does any one have air bags in their truck yet? i was thinking about puting them in. if so what kind and how do you like them. i dont do allot of heavy towing its just that when i do load it up(i am in the construction buisness) i dont want to start to worrie about my suspention. my uncle f-250 suspention was spungy when he traded it and i dont want to have that happen to me. also


tires. i know this subject has been beater to death but if i put the green keys in and the air bags in the back could i fit 315's? if not no problem i was just wondering. i would like my truck to sit a little higher.


and is any one running mbrp cool duals? if so how do they sound and how do you like them?


my plan for my truck is to put cab lights on top 5 yellow square lights on the front bumper some fog lights and a visor. then cool duals air bags maybe green keys and a pushbar. should look good i hope

not sure if air bags will work with cool duels or not just a thought


just put my cool duels on this weekend, not use to the sound yet but I think it sounds good, not to loud but you know it's there Edited by: gearhead

I hav the Firestone Airbags and love them. They softened up the ride when empty and level and firm it up just perfect when loaded.

I have Firestone as well and love them.


Note: I installed rear wheel spacers to move the wheels out to track with the front, this allows you to put the bags outside the frame and not under it where it is less stable.


It takes a universal kit if you do this so ignore the application charts.


Greg


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/Picture_029.jpg

I have Air Lift Super Duty Bags on mine. Same kinds of results as others. I'd be willing to venture that both kits are probably about equal. I just went with Air Lift because I got them at a pretty good price. JK has them on his website.


There is another thread addressing the Cool Duals issue, and there was at least one poster that didn't think the Cool Duals would work. Maybe MBRP will chime in here, he was looking to get air bags a while back and has his Cool Duals on his dually, but I didn't hear what his decision was or what the results were.


You will love them if you get them. I keep mine around 10 psi unloaded, and haven't towed my 5er yet with them.


Dennis

Nice truck Max Camper. JJ

I have Firestone as well and love them.


Note: I installed rear wheel spacers to move the wheels out to track with the front, this allows you to put the bags outside the frame and not under it where it is less stable.


It takes a universal kit if you do this so ignore the application charts.


Greg








Spaced the rear wheels outwards?
Do you have a close up picture of the air bag set up?

Mike


Here are two pics, one of the spacers, and one of the airbags. The normal application for these trucks is under the frame in place of the bumpstops. With the spacers it gives the required clearance 7" between the frame and tire to maount theme outside the frame which is more stable. Also the spacers mmake the rear wheels track perfectly with the front making a huge difference especially on rutted roads.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/E6B_Picture_009.jpg


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/Picture_044.jpgEdited by: Diesel Power

I have Firestones on my truck,helped immensely when towing my fiver. I would srongly recommend it. THe stability increase is huge, but not playing "amateur astronomer" when driving at night is pretty nice too.

Gotmine for 220 shipped, seems to be the lowest price I found. Got the Firestones because I liked the mounting setup better. Got them on in about an hour, no problem. Very slick.

Marc

Hey guys


Sorry about the pics being side by side and the side scroll thing (still learning)


Mike, I hope this answered your questions


Greg

I was considering changing out my shocks for either Bilstein's or Rancho's. I tow a heavy fifth wheel (16-18k). Would I be better off with airbags? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif Do they replace the shocks? Trying to gather some intel. Appreciate all replies. JJ http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

JJ, I have the airbags, which do not replace the shocks - they are a separate unit. I towed for one trip with stock shocks and now have bisteins waiting to be installed. They do not have even closeto enough rebound damping for a heavy load. Boing, boing, boing...

Marc

JJ,


You would be better with airbags. If you are really interested in a nicer ride, upgrading your shocks should be in line also. I added air bags and I feel it really improved the stock shock pogo stick ride. It could have been my imagination, but I like it much better than just the stock shocks. They don't replace the shocks but install where the jounce bumper is. I may upgrade shocks later, but right now I'm happy with the setup I have.


Dennis

friends, and customers trucks have had the best luck with firestone and bilstien's, only praise no issues, stock depending on the load they tend to squat a bit.

max camper,


where did you get those wheel spacers? load limit?

One more vote for the air bags. I have Air Lift and have been happy. I would not want to haul the p/u camper without them!

Will the air bags lift your truck at all as far as clearance or do they just get stiffer as you inflat them? Are there in cab controls to inflat/deflat? Also wondering what Green Keys are. Some sort of leveler maybe? Anyone that has cranked their T-bars had any front end problems? Like U-joints/ Ball joints and such. I wish Chevy would go SFA then they would have a great all around truck IMO. Is there any other way to level out the front in if you raise the rear with blocks instead of a full suspension lift. Thanks for the insight.

Yes, airbags lift your truck as you inflate them, but they also make it get progressively stiffer. I drove mine a couple miles unloaded with the airbags at 60 psi and it looked like a retro style hot rod with a huge rake. It alse felt like the axle was attached to the frame with rubber bushings and that's it.

In cab controls are available, I don't have them though. I just got a small 5 gallon air tank that I keep in the bed and fill them as needed. The extra $200 or whatever it is didn't seem to be worth it to me, but I know a lot have it.

Marc

[QUOTE=spooling]


max camper,


where did you get those wheel spacers? load limit





Spooling


I purchased mine at www.performancewheel.com (http://www.performancewheel.com) They are alluminum and 1.5" thick for $185 shipped. they are also available at www.correctrack.com (http://www.correctrack.com) they are made from steel for $360. They both say it does not decrease the GVW of the vehicle however I carry a 5,000 lb camper (all on the axle) and have had no problem.





As far as shock vs. bags I prefer (for carrying a camper)Rancho 9000 because you can adjust the damp. rate up for a load and down when empty and of course the firestone bags with in cab controller which I use for levelling when i dont remove the camper to camp or for qiuck stops.

Sammy, exactly what type of pop-up camper are you towing with that 3/4 ton D/A? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif Sorry, I just couldn't help myself! LOL


Good intel guys. I like MaxCamper's approach given it allows adjustment of both the shocks and airbags depending upon the task at hand. I weighed the rig this weekend since we had loaded up the toy hauler for one of our shows. We're a tad over GCWR at 24,300lbs (4200 lbs front axle; 7100 lbs rear axle; 13,000lbs trailer axles(x3)). That's full of diesel, golf cart in back of TH, show inventory and my fat a$$ in the cab.


When I told Mama JJ we would be over the GVWR on the truck by a couple of hundred pounds when traveling together she suggested I lose some weight and drive naked. Dang woman just gets sweeter with age! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif JJ

JJ


I sure wish my wife would ask me to drive naked http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


That is a lot of weight, I have a long way to go before I flirt with the GCVW (truck,camper and boat only 17k) However I blow the GVW of 9,900 (3500 SRW) out of the water at 13k. I am only over by 3,100 lbs. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif ONLY !!!!!

Sammy, exactly what type of pop-up camper are you towing with that 3/4 ton D/A? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif Sorry, I just couldn't help myself! LOL


Good intel guys. I like MaxCamper's approach given it allows adjustment of both the shocks and airbags depending upon the task at hand. I weighed the rig this weekend since we had loaded up the toy hauler for one of our shows. We're a tad over GCWR at 24,300lbs (4200 lbs front axle; 7100 lbs rear axle; 13,000lbs trailer axles(x3)). That's full of diesel, golf cart in back of TH, show inventory and my fat a$$ in the cab.


When I told Mama JJ we would be over the GVWR on the truck by a couple of hundred pounds when traveling together she suggested I lose some weight and drive naked. Dang woman just gets sweeter with age! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif JJ





Now granted, my little 8.5ft camper does not work the dmax very hard, but at 4,000 pounds loaded, it does put a little stress on the single wheel axle (about 4,200 front axle, 6,900 rear). According to the load range on Michelin 265/E tires, I am within 800 pounds max capacity (400 per tire). But the "ribbing" is well takenhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif I can see where a person would want the dually when getting the larger 10ft+ campers.


http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/408c6510_12928/bc/e7a8/__sr_/6712.jpgphpiiKBBr2EHlCZeEdited by: sammy

Does anyone know a bag system that is compatable with a B&W turnover ball. I am close to giving up and just getting a universal set of bags and winging it.

Does anyone know a bag system that is compatable with a B&W turnover ball. I am close to giving up and just getting a universal set of bags and winging it.



Is that the hitch that is on a curved track?? If so what is the cause of the mounting problem? does the B&W mount in the same place as the bags? If so, would mounting the bags outside the frame help?


If you use the 1.5" wheel spacers it give you the clearance needed to do this.

Sammy, thanks for humoring me on that one! My first camper was a Jayco "pop up", not a pop-in like you have. We had more fun in that dang thing. Bought it for $1100 and sold it two years later for $2200. Sweet! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Is that the hitch that is on a curved track?? If so what is the cause of the mounting problem? does the B&W mount in the same place as the bags? If so, would mounting the bags outside the frame help?


If you use the 1.5" wheel spacers it give you the clearance needed to do this.

It is a gooseneck hitch that has a bracket that attaches on the outside of the frame rails. All bolt on. The one main plate crosses over the top of the axle not leaving a lot of frame side exposed. I'll try to get a picture and post it.

Nice truck Max Camper. JJ


JJ


Sorry I missed this post. How rude of me, THANK YOU though


Greg


P.S. do you have any pics. (I love seeing others rigs and getting ideas)

Is that the hitch that is on a curved track?? If so what is the cause of the mounting problem? does the B&W mount in the same place as the bags? If so, would mounting the bags outside the frame help?



If you use the 1.5" wheel spacers it give you the clearance needed to do this.





Fingers


I went online and viewed a picture of the hitch


That is a tough one!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif My only thoughts are if there is a suitable flat spot where you could mount it over the hitch plate outside the frame, or find someone to fab brackets for you. Maybe you could befriend someone locally that would let you do a stare and compare with the brackets and open a package or two (sometimes hard to find)


Greg










It is a gooseneck hitch that has a bracket that attaches on the outside of the frame rails. All bolt on. The one main plate crosses over the top of the axle not leaving a lot of frame side exposed. I'll try to get a picture and post it.

I can just buy the bags and fab my own brackets, but I would really have prefered to have a pre-fabbed kit.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Unhappy.gif

BTW, that's a nice clean rig you got there.

Fingers


Thank you , and I agree with the pre-fab preference, but when you don't have a choice http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Keep us posted on how it works out.