Poll: Air Bags Or Springs?

aedwards56 · February 4, 2008

Towing a small fifth wheel with an 08 GMC 1500 Z71. Towing will be a smaller percentage of usage for the truck (summers are short here) and be mostly for short distances. However I'm getting fed up with my headlights aiming up at the oncoming traffic so I want to level the truck out.

Currently considering Firestone Air Bags (they have a no-drill installation for my truck) or the Supersprings articulated helper springs. Anybody have any experience with either? Thoughts, comments, suggestions or another option I haven't thought of? The air bags are cheaper but only if I don't install an onboard compressor. Otherwise, they are about the same so cost is not really an issue.

Thanks.....Alan

overkill · February 4, 2008

I would go with the bags. I have them on my truck and love them. You can air them up when you need them and let them back down when you dont. Springs would change your ride quality all the time.

I dont have an air compressor either. I have the hoses routed to a tab that I welded to the rear next to the hitch/trailer plug. The air valve is just like the valve for your wheels/tires. When your ready, just hook up the compressor hose (or run to 7-11) and air them up. They are small in volume so they air up quick and dont take much air. Hit it for a couple seconds then check with a tire gauge. Stand back and check the truck for level stance front to back. I usually use my wheel wells as a visual gauge.

C & A s Dad · February 4, 2008

I would agree with Scott. I have the Airlift brand and mine fit in my rear coils on my Yuk XL. I also air mine manually. I run apprx 10 PSI when not towing my camper and about 25 when I am hooked up. They work great and are really great quality.

You may also look at the "half a leafs" offered from any Auto Parts store. We sell a fair amt and I have them on my Dodge Caravan. They are cheap and can be installed in about 30 mins max. They simply fit behind the axle and bolt to the leaf springs. They come in different ratings and the closer you mount them to the axle the less affect they have, the further back they are mounted, the more lift they provide. They will slightly change the ride but not much at all.

mljenkins · February 4, 2008

I ended up going with Hellwig 1-ton helper springs on my '06 1500. I got them off JCWhitney. I tow a gooseneck horse trailer that weighs right around 8500 lbs loaded. I don't notice them affecting the ride. I already have the heavy duty suspension in a WT so my ride isn't luxury anyway. The only negative is when they have a good load sometimes they squeek as they slightly move on the existing springs. But that is better than being on the overloads and having my high beams point up. They were not hard to install, just had to jack the truck up on it's frame (not on axle) and follow the directions. With my dad's help we had them installed in 2-4 hours tops. I could have done it myself but everything is easier with two people, and dad's like to tinker too! Besides his garage was more level and clean than my driveway

I thought about air bags but was afraid they would not give me the support I was looking for. I thought they were more expensive but not sure, and to be honest was kind of afraid of them. I will be interested to see what others say for future reference down the road (i.e. new truck in a few years).

I knew I needed extra support the first time I towed the trailer at night. Every one kept blinking their high beams at me. I started keeping my high beams on until people could see I was turning them off because it was so annoying.

mljenkins · February 4, 2008

You may also look at the "half a leafs" offered from any Auto Parts store. We sell a fair amt and I have them on my Dodge Caravan. They are cheap and can be installed in about 30 mins max. They simply fit behind the axle and bolt to the leaf springs. They come in different ratings and the closer you mount them to the axle the less affect they have, the further back they are mounted, the more lift they provide. They will slightly change the ride but not much at all.

I tried those half leafs on my truck. They didn't help hardly at all with the gooseneck, and we had bought the heaviest ones Autozone sold. They were real easy to install though, and easy to take off.

alaska511 · February 4, 2008

You difinitely want the airbags. I have done it EVERY way imaginable. I have had custom spring packs put in my '97 K2500, they worked great but rode like s**t empty. I had helper springs put on my '97 K1500 and they clacked and made noise. Then I found Firestone RideRite air bags and have never looked back, 2 different trucks, loaded HEAVY...and the ride does not change when empty. I never put ANY air in them empty and never, I mean NEVER had anything happen like the horror stories you hear. It is all about the install. Those Firestone NO DRILL kits are the best, IMO.

Don't even debate this...get bags.

dlstewart01 · February 4, 2008

Air bags, hands down. I also got the on-board pump and gage. Makes it even easier.

Have a good one,

Don

mljenkins · February 4, 2008

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you guys have in your air bags? How much additional weight will they allow for? Now I am curious... :-)

alaska511 · February 4, 2008

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you guys have in your air bags? How much additional weight will they allow for? Now I am curious... :-)

In a modified 2500HD I have put 75 psi in each bag and carried as much as 4000# in the bed...do not try this, and don't flame me, you don't know the specifics...my point is, in a properly equipped vehicle the bags will safely level your load if you are not exceeding the GVWR or GCVWR, they are very tough and reliable...again as I said, they are only as good as the install.

C & A s Dad · February 4, 2008

The in coil models I have max at 30 PSI. I am not sure about the ones you will be using.

I run 25 when towing and 10 when not.

willysts · February 4, 2008

Definately air bags.

overkill · February 4, 2008

I have the airlift brand also. Mine are the heavy duty bags like the 3rd picture here... http://www.truckspring.com/air-lift_12.html . Trey has the top picture I'm assuming.

I run around 10psi empty and usually about 50+/- psi with an 16ft flatbed and 76 cherokee loaded. The heavyduty bags can be maxed at 100psi.

C & A s Dad · February 4, 2008

Mine are like the top pic. Here is a picture of mine installed. Not what would be used on a leaf spring truck but still you can get an idea.

gekoenig · February 6, 2008

i put the super springs on my F150 and the Airlift 1000s on my Suburban. I pull an enclosed trailer with about 500-800 lb tongue weight. The air bag at 35psi sags much less than the super spring and seems to ride better. Go with the bagz.

Dently · August 21, 2009

Guys,

You don't want Firestone ride-rite air bag system. I purchased and installed them over a year ago, just had my first failure.. Called the Tech support, they had me send photos of the installation, they agreed I had installed them correctly, but they would not cover the blown air bag. Their lifetime warranty only coves defects in materials and workmanship not design flaws. I had the correct pressure, but when the bags fully compress it pushes on the heat shield and cuts the air bag. With their design, you remove the factory joust bumpers so now the air bag is the joust bumper, a lousy design. Goodyear air bags can be ordered with a hard rubber joust bumper internal and their bags are much stronger and rated higher... also save your self some money after installing this kit I could have fabricated a similar kit in about an hour, bought the Goodyear bags 2 for $119.00 on ebay and not had a failure. If you do buy the Firestone kit do not install the heat shield, fabricate your own not connected to the air bag.--- just my opinion