I chose to install Airbags instead of an additional leaf spring to help out the suspension on our new truck. We did buy the f350 and it does hold our new skid with out any sign of the suspension sagging. What we found out is that the skid is heavier on the hose reel side (Passenger side) which made the truck lean to one side. And once we loaded the truck up with water ( 200 gallon) bleach 2-(55 gallon) House Soap(7 gallon) Roof Soap(7gallon) Gas Tank (11 gallon) Hot water heater ( 8 gallons diesel) Ladders all the accessories in the tool box. We could see the truck needed a little help. Airbags was an easy install and was half the cost of of an additional leave spring and one of the things that is easy is adjusting each side of the truck to keep it level and not leaning to one side.
The last picture shows we're the fitting is to put air in the air bag. You can actually use a bicycle pump because it does take much air to inflate the bag. I used my compressor.
Driver's side has 7lbs of Air
Passenger side 11 lbs of Air
I just use a tape measure to take a reading off the suspension to frame and compared it side to side .
Diamond Roof Cleaning said
Feb 23, 2018
Looks good. I have air bags on my truck as well.
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 23, 2018
They work great..
Bryan P said
Feb 23, 2018
I think airbags are better for your situation . I put Hellwig helper springs on mine and haven’t had any problems though. They are adjustable so you can make one side tighter. I would use air if I did it over on the work truck but the springs are better if you’re moving stuff in and out
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 23, 2018
Bryan
Every situation is different. And if I was just adding weight and it was staying in the truck 24/7 365 I would have done spring's. But we're the skid was heavier on one side the air bags was the best install. And were the skid comes out in the winter we can just let some air out of the air bags to readjust the suspension
Bryan P said
Feb 23, 2018
Check out the Hellwig springs some time. they are level load so only activated when weight is added. I’ve had them on three trucks. They are pretty neat but won’t support as much as air. I agree air is better for a heavy skid
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 23, 2018
Bryan
I will definitely look them up
Mario said
Feb 24, 2018
Airbags are the way to go.
Bryan P said
Feb 24, 2018
Brian C Jackson wrote:
Bryan I will definitely look them up
These are the ones I have on my truck. you can see it's a lot different than just adding a spring to the spring pack.
Bryan
They add 2500lbs of carring capacity. Did it change the ride of your truck ?.
Bryan P said
Feb 24, 2018
Brian C Jackson wrote:
Bryan They add 2500lbs of carring capacity. Did it change the ride of your truck ?.
Only if you tighten them too much! They can get "springy" if you do. If you set them up right, they ride normal when unloaded, but keep the truck level when loaded.
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 24, 2018
Good info
Power Wash Plus said
Feb 24, 2018
I went with the air bags. Compressor is mounted under the truck with a switch and gauge in the cab. Easily adjustable for when the tanks are full or empty. Never have had the problem of leaning toward one side. I also don't have the extent of a skid as you do Brian
Western Mass Prowash said
Feb 24, 2018
Good information on this topic from real life reviews. I have been thinking about these options when I get a new truck.
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 24, 2018
Power Wash Plus wrote:
I went with the air bags. Compressor is mounted under the truck with a switch and gauge in the cab. Easily adjustable for when the tanks are full or empty. Never have had the problem of leaning toward one side. I also don't have the extent of a skid as you do Brian
I didn't do the compressor onboard. I just use my shop compressor and a tape measure . I really need to figure out how much weight I really have in the truck.
I chose to install Airbags instead of an additional leaf spring to help out the suspension on our new truck. We did buy the f350 and it does hold our new skid with out any sign of the suspension sagging. What we found out is that the skid is heavier on the hose reel side (Passenger side) which made the truck lean to one side. And once we loaded the truck up with water ( 200 gallon) bleach 2-(55 gallon) House Soap(7 gallon) Roof Soap(7gallon) Gas Tank (11 gallon) Hot water heater ( 8 gallons diesel) Ladders all the accessories in the tool box. We could see the truck needed a little help. Airbags was an easy install and was half the cost of of an additional leave spring and one of the things that is easy is adjusting each side of the truck to keep it level and not leaning to one side.
Driver's side has 7lbs of Air
Passenger side 11 lbs of Air
I just use a tape measure to take a reading off the suspension to frame and compared it side to side .
Every situation is different. And if I was just adding weight and it was staying in the truck 24/7 365 I would have done spring's. But we're the skid was heavier on one side the air bags was the best install. And were the skid comes out in the winter we can just let some air out of the air bags to readjust the suspension
I will definitely look them up
These are the ones I have on my truck. you can see it's a lot different than just adding a spring to the spring pack.
http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/load-control/pro-series/
They add 2500lbs of carring capacity. Did it change the ride of your truck ?.
Only if you tighten them too much! They can get "springy" if you do. If you set them up right, they ride normal when unloaded, but keep the truck level when loaded.
I went with the air bags. Compressor is mounted under the truck with a switch and gauge in the cab. Easily adjustable for when the tanks are full or empty. Never have had the problem of leaning toward one side. I also don't have the extent of a skid as you do Brian
I didn't do the compressor onboard. I just use my shop compressor and a tape measure . I really need to figure out how much weight I really have in the truck.