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Air Ride Suspension For Towing

Chaddprice

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Chaddprice Enthusiast

Chaddprice

Posted
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My dad just recently bought up a new 2500HD and is looking into getting an air ride system. Given that the new truck sits quite a bit higher than his '99 3/4 ton, there's much less clearance on our flat-bed and 5th wheel camper trailer. The main company he's been looking at is Talon Air Suspensions , but some of the feedback seems like it rides rougher while not towing. Although we do a fair bit of towing on the farm, we won't be doing enough to sacrifice ride quality on gravel roads and stuff around home when we are not pulling anything as its his daily driver as well. I am just curious if there is anyone that has installed or know of any good systems out there that we should take a look at.

 

Thanks

97SierraGMC Senior Enthusiast

97SierraGMC

Posted
Posted

Firestone Ride Rite Airbags are really nice..

 

they have a 2 yr warranty and im pretty sure its a no-drill install.

 

you have some choices too if you do drill, if you mount it a little higher than what is suggested you truck will bottom out a slight bit before stopping on the bags, or if you mount it a little lower than suggested you can pick the back of the truck up a couple inches...

Chaddprice Enthusiast

Chaddprice

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He looked at those earlier but isn't all that interested in a helper spring setup as compared to a full suspension swap. That's why the Talon system is more expensive.

dietz4ibanez Senior Enthusiast

dietz4ibanez

Posted
Posted

Does he really think that he needs one of those for that truck? They bairly ever show any sign of sagging.

There is one guy on the site and filled up the back of his truck with gravel heeping and it only sagged like 2-3 inches

Chaddprice Enthusiast

Chaddprice

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It's not an issue of sagging. Seeing his new truck sits several inches higher in the back end, our goose neck trailer only has a couple inches of clearance on the top of the tailgate and the side of the box. He's already put a ding in the top corner of his box from hitting it with the trailer.

97SierraGMC Senior Enthusiast

97SierraGMC

Posted
Posted

Im almost 100% sure there is a metal block between the leaf springs and the axle so it sits higher. Its at least and an inch but i think its 2 inches.

 

if you take that out not only will it level his truck but the truck will have more clearance for the trailer.

Chaddprice Enthusiast

Chaddprice

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There is a metal block there, but it looks like it's welded onto the axle, I know that this has been done quite often, but are they normally welded on like that? if you take that off will you have to fix up some sort of plate for the leaf springs to sit flush against between them and the axles?

97SierraGMC Senior Enthusiast

97SierraGMC

Posted
Posted

it is NOT welded. and if it is whoever did it is an idiot.

 

You just undo the 4 nuts on each side take it out and put the nuts back on.

 

it sits in there nice and neat because there is a indent for a pin to go in the center.

hotbread597 Enthusiast

hotbread597

Posted
Posted

I have a 2006 2500hd eclb, and i filled the box full of saud and dirt just heaping over the box rails all the way accross and it was 3700 pounds when I went accross the scale. I can say right now that it sagged way more then 2 or 3 inches. more like 5 or 6 maybe alittle more. Anyways the idea behind swtiching to complete air system is to lower the ride hieght so when you put the trailer on it fits better then increase the pressure?

97SierraGMC Senior Enthusiast

97SierraGMC

Posted
Posted
I have a 2006 2500hd eclb, and i filled the box full of saud and dirt just heaping over the box rails all the way accross and it was 3700 pounds when I went accross the scale. I can say right now that it sagged way more then 2 or 3 inches. more like 5 or 6 maybe alittle more. Anyways the idea behind swtiching to complete air system is to lower the ride hieght so when you put the trailer on it fits better then increase the pressure?

 

Kinda like dumping the air on a semi to hook up to a trailer.

 

i see how that would work, but taking the block out will probably be the easiest.

Chaddprice Enthusiast

Chaddprice

Posted
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Well taking a quick look at the truck tonight I didn't see any blocks like I am used to seeing on other trucks, just the fixed bracket on the bottom for the springs to sit against. I guess I'll maybe have to look closer at it tomorrow.

 

Yes, being able to dump the air on the system and lower the truck to hook it up would be one of the benefits to getting air ride.

hotbread597 Enthusiast

hotbread597

Posted
Posted

Yeah thats pretty much what they would do, plus give a person a more stable ride. right capcity for the right load. Anyways I am thinking about adding a couple leafs to the back of the truck for extra load carrying capacity.

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