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07-15-2018, 06:33 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Holdrege
Posts: 49
M.O.C. #19802
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Airbags needed??
I have 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 pulling my 2008 Monty 3500RL. My question is do I need to put airbags on my truck? The rear suspension drops almost 4 inches when I hook up.
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07-15-2018, 06:51 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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What is the carrying capacity of your truck ? The 3500RL is almost 2000lbs. It may be that you are over weight. Have you hit the scales to see what your pin weight loaded is?
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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07-15-2018, 07:18 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,788
M.O.C. #14547
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Ouch!
Your 5er weighs in at just under 12,000 pounds with a pin weight of just about 2000 pounds and that's as shipped and empty. Add a bunch of 'stuff' to the truck, the 5ers basement, a washer dryer, some water to the tanks along with all of your groceries and personal things and that weight just keeps climbing.
You can add air bags and it can level the combo. Unfortunately, your truck will probably not have the rated capacity listed on the 'B' pillar. The max capacity of a so-called 3/4 ton truck is 10,000 pounds, regardless of brand, with many rated lower. It depends on what suspension was supplied with the truck. That rated capacity of the truck includes everything - fuel, your sig other, kids, dogs, hitch, -- anything in the cab and bed whch includes the pin weight is what I'm saying.
Can you tow with this setup - many do, some with add ons like another spring leaf, air bags, etc. Is it safe? Maybe, depending on what is done to uprate the suspension, brakes and most importantly, tires. Is it legal - no clue in your state, depending on how they title and register pickups but your insurance company might get upset.
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Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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07-15-2018, 07:21 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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We needed airbags on our current dually because of rear drop. Not caused by a pin weight issue with our 350 dually. Glad I installed them, problem solved.
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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07-15-2018, 07:25 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Ditto what Dave said. IMHO 3/4 ton trucks from any year or any brand have no business towing these heavy units. You would need a 1 ton SRW at the least, with a dually being the best choice.
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07-15-2018, 07:42 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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Chances are it is legally overloaded. If the truck looks squished, then you will need some type of load leveling assistance. There are several out there. Good luck!
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07-15-2018, 08:09 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We did airbags on out 2008 F-350 to level the rig out . IMO a level rig makes for better towing. We dropped 2 1/2 inches when hooked up and this is a heavy duty truck.
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07-15-2018, 09:08 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
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2X what richfaa said. Mine did the same as his did. Set of Firestone air bags and all is well.
__________________
Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
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07-15-2018, 12:21 PM
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#9
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stark City
Posts: 89
M.O.C. #21339
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I pull a 3121RL with a 3/4 ton Ford with 0 issues. Mine only dropped truck about 2” when hooked. I added Air Lift 5000 bags for a better ride, it not only leveled truck but the main benefit was a better ride. The ride difference is night and day. It takes the shock out of bridge abutments, I would airbag any truck used to pull a fiver just on ride improvement alone.
__________________
Indian Springs Farm
2018 3121RL Samsung Residential Fridge
2018 Ford F250 PSD Air Lift 5000
Sailun 637 tires Predator 3500 (2) paralleled
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07-15-2018, 03:32 PM
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#10
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Foley
Posts: 42
M.O.C. #21745
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I had a set of AirLift 5000 Ultimate bags installed on my F250turbo. It made a huge difference in ride quality and leveled the headlights to the proper angle. I purchased the manual bag set with out the compressor & control system. I use a 12v compressor to air them up. They are super easy to use. I am a full timer living in the oil-filed. I do not tow that often so it is not a big deal for me to check my bag pressure. If you tow frequently, I would get the compressor system and maybe the auto-leveling system.
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07-15-2018, 04:28 PM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Holdrege
Posts: 49
M.O.C. #19802
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Thanks everyone. Much appreciated info.
__________________
Bryan S/Brenda C. 2016 Ram 2500HD / 2009 Montana 3500RL
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07-15-2018, 07:37 PM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Holdrege
Posts: 49
M.O.C. #19802
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I am looking at the Firestone red label bags with the compressor and digital gauge. I have done some research. Anything better than the Firestone set up? I want the ease of having the compressor set up, as my better half is a traveling nurse and I am not always around to help her out.
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Bryan S/Brenda C. 2016 Ram 2500HD / 2009 Montana 3500RL
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07-15-2018, 09:53 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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Air bags will get the sage out and make for a better ride.
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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07-16-2018, 05:05 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,788
M.O.C. #14547
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bsorge
I am looking at the Firestone red label bags with the compressor and digital gauge. I have done some research. Anything better than the Firestone set up? I want the ease of having the compressor set up, as my better half is a traveling nurse and I am not always around to help her out.
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Firestone or Air Lift are the two major brands. I'm using Firestone which work just fine. Air Lift - others are just as happy. Your choice, your bucks. You can mix and match with on board air pumps too though many like me just use a manual fill though I do carry a little 12VDC air pump JIC I need to air up in a boondock CG
__________________
Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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07-16-2018, 07:05 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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I had a Duramax 3/4t overloaded with a Montana once. I installed the Firestone air bags and that is just how it rode, like stones. Poor ride quality happens if you are bouncing off of the factory bump stops. In my experience, the improvement in ride came from not bottoming out on those stops while loaded. The ride otherwise was noticeably stiffer, loaded and unloaded, with proper air pressures at all times. These bags are not an actual air ride suspension, nor have I ever seen a vehicle ride better unloaded with them.
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07-20-2018, 01:13 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Wampum
Posts: 571
M.O.C. #9928
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Air bags WILL help level your truck. Airbags WILL NOT increase the capacity of your truck. If the trailer weighs more than the rated capacity of your truck........get a bigger truck. Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll be ok if you over load your tow vehicle.
__________________
"What happens at camp stays at camp"
2018 3121RL
2016 Ford F350 SB SRW
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07-20-2018, 02:15 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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First off … trucks that can adequately pull the larger RV's will ride stiff air bags or not compared to say a half ton … you can't have a velvet ride and be able to pull heavy trailers. I run about 30 - 34# of air in my Air Lift bags. They absorb the jolts from the road and bridge abutments but don't really make it ride any stiffer loaded. I let the air out to about 5-10# empty which returns it to the ride quality it always had empty … a bit stiff.
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07-20-2018, 04:21 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Folsom, California
Posts: 552
M.O.C. #21903
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My F250 drops about 2 1/2 inches with my Montana hitched. Mine has the factory installed "camper package" which adds an upper overload leaf spring (like the F350). Airbags installed with this setup negate the overload springs. The airbags never allow the overload springs to engage. I just ordered Superspring SSS-2 Bump Stops which will engage the overload springs sooner. I contacted the factory and there is no problem using these stops without airbags. Hope this helps my leveling problem. Based on the sticker, I just figured out that I'm overloaded when I include the pin weight plus all of our stuff in the truck. Who would have thought that because I'm well within the maximum fifth wheel towing limit for the truck. Bought the truck and trailer setup together from the previous owner, would have thought that everything was within the limits. Due to financial restraints, I'm stuck with this setup, so I'll have to make do. Last year we went cross country and put on 8,500 miles, no issues. Plannng another cross country trip in Sept.
__________________
'05 F250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - Sold
'17 F350 6.7 Lariet
'02 Montana 3280RL Upgraded a bunch.
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07-20-2018, 04:56 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Brookings
Posts: 313
M.O.C. #18275
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I used Timbrens on my F250.
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07-20-2018, 06:01 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Folsom, California
Posts: 552
M.O.C. #21903
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I just learned that GVWR does not include pin weight of the 5er per Etrailer.com:
"The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or gross vehicle mass (GVM) is the maximum operating weight/mass of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer including the vehicle's chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers and cargo but excluding that of any trailers."
I was including the pin weight in GVWR calculation. That means that I am not overloaded, just tilted. Whew, I feel better.
__________________
'05 F250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - Sold
'17 F350 6.7 Lariet
'02 Montana 3280RL Upgraded a bunch.
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