Which Air Bags Are Best???

[bowler1]

Hi,
I am considering getting air bags for my 2018 Ram 3500 for towing a 12.5k 5th wheel with 2500 pound pin weight.

I have noticed that they offer several different weight levels--I don't know which i would need for the trailer I carry.

Also, what brand do you recommend? Seems that Firestone, Air Lift and Hellwig all offer air bags. Do you recommend one over another?

thanks
Matt

[Dave_H_M]

i don't think the 5 psi min will never change. more cya. I been running the current set at 0 when unloaded since 2012 with no ill effects. i ran the set before that for 13 years. :h

if i am running an F250 unloaded or minimally loaded it would take one heck of a woop de do to do any noticeable compression on the rear spring. So if you take a 0 psi bag and compress it it is gonna immediately build pressure as the height is reduced.

It has been working for me.

[NC_Hauler]

About 16 years ago, I put Firestone airbags on a Chevy 2500 and the instruction on installation stated that a minimum of 5-10 psi should be maintained in the airbags, when running unloaded, to help with longevity of the air bags. Weren’t supposed to run them completely empty. I don’t know about today, but that was instructions back then.

Jim

[Cummins12V98]

I had PacBrake on my 11 HO RAM Dually they worked well. Current 15 DRW RAM with factory rear air ride has Firestone bags. They have worked well.

[SweetLou]

Dave H M wrote:
i run my firestones with no pressure in them when empty like Grit Dog does.

Why do you "have" to run the 5 psi Lou?

Because that was what I was told HAHA. My old '97 truck had them on there and that owner said to do that so you wouldn't damage the bags. I also had a 2000 Grand Marquis and the instructions were also to never put the car on a lift with out letting the air out first. So, I think there is an issue if you don't ride with at least some air in them

[Dave_H_M]

i run my firestones with no pressure in them when empty like Grit Dog does.

Why do you "have" to run the 5 psi Lou?

[ACZL]

Had Timbrens on my old '03 F250 and they worked really well. problem was, that over time, the factory springs seemed to have lost their oomph and thus the Timbrens were atop the axle all the time creating a harsh ride all the time. Contacted Timbrens and explained the situation and they sent me new ones (presumably shorter). However 2 things.1. after having original ones in place for a few years, the road salt made it virtually impossible to remove the nuts that hold them so would have had to cut/grind top off and start over. 2nd. got rid of truck while never having switched over to replacement ones.

All in all, I felt they were worth the price and results and lifetime warranty. Sorry this is under the air bag question,. but others have brought Timbrens up and shared their findings as well.

[SweetLou]

Grit dog wrote:

SweetLou wrote:
My 2013 Ram DWR came with air bags, I wonder why yours didn't? In any case, I have owned air bags and Timbrens. I would go back to Timbrens if I could. They are not air bags and when not in use , they won't change the ride of the truck. These trucks are stiff enough and air bags by design are always connected even with minimal air. Just my opinion, but like I said, I have owned both.

Because no pickups “come” with airbags in 2013 and now the only ones are 1500/2500 rams with air ride or select 3500s with the half springs and assist bags.
As far as brand, they’re air bags and they all work fine. Fwiw I bought some used firestone bags about 5 years ago and they’re still good.
And, no, air bags won’t affect the empty ride if you let all the air out. And no need to worry about the min pressure requirements if you’re not hauling enough to bottom out the suspension. Some bags are also rated to run empty because they have a bump stop in them.

Grit, respectfully they do effect the ride even when empty. How can they not when they are always permanently connected from the axle? Mine certainly did and we always had to keep a min of 5 psi in them. The Timbrens much like overload springs only work when you need them. Simpler design in my opinion.

[trail-explorer]

When I was shopping airbags, I went with PACBRAKE, because instead of using a bracket hanging of the side of the truck frame for the upper mount, they sat totally under the frame of the truck.

I've seen photos of the side bracket mounted airbags bending the frame of the truck.

[Grit_dog]

SweetLou wrote:
My 2013 Ram DWR came with air bags, I wonder why yours didn't? In any case, I have owned air bags and Timbrens. I would go back to Timbrens if I could. They are not air bags and when not in use , they won't change the ride of the truck. These trucks are stiff enough and air bags by design are always connected even with minimal air. Just my opinion, but like I said, I have owned both.

Because no pickups “come” with airbags in 2013 and now the only ones are 1500/2500 rams with air ride or select 3500s with the half springs and assist bags.
As far as brand, they’re air bags and they all work fine. Fwiw I bought some used firestone bags about 5 years ago and they’re still good.
And, no, air bags won’t affect the empty ride if you let all the air out. And no need to worry about the min pressure requirements if you’re not hauling enough to bottom out the suspension. Some bags are also rated to run empty because they have a bump stop in them.

[Cummins12V98]

SweetLou wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

corvettekent wrote:
With a 3500 you should not need any air bags.

I agree especially with that light of RV.

Even more reason to have Timbrens. They work only when the load needs them

So do his factory overloads. His truck may only need a set of Bilsteins if he is getting a lot of rough road feedback.

[SweetLou]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

corvettekent wrote:
With a 3500 you should not need any air bags.

I agree especially with that light of RV.

Even more reason to have Timbrens. They work only when the load needs them

[BlackButte]

Bowler1, I agree with the others that your truck should handle that pin weight without the need for air bags.

Is there a particular issue your having that you think the air bags might help resolve? Is you truck level when hooked to the 5vr? For that matter is your trailer also level when hooked to the truck?

In preparation for my first heavy truck camper I installed the Firestone air bags but found out after the purchase that I didn't need them. I didn't need them for my heavy 5vr either.

[Cummins12V98]

corvettekent wrote:
With a 3500 you should not need any air bags.

I agree especially with that light of RV.

[larry_barnhart]

No air bags needed for our 3400 lb pin weight. Chevman