First post on this board, came over from another site. Been driving diesels for 27yrs. My question, wouldn't the "Ride Control" air bags be sufficiant, if I don't need to pack beyond 2000#s above my spring capacity. I ask this question because their design should be smother operating than the double bellow "Super Duties"? I'm worried that the "Super Duties may limit spring travel in either direction, I have a set of SD's but have hesitated putting them on for this reason, They do not seem to have a broad range of movement? Thanks in advance

 

Why spend money on new bags? I have the large on mine and it allows plenty of travel as I keep them at about ten pounds when not towing.

 

If you are 2000 pounds beyond your spring capacity are you sure Super Duty is enough?

 

Air bags should be closely matched or slightly over your truck's weight capacity. What you are doing with the airbags is leveling the truck when loaded, so the rear does not sag. If the rear suspension is capable of carrying 3klb, and you are attempting to level a 3k load with 2k air bags, one of 3 situations will arise:
1) Nothing will go wrong - best possible case, and this may happen several times, until #2 or 3 happens
2) You will not level the load at max air bag pressure, causing sway, up/down motion that gets you out of control & into an accident and/or injures someone.
3) You could over pressurize the bags on a bump & burst one or both. If you are going down the road, this could be dangerous to you, your occupants, and others.

Yes, the bags are probably designed with a 2x or 3x safety factor...why risk anyone's safety for a few hundred dollars?

I would sell the current set of air bags on ebay or craigslist and buy a new set of superduty's.

HTH

Tony

 

Great points, Truck is already tail high by about 2 ", so I can add some load to a point it sits level, then the air bags would be required to level out the rest of the load (weight), My main concern is bag "A" vs bag "B" ride factor, Very good point about loosing one of the small bags under load (I would think more of a chance vs the Large bags) Yes I already own the SD's, but there is no problem with exchange from my supplier if that is rthe road chosen. guess I will give it some more thought, Thanks

 

i know this is an old post but im fed up w/ current setup and i would like to propose the same question tardog is bag A vs bag B ride factor... fed up w/ current setup

 

I am going with a full air ride...that can control and keep my truck level when I put on the goose-neck or trailer or the 5th wheel....it keep the trailer from dragging and the swaying stops..and as soon as you are empty..you ride like a caddy..you have to get rid of springs and different mounts are made for the rearend...and you use a set of traction bars plus a sway bar made for the air ride...also this is on a 2wd not a 4wd..but I guess you could do the same thing..I have seen the setup..but the guy always wants to raise the truck...so it also keeps the leaf springs