Truck is 2003 3500 chassis cab with dump body {mason dump} 12,000 GVW


4300ish front 8600 rear Truck wt. 8400 empty


empty is sit on the helpers.


I never had Air bags. I put springs in all my other trucks. 85% of time my truck is loaded. Are the Air bag for weight carrying of just for a cushy ride. I just need the truck to carry load don't give sh*t about how it rides.

I went with bothhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif I went to Black`s spring in Zanesville and had two springs made for each side, I then installed the 5,000 lb super duty air bags.


They must work, because I had 6300# of sand in the bed, and I had the air bags adjusted to 35 psi in them. The truck sit a tad bit higher in back with that load.


The truck rides like a really heavy duty truck should, no Cadillac ride in this truck.

i have 6000 LBS on the truck a lot only 2400 over

Turfmower, I take it this truck is used for work, right? Get the best springs you can and have a shop install them.. forget the airbags.


Airbags are used in all kinds of really heavy equipment, like 40 to 600 tons. However, in most cases they are designed specific for space and movement, percentage or ratio isn't that great either.


Being a dump truck, your truck with air bags will be more susceptible to movement and failure. Oh yeah, don't forget the lawsuits! I am sure there is some yellow bellied snake out there that would rather persecute an innocent man and make money than let him go. I would have air bags on a 5th wheel but not a dump-truck. I think springs are better for safety and liability reasons, not to mention there cheap, easy and need almost no maintenance.


........... that's just my opinion.


Burner-------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

If your truck is loaded most of the time I would say springs are the way to go.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif Edited by: Blue Max

Turfmower, don't do the air bags, they won't work. My 2001 cab & chassis w/ 11' plumbing utility bed squashed them. The truck weighs in at 11,200#s. I went to a medium/heavy truck center and they said they would change the springs. This would bring the truck back up to ride height. Good luck.

I agree with the above posters, the air springs are fine to air up for occasional heavy loads, such as when towing. If you keep your rig loaded heavy the permanent metal springs are to be prefered, but of course a rough ride when MT is part of the deal.