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Old 02-10-2018, 06:03 PM   #1
topjustice
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Another DRW Question

Just pulled the trigger today on a new F350 DRW. Traded in my 2015 F350 SRW. My SRW had Firestone air bags with on board compressor. Should I put the same on the DRW? The dry pin weight of the 3791RD I am getting is 2835 lbs. Will I need the bags for leveling? Thanks for any opinions.
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Old 02-10-2018, 06:39 PM   #2
waynemoore
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I would put air bags in it as the pin weight will go up when you load the rig.
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Old 02-10-2018, 07:22 PM   #3
ExPatNW
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I have a 2017 F450 with a 2017 3790RD - rides level (if anything a little nose high)- see no need for air bags myself.
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:26 PM   #4
Bigdog
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I have a 2015 F350 dually with a 2016 3950BR. Rides level and not on the overload springs. No need for air bags.
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Old 02-10-2018, 09:21 PM   #5
1retired06
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I installed airbags on our F350 DRW. The rear sag under load was unacceptable.
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Old 02-15-2018, 07:35 AM   #6
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I would hook up loaded trailer and see how much it sags. FIRST. My '12 Ram, with 32-3500lbs of pin weight does Not need air bags. After 1000 miles of towing it had sagged and sat level. New it was pin high, squat was never a consern.
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Old 02-15-2018, 08:03 AM   #7
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I would wait until you get the truck and hook up the camper, then decide if you need to do anything. No need to go to a lot of trouble and expense it it’s not needed.
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Old 02-15-2018, 07:46 PM   #8
topjustice
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Originally Posted by mlh View Post
I would wait until you get the truck and hook up the camper, then decide if you need to do anything. No need to go to a lot of trouble and expense it it’s not needed.
Lynwood
Normally I would wait as you suggested but in this case I will be going about 1900 miles to pick up the Montana, and would want them installed for the trip home if needed. I also negotiated when I bought the truck that the Ford dealer will install the bags and compressor at employee rates of $50 hr. Good deal if needed but there are split opinions on the need.
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Old 02-15-2018, 09:12 AM   #9
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I put air bags on my dually whether it needed it for weight sag or not. The air bags will "somewhat" cushion the ride and any fiver or TT's frame will benefit from that cushion no matter the percentage. They are really not that expensive ... you just bought a $$$$$ truck without blinking.
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Old 02-15-2018, 07:26 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by topjustice View Post
Just pulled the trigger today on a new F350 DRW. Traded in my 2015 F350 SRW. My SRW had Firestone air bags with on board compressor. Should I put the same on the DRW? The dry pin weight of the 3791RD I am getting is 2835 lbs. Will I need the bags for leveling? Thanks for any opinions.
My 2017 F350 DRW with 2015 3790RD. Loaded trailer pin weight of 3,850 lbs. and no air bags on the truck. Trailer weight was 16,550 lbs.
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Old 02-16-2018, 04:43 AM   #11
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I owned a 1996 Chevy DRW 454 and needed them then but I have never seen in my observations a new 3500 or f350 DRW needing airbags just to pull a 5th wheel. Your new truck is more than capable to haul any monty with only having to adjust the hitch up or down a hole or two. on older models there was a need but not now. I think you are wasting your money but its your choice and if it make you feel better go for it. Ram has an auto level system option in place of the springs. but that's not really designed for pulling 5th wheels or goose necks. it is for pulling construction trailers on the pintle hitch and there you need help with air bags when you have 17000 lbs on the bumper.
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Old 02-16-2018, 06:16 AM   #12
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Actual CAT Scale certified weight of our loaded 2018.5 3791RD is 3,500 lb. I pull with 2012 F350 SD PSD SRW and although not required I have Air Lift bags with on-board air just for the improved ride.
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Old 02-16-2018, 07:17 AM   #13
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The beauty of the 3790/91 is you can load it heavy on the rear or the front due in part to the huge storage in each area. We keep most of the weight other than our bikes in the rear and thus the pin weight is right in around the 2900lb mark. Trailer & truck ride better with the weight on the rear.... Its a model that gives you choices......
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Old 02-28-2018, 04:19 AM   #14
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The beauty of the 3790/91 is you can load it heavy on the rear or the front due in part to the huge storage in each area. We keep most of the weight other than our bikes in the rear and thus the pin weight is right in around the 2900lb mark. Trailer & truck ride better with the weight on the rear.... Its a model that gives you choices......
There is a reason that U-Haul says load heaviest items in the front of a trailer. It's called "tail wag" and I'm sure they have seen it many times. It is very dangerous and can have you in a situation you can't recover from in the bat of an eye. A trailer of ANY kind should never be loaded heavier in the rear. I trucked for 20 years and 3.5 million miles and have seen the outcome of it.
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Old 02-28-2018, 11:20 AM   #15
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There is a reason that U-Haul says load heaviest items in the front of a trailer. It's called "tail wag" and I'm sure they have seen it many times. It is very dangerous and can have you in a situation you can't recover from in the bat of an eye. A trailer of ANY kind should never be loaded heavier in the rear. I trucked for 20 years and 3.5 million miles and have seen the outcome of it.
Agreed. Makes sense because most units have the largest storage area in the front, plus the heavy batteries and propane tanks. I have my Firestones on order from etrailer.com
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Old 02-16-2018, 07:37 AM   #16
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Our 08 F-350 sagged 2 1/2 inches in the rear with heavy duty springs OEM We wanted everything level so went with the air bags to do that. Riding even improves the ride and helps with tire wear. Just our choice.
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Old 02-16-2018, 09:25 AM   #17
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We have a 2017 F350 SRW short bed and and it does not sag below level towing our 2013 Montana 3725RL that also rides level to slightly high without airbags, and we have ample clearance between truck rails and Montana and have an auto slider hitch. We wished to stay within legal specs for towing our 5th wheel and ordered the truck to be built focusing on maximum cargo/tow capacity including the tires and wheels. It must be the deference in how/what we load in the basement and front bedroom areas.
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Old 02-16-2018, 09:58 AM   #18
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I haven't purchased air bags yet but may do it not for any leveling concerns but for the ride improvement. Anything that helps with Chucking is good in my book. Considering the easy install and relatively low cost it seems like a reasonable thing to do.....
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Old 02-16-2018, 10:43 AM   #19
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If we ever need airbags I would put them on. When we ordered our F350 the dealer/owner said if we needed airbags he would install them for us at no labor costs, just cost airbags. He suggested we tow for awhile then let him know and so far we have not needed them. We did have them on our 2010 F250 and it made a lot of difference. Then we did not need them on our 2012 F350 DRW, and now again on our 2017 F350 all appears at or above level.
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Old 02-27-2018, 06:01 PM   #20
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When I had my 2014 F-250 I had the Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags. They helped keep the truck riding level. When I switched over to my new 2017 F-350 DRW it was obvious after the first tow that I did not need to add bags. I just purchased a new Montana HC 385BR with a dry pin weight of 2660 and it rides level (pic below).

Its just my opinion, but I don't think that you will need to add bags. However, if it makes you feel better, then absolutely go for it.
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