Helpers Or Bags

norsemanberg · January 11, 2009

Alright i need to level out my truck when I'm pulling my M101A2 military trailer that i use for hauling wood and I'm not sure which way to go with this so lets see what every one else thinks. Let me know which way you would go and why. here is a Picture of my truck and trailer set up.

dlstewart01 · January 11, 2009

I have Firestone airbags with an on-board pump. This is one of the best things I have added for towing. With my camper hooked up and the bed loaded, it only takes 30 PSI to level the truck out.

The best reason for air-bags, They do NOT affect the ride like helper springs will. I have had them both.

Don

97SierraGMC · January 11, 2009

Airbags

most compaines offer a lifetime warranty on the bags.. plus they can be adjusted for different loads so your ride wont be worse.

Z71kris · January 11, 2009

what they all said and stuff!

norsemanberg · January 11, 2009

Has anyone done it with a leveling valve?

dlstewart01 · January 11, 2009

Has anyone done it with a leveling valve?

What do you mean by "leveling valve"?

Don

Z71kris · January 11, 2009

do you mean like the caddies where they self level?

norsemanberg · January 11, 2009

Has anyone done it with a leveling valve?

What do you mean by "leveling valve"?

Don

you know like the leveling valve on the class 8 trucks ( semi's). You have a air valve with the rod connected to the axle so when tou put a load on the truck the valve automatic levels out the truck

Z71kris · January 11, 2009

similar to what I said..

MarkD · January 11, 2009

I had the roadmaster active suspension on my 02 and liked it. I would rather have bags now though, depending on expense.

alwcurlz · January 11, 2009

Air Bags are the best thing for temporary use. If it's a full-time loading condition, I would consider HD springs and the airbags for leveling. I have an Air-Lift/Firestone brand set and also an air-compressor with tank. I havn't installed mine yet because the mounting is giving me trouble. The axle is for some reason pushed back. I'm thinking of loosening the leaf spring u-bolts, tiing a come-along to the axle and to the front and pull it forward. A month or so back when I was under my truck, the springs looked as though they were bowing the wrong way, weakened maybe. I bought some 2005 year model springs and put them on in place and found they did basically the same thing which seems odd. It's like they're already 70% compressed when the truck is empty. Also, the bottom out bumper pads that are mounted to the frame don't strike square with the axle which concerns me. They are striking that square pad on the forward third of the plate. Also, GM REALLY went cheap with those bumper pad pods. Mine just came off like nothing. I bumped my hand on one while installing the springs and was shocked. There was rust buildup between the pad and where it came off of. They are light duty bumpers filled with some yellow foam. Sad. I drilled holes through them and put a zip tie through near where they mount and through the mounting plate gap. Wondering if I'll damage anything in the transfer case by pulling the rear axle/driveshaft forward 2-3". Seems it won't since there needs to be some give/play in the drivetrain/suspension. Sorry if this seems to be going off-topic but, it's something you'll see or maybe not see when installing air bags.

Here are some pics I took while undertaking this job:

Here is the unit assembled per instructions.

What you'll see below if you look closely at the pictures is that the mounting hardware isn't

mounting square with the frame on the locations as supposed to. The supplied u-bolt clamps

down crooked because the lower plate hook is pulling to one side.

Also, note the brake line. Beleive it or not, that's a factory install. Seems kinda tight! Not

sure what to do to fix that yet. Also, those emergency brake lines were'nt that well placed

per design and the rubber covering is worn through to the main cable coil shielding.

The instructions state that this gap you see created by the raised reinforcement is to be

taken up by a spacer provided. Problem is, the rearward bottom bracket mounting hole is nearly over the

vertical section so the spacer won't fit, but I also don't want to twist anything by tightening

this down.

continued......

alwcurlz · January 11, 2009

The forward portion, another problem as well. Also, the instructions state the holes are

to be going through the weld seam. Ha! No go there! You'll also notice that this plate is

NOT flush with the frame which I'm not fond of either. The holes for this mounting bracket side are going

to be self tapping through pre-drilled holes. The screws were not self-tapping that were in my kit and I called the

manufacturer and got this guy "Bob" and he sent me the correct ones. Cool people!

Note the u-bolt and how the whole assembly is not lined up. The u-bolt ended up bending

a bit as well.

Continued....

norsemanberg · January 11, 2009

Good stuff! thanks! what kind of air spring did you get with the kit, is it the sleeve style or the double convoluted?

alwcurlz · January 11, 2009

Ok, the top of the airbag assembly bracket u-bolt pulled the bracket down flush and started pulling away from the u-bolt of the existing spring because of the lower area not perpendicular with the upper section.

See, it's right up against where it should be.

BUT, the pad contact evidence shows me what's the problem. Just need to know if it's ok

to move the axle.

Sorry for all the overload of pictures but, had to present what I'm looking at. The assembly

you see there was removed afterward and is sitting on the shelf waiting some remedy.

alwcurlz · January 11, 2009

Good stuff! thanks! what kind of air spring did you get with the kit, is it the sleeve style or the double convoluted?

You can only get the sleeve style. There MUST be at LEAST 6" of clearance between the tire and frame so, those pancake style ones will NOT work. Make sure your tires, if not stock will clear the assembly/components.