towing upgrades

rocnrol · May 4, 2015

I've started my upgrades on my new truck, and the first one was made to help with the towing. I have some other threads going for how the truck is working for me so far. i added a set of air bags on sat, still need to hook up to the trailer and see what, if any difference they made,

the air valves

bcazier · May 5, 2015

Why bags on a 2500? I just upgraded to a diesel to avoid the bags I had in my 1500...

Cowpie · May 5, 2015

Bags are always nice. They take some of the shock out on rough roads, keep things nice and level, and are an overall better driving experience. Ever wonder why commercial semi trucks ride on air bags, tractor and trailer? I would have it no other way.

rocnrol · May 5, 2015

Why bags on a 2500? I just upgraded to a diesel to avoid the bags I had in my 1500...

Have a read on this thread, it'll explain why I've installed them:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/171768-towing-stock-tires/?fromsearch=1

avalonandl · May 6, 2015

Which Air bag kit did you install. Any tricks? I had Firestones on my Avalanche 2500 with the leaf spring set up and it made a TON of difference

rocnrol · May 7, 2015

Avalon, I used a Firestone ride rite kit. It's pretty straight forward install, bout the only trick was using the Schrader's to hold the plate instead of drilling holes for them. It's good to hear it helped you with towing.

BigBadSierra · May 7, 2015

I had them on my Colorado's. I had the off road package and they would drop 4 inches the second I put the popup on...

I also had fun camping once when the camper had settled from allot of rain and when I hooked back up to the truck I couldn't raise the trailer enough to get the swing bar up. The guy next door laughed at me and said now you're in trouble.

So I jumped in the truck and lifted the rear with the bags got out put the swing bar up. Then looke dover at the guy and laughed who looked all amazed now and I said What your van doesn;t do that... ha ha..

The bags greatly improve the ride while towing.

sahls01gmc · May 7, 2015

Why bags on a 2500? I just upgraded to a diesel to avoid the bags I had in my 1500...

What does a diesel have to do with ride quality?

bcazier · May 7, 2015

Two Part Answer:

My comment was in reference to getting an HD truck for the extra suspension capabilities and not needing airbags to tow our TT.

But, my experience so far was as expected and the HD rides rougher. Maybe some new shocks would help this?

avalonandl · May 7, 2015

It really smoothed out the ride when towing the boat over michigan's wonderfully pot holed roads.....

alchrist3 · May 15, 2015

I loved my bag on my 2011 2500hd helped a ton when it tows a tung heavy trailer. I have a 6 x 12 dump trailer and with 5 tons of gravel she squated bad but not when I put my bags in!! I had air lift bags with the compressor mounted in the other battery spot under the hood.