever we are
Posts: 4,288
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I am having the Roadmaster Active Suspension installed on my 450 tomorrow--in place of the Timbrens I've used for over 150k miles. Little pricey, but the Tiimbrens are just TOO stiff on most bumps. After using it for some miles, will report if I think it was worth it.
Joe
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'16 40QBH Phaeton
'21 Sahara HA toad
'15 38RSSA Mobile Suites--traded
'05 36TK3 Mobile Suites--retired but not forgotten
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03-04-2015, 08:59 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,346
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Air bags are great for ride improvement but IMHO if your rear is lower than your front you need more truck not a bandaid!
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03-10-2015, 01:04 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: S. E. Michigan
Posts: 38
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I've been thinking about this for a while, and I am not looking to increase the load capacity of my truck, but to help keep it level while towing. It seems reasonable to me that if the truck is level when empty, it would "squat" a little when a load is put on it. If the load were placed midway between axles, I imagine it would stay level, but with all the load on the rear axle, isn't it normal for the nose to tip up?
Thanks for your comments.
__________________
Keep rollin' along!
2009 Cardinal 31SB; 2014 Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab with Curt 16K Rolling Hitch
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03-10-2015, 01:35 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaybe
I've been thinking about this for a while, and I am not looking to increase the load capacity of my truck, but to help keep it level while towing. It seems reasonable to me that if the truck is level when empty, it would "squat" a little when a load is put on it. If the load were placed midway between axles, I imagine it would stay level, but with all the load on the rear axle, isn't it normal for the nose to tip up?
Thanks for your comments.
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Pickup trucks Don't sit "LEVEL" unloaded! Properly loaded they should sit level. If rear is lower when towing you need more truck!
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03-10-2015, 05:36 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Spicewood, Tx
Posts: 708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cummins12V98
Pickup trucks Don't sit "LEVEL" unloaded! Properly loaded they should sit level. If rear is lower when towing you need more truck!
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You are right, they don't sit level. But the headlights are aimed with the truck empty, so any load will affect them. And if the headlights are a problem for other drivers, then they can be adjusted for the added loading. More info is needed to determine if the truck is overloaded.
I prefer air bags, more adjustability.
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Larry Day, Texas Baptist Men volunteer
'13 Silverado LT 3500HD D/A CCSB 2wd, custom RKI bed
'19 Starcraft Telluride 292RLS
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03-10-2015, 06:23 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,539
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You don't mention which year or configuration your 2500 is and there can be quite a difference in weight carrying capacity depending on how it is configured and optioned. Assuming you have enough capacity to carry your passengers, cargo, fuel and the 2000 pound pin weight of your trailer then you may have worn out springs or simply need to adjust your headlights. Without more details and a pic of how it sits when hooked up it is impossible to give a solid answer.
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03-10-2015, 06:24 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,663
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut60
I am having the Roadmaster Active Suspension installed on my 450 tomorrow--in place of the Timbrens I've used for over 150k miles. Little pricey, but the Tiimbrens are just TOO stiff on most bumps. After using it for some miles, will report if I think it was worth it.
Joe
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I looked the website and it does not list anything for a F450. What kit are you using?
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2008 F450, 2016 Outdoors RV Glacier Peak 26 RKS
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03-10-2015, 06:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Evergreen Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 417
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Get the Ride Rites and ride level
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Keith & Drena with Casey & P-nut (dogs) & Gabby (cat)
2014 Silverado 3500HD Dually 4X4
2014 Evergreen Bay Hill 365rl
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03-10-2015, 07:15 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wherever we are
Posts: 4,288
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Rickeoni,
There is a long story on this--I asked Roadmaster if they could fit a 450 and was told it would, "as they have installed them before on 450s" The shop I was using was a regular installer of the units, and they advertise them in the office--this is where I picked up on them and made the decision to try them, after being assured by Roadmaster that it would work. Well, after 2 separate tries, it would not fit my truck. The spring eye is too large for the hook bracket to securely fit around--difficulty in getting the bracket on and then it would pop off at the least movement. Long story short--no, they cannot fit an '08-'10 F450. I was out only about 6 hours time, but the shop was out about 4 hours of their labor--don't know how that will be settled.
It sounds good, looks good, but just won't work on one of the 'real' 450s. Don't consider it.
Well, on to AirLift or RideRite, maybe Tofklift even.
Joe
__________________
'16 40QBH Phaeton
'21 Sahara HA toad
'15 38RSSA Mobile Suites--traded
'05 36TK3 Mobile Suites--retired but not forgotten
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03-10-2015, 07:25 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,245
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I used air bags on some of my one ton DRW trucks that were in commercial hauling service to level the load. Some didn't need any suspension help.
Some of my one ton 4wd trucks sit level and sag with a load so bags were a great way to level the truck and not blind oncoming drivers.
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'03 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 3.73 NV5600 Jacobs
'98 3500 DRW 454 4x4 4.10 crew cab
'97 Park Avanue RK 28' 2 slides
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