Do Air bags improve ride quality?

[Bamer]

I am considering adding air bags to improve ride quality of my 2019 Ram 1500 pulling my 2019 R23. I am only looking to get a smoother ride and not “increase” tow/payload of the truck. I understand all the truck payload/GCVR specs and know that airbags do not increase capacity....

Seems like getting the suspension back to the preloaded height for increased suspension travel and having some extra stiffness would make the ride better when the trailer is on, but can lower the air pressure when the trailer is not connected and not affect the ride without the trailer.

I am considering the LoadLifter 5000 by Air Lift.

Any thoughts and experiences are greatly appreciated!


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[lee]

I have that on my F350 SRW. I use it to level the truck with a heavy load and decrease air pressure when not towing. Mine has the onboard compressor with in cab switch and air gauge.

[bsreid]

Planning on adding timbrens to my f150 but mostly just to take away some squat when loaded, not sure how much they will improve ride quality. Airbags might be a bit smoother but that comes with added cost and more parts to break.
https://timbren.com

[UNSTUCK]

I ran Timber Grove air bags on my 2015 Ram 1500. These are the ones you want:

https://timbergroveenterprises.com/old-home

They are awesome. I was really impressed with how well they smoothed out the ride and increased stability. It was a huge improvement while towing my big RZX3.

What really made my system great was the on board air compressor and air tank I added. I then installed a semi trailer load leveling valve to the underside of the bed and connected it to the center of the rear axle. So when I hooked the boat up and the truck squatted the valve opened and inflated the air bags till I got back to my ride height then the valve closed. Then when I unhooked the trailer the valve would open again allowing the air to dump out.

When most guys install air bags they just run Schrader valves to the rear bumper or something and air up as needed. This is great for constant loads like a travel trailer. I did this when I first installed the bags. The first time I put the boat in the water my rear end when sky high. Looked pretty stupid coming out of the water with a 6" lift back there. Then when I went to put the boat back on the trailer I had to drive a few extra feet into the water to get the trailer deep enough. I knew right then I needed to be able to raise and lower the bags.

[chpthril]

Adding stiffness will not increase ride quality, unless you are driving a buckboard.

Vehicle springs are typically progressive, not linier. Slight compression = slight resistance,. heavy compression = greater resistance.

If the vehicle is sagging and adjusting the tongue weight is not possible, then airbags will help. However, im not sure airbags would improve ride quality, unless its a drivability issue due to the excessive tongue weight

[UNSTUCK]

On his Ram truck he's just about guaranteed to be riding the bump stops, like I was. So if air bags will get him off the bumps, his ride quality will improve drastically, even if it is a bit stiffer. These trucks are so soft to begin with the stiffness actually helps. I always ran with my bags slightly inflated.

[Bamer]

Thanks guys. I haven’t measured the sag, but I’m sure I hit the bump stops on ocasión. If I add bags, I’ll be sure to add a compressor setup like [mention]UNSTUCK [/mention] mentioned. The ones unstuck mentioned looks to be pretty easy to install....


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[Bamer]

[mention]UNSTUCK [/mention], at the lowest pressure, did the bags raise the rear when not loaded. If so, about how much did it raise?


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[Bamer]

Vehicle springs are typically progressive, not linier. Slight compression = slight resistance,. heavy compression = greater resistance.

That’s what i was thinking and by getting height back to the starting point will allow the suspension to work better


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[lee]

[mention]UNSTUCK [/mention], at the lowest pressure, did the bags raise the rear when not loaded. If so, about how much did it raise?


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I leave mine at 10 PSI when unloaded for a level ride and just to keep pressure in the bags. I have the dash mounted controls and can inflate and deflate on the go.

[chpthril]

That’s what i was thinking and by getting height back to the starting point will allow the suspension to work better


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If the truck is hitting the bump stops, then yes, getting it off the stops would certainly make an improvement. If it sags that bad, look into if you can put a set of 3/4 ton truck springs in the back.

Ive done this on full size 1/2 ton conversion vans that would squat bad once loaded down with the conversion crap and raised roof.

[BCRider]

I've had the Firestone kit on my old 05 F150 as well as my current 14 F150. I added them as I also have done the front leveling kit so also got the squat. I will say that when loaded and pulling the bags do make a difference as the back end isn't so squishy. I have a compressor mounted above my spare tire and the switch/gauge in my glove box. No real need for a tank but I do believe you're at least doing yourself a favor by putting the compressor & switch in. I run about 30psi with the trailer on and around 5-10psi for daily.

[bsreid]

Just picked the boat up. Drove alright but defiantly not the same as the duramax and sure squats a lot... Will be looking at adding bags or suspension helper.

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[Surf406]

Put some firestone air bags on it and you’ll be golden . I have a 14 dmax and a 2000 7.3 Ford both are single wheel HD trucks and both are bagged and it’s night and day difference. You’ll be glad you did it for sure .

[Germaine Marine]

I just installed a Kelderman 4 link system on my power stroke. I am amazed at the ride quality improvement. I would say it rides similar to my wives denali now.