Community Forums

ncason · 08-06-2006, 03:41 PM

I have searched under "air bags" and kinda/sorta have decided that I want to add this system to Bill's truck. I really hate the way it rides. It better when we are towing the 5vr, but empty it rides like a "truck".

Please let me know which brand you like best and what kind of price I can expect.

THANK YOU !!!

Nancy

ncason · 08-06-2006, 03:41 PM

I have searched under "air bags" and kinda/sorta have decided that I want to add this system to Bill's truck. I really hate the way it rides. It better when we are towing the 5vr, but empty it rides like a "truck".

Please let me know which brand you like best and what kind of price I can expect.

THANK YOU !!!

Nancy

Roam America · 08-07-2006, 04:34 AM

I have the Firestone Ride Rite bags. They were a snap to install. Took me all of an hour. It did help the ride a bit, but I did it mostly so the truck sits level when the 5er is hooked up.
Mine rides like a "caddy" with the 5er hitched or a ton of gravel in it. When empty it ride like a truck. But then it is a truck.

ncason · 08-07-2006, 02:07 PM

Thanks, K-Star. The rig is already level when towing. I am really looking for something that will improve the ride when the truck is not loaded. As stated prior when pulling the 5vr the ride improves. Some other threads indicated that the ride would improve overall.
Nancy

Buzzcut · 08-07-2006, 02:35 PM

I second the Firestone bags as well. As stated, the install was easy and I really liked the stability that they offered.

Sandman · 08-07-2006, 02:37 PM

Some claim that
Velvet-Ride Suspension Shackles

Smooth things out...

David C · 08-07-2006, 09:15 PM

I went with the Firestone units also. When truck is empty, the airbags with only 10psi air gives a little bit softer "cushion" to the springs' actions. But reducing the tire pressure in rear when empty is really the key. I reduce them to 45-50psi and carry a 12V airpump in case I need to increase pressure to add a load.
When towing I increase the rear tires to 65-psi and raise pressure in the airbags to about 35psi.

Roam America · 08-08-2006, 11:30 AM

yup. 10 pounds is all I run them at. When towing I increase it to 20 pounds. To clarify my comment. I originally put them in to level the truck when towing. The better ride solo was an added, and welcome, benefit that I had not expected.

Check RVUpgrades.com for pricing.

gearman · 08-27-2006, 05:10 AM

I went with Firestone air bags, very happy with them, yes they probably alter the emtpy ride, but not by much. They did greatly improve the loaded ride and with a change in air pressure can customize your ride to your liking.

If your really after a car like ride empty, better upgrade the stock ford springs for a true air supention, which will bite into the wallet a bit.

Happy camping.

kampinguru · 09-18-2006, 08:40 AM

I have the Ride-rite airbags with the Commander II in cab controller. I run about 10-15 albs when empty, and it makes the truck much more stable. I will second the poster who said to change the tire pressure when empty. This smooths out the ride considerably. 40-45 psi is what I run empty and this softens the ride quite a bit.

sjseng · 09-23-2006, 07:18 AM

Overall I am happy with the Firestone Ride Rite rear air bags. I included the compressor kit with gauge in the cab. It has a very slow air leak that goes a little faster with a load, so I can monitor it while on a long trip. It improved the ride when towing our 33' 5er, even my wife notices the difference in the passenger seat. Doesn't rock and bounce as much. I measured the rear bumper before and after the install. At 75 or 80 psi, the rear bumper came up 4".

My only problem was with the installation. The rear springs on the F250 are at an angle to the ground. The bottom mounting base bolted on here. The top bracket got bolted on the frame paralell with the ground. This made it not even when traveling up and down. The front edge would have a longer measurement than the rear edge. The next day we left for Dumont Dunes, so I couln't have him work on it then. But brought it back as soon as we returned. He changed the spacers so the front bottom bracket is higher. It helped, but not perfect and now it doesn't line up straight up and down. Can't change the top braked because the holes are already drilled. Any help anyone? So I guess watch out for this.

[img]http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6%3DzqH%3AxxqUD7qRUrKxzX7BHpUUKx gXPol%3F87KR6xqpxQQGJxnaQxJG0xv8uOc5xQQQoeQ0PoeGoJ qpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPol%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442[/img]