Air Bags on 3500? Pros & Cons - Page 2 - Dodge Diesel

kb7kuh · 11-02-2009, 12:10 PM

I have the Firestones on my 07 3500 and when the fifth wheel on they work great! Before installing them the truck sat on the overload springs and it was a rough ride.

supr · 11-02-2009, 02:22 PM

What was the pin weight of your 5th wheel? Did you lose some 5thwheel/bed clearance with the bags?

kb7kuh · 11-02-2009, 02:57 PM

I think the pin or hitch weight is 2635, but the clearance seems to be the same. It does ride better and the rear suspension is working better due to not setting on the over load spring. I only run 50 to 60 psi in the bags.

catmando · 11-03-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMX-1

I've got the Firestones as well.

Empty weight my 3500 rides much nicer than 2500. Loaded its even better. I got mine as a dealer installed option when I bought my truck last year so I'm not sure on the exact price but $200 to $250 sounds about right. I told them why I was buying it and they highly recommended them. They included the chrome full length step bars with the Firestone kit for about $1500 total.

Bottom line: the horrible ride is gone and my kidneys aren't in my back pockets or my throat anymore.

-K

My experience is the exact opposite of yours. My Ride Rites made my truck ride much worse than before. I wish I had known about this spring before I spent $800 on these friggin bags;

http://mrtruck.net/springs.htm

HMX-1 · 11-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmando

My experience is the exact opposite of yours. My Ride Rites made my truck ride much worse than before. I wish I had known about this spring before I spent $800 on these friggin bags;

http://mrtruck.net/springs.htm

What pressure are you running them at?

Kris

FiverBob · 11-03-2009, 08:20 AM

My pinweight is 3240 - - no air bags. I also carry a 50 gallon aux tank/tool box. Total weight hooked and ready to roll is 100 pounds under the GVWR of the truck and I am level. If I loaded more it would exceed the ratings of the truck. So, why air bags? I did have them on my 2500 to carry my slide in that was 4000 pounds, but did not use them on this dually with the camper (before installing the aux tank. Seems if you need air bags on a 3500 you have exceeded the ratings on the truck. What am I missing????

Bob

kb7kuh · 11-03-2009, 10:00 AM

I run 5 pounds of air in the bags when empty.

surfram · 11-03-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter11

I use Timbrens on my truck. They don't touch the axle until I hookup the trailer and they really improved the ride and keep the truck and trailer level. Took about 15 minutes to install them.

Timbrens work great for me. Mine are installed without the optional spacers and do not engage until you put a decent load on:

corliss · 11-03-2009, 01:16 PM

I have the Pacbrake air bags, no drilling, they are simple to install, they must be, i did them myself. The key part is the in cab inflation, I can adjust the amount of air in the bags from the drivers seat, as road conditions change I can add or remove air to attain the best ride. When I go and get a load of gravel I just hit the air up switch for a sweet ride home and dump the air when I dump the load. They are a real plus with the camper on, less sway and a smooth ride. Don't know of any downsides.

annabelle · 11-03-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmando

My experience is the exact opposite of yours. My Ride Rites made my truck ride much worse than before. I wish I had known about this spring before I spent $800 on these friggin bags;

http://mrtruck.net/springs.htm

Mine only cost about $250.00 from Summit Racing(Firestones).

11-02-2009, 12:10 PM	#16
kb7kuh Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 29 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I have the Firestones on my 07 3500 and when the fifth wheel on they work great! Before installing them the truck sat on the overload springs and it was a rough ride. __________________ Don 2007 Ram3500 HD 4X4 CTD 6.7L 2007 Raptor 3612 DS Rigid Chassis Drag Banshee 130+ Hp SandWarrior Racing

11-02-2009, 02:22 PM	#17
supr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 852 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	What was the pin weight of your 5th wheel? Did you lose some 5thwheel/bed clearance with the bags? __________________ 2002 3500 4x2 QC SLT/Laramie HO 6 Speed/4.10 LS, camper/trailer grp, Silver;Bilsteins;K&N;Vulcan Kit, DiProcol FP, Boost, & Pyro,GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor tires, 20k PullRite, 36' Alfa Ideal, 13k, 32' Mobil Scout, 18' 12k Uttility trailer

11-03-2009, 08:20 AM	#21
FiverBob Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 2,249 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	My pinweight is 3240 - - no air bags. I also carry a 50 gallon aux tank/tool box. Total weight hooked and ready to roll is 100 pounds under the GVWR of the truck and I am level. If I loaded more it would exceed the ratings of the truck. So, why air bags? I did have them on my 2500 to carry my slide in that was 4000 pounds, but did not use them on this dually with the camper (before installing the aux tank. Seems if you need air bags on a 3500 you have exceeded the ratings on the truck. What am I missing???? Bob __________________ 2003 3500 Laramie Doolie HO 6 Speed, 4.10 LS, Tow Pkg, Line-X, Air Safe 25K hitch, Jordan Brake Controller, RDS In-Bed Fuel tank/tool box combo, Jacobs Brake, Bremen boards, pyro, Fuel Pressure, RamAir III Carriage Fifth Wheel, 36', Triple Slide, Sat, 6.5 Onan Marquis Gold genny, ProSine 2000w inverter, MORryde IS suspension, MORryde rubber kingpin

11-03-2009, 01:16 PM	#24
corliss Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I have the Pacbrake air bags, no drilling, they are simple to install, they must be, i did them myself. The key part is the in cab inflation, I can adjust the amount of air in the bags from the drivers seat, as road conditions change I can add or remove air to attain the best ride. When I go and get a load of gravel I just hit the air up switch for a sweet ride home and dump the air when I dump the load. They are a real plus with the camper on, less sway and a smooth ride. Don't know of any downsides. __________________ 04.5 Laramie, 3500 QC/SB 4X4 auto, 2" levelling kit, rear air springs with in cab controls, Pacbrake PRXB exhaust brake with air compressor, air horn, 35" BFG's on H2 wheels and a Kodiak slide in camper.

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11-02-2009, 02:57 PM	#18
kb7kuh Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 29 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I think the pin or hitch weight is 2635, but the clearance seems to be the same. It does ride better and the rear suspension is working better due to not setting on the over load spring. I only run 50 to 60 psi in the bags.

11-03-2009, 10:00 AM	#22
kb7kuh Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 29 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I run 5 pounds of air in the bags when empty.