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01-20-2010, 06:27 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Littleton
Posts: 184
M.O.C. #9998
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SRW and Airbags
Reading over the forums in the last few weeks I get the impression most of you without dual rear wheels use one of the two airbag modifications as the Montanas and Mountaineers have significant pin weights. If you have a 1 or 3/4 ton SRW TV and have airbags, have you always been satisified with them or could I do without? Has anyone had any new truck warranty complications? Thanks for your advice.
__________________
2010 Mountaineer 285 RLD, 330 watts solar, 600 watts sine inverter, 3 type 31 agm batteries, Traveler antenna
2010 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW, 18k Reese slider, Honda 2000i, Firestone airbags
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01-20-2010, 06:44 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Arnold
Posts: 1,200
M.O.C. #2586
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I only added airbags because my TV squatted a bit when hooked up. Levels the truck and smooths the ride a bit. I let the air out to 5-10# when not towing or hauling.
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01-20-2010, 07:34 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,376
M.O.C. #6575
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Never had a problem with the 04 2500HD GMC squatting with the Mountaineer hitched. IIRC, our pin weight may be a couple hundred less than yours. I think the 3500 should handle that extra weight though. We'll see what the new Chevy does. Doesn't have a hitch in it yet.
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01-20-2010, 10:09 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 2,354
M.O.C. #6831
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I do not have air bags and have had no problems
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01-20-2010, 10:21 AM
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#5
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wilmington
Posts: 20
M.O.C. #9557
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The ONLY thing air bags will do is level the TV. They do not add to the ability to carry the PW or to the cargo capacity of the truck.
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01-20-2010, 10:40 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,359
M.O.C. #6433
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I don't have airbags on my F350. And my 3075RL has the heaviest pin weight of any of the Montanas, even the longest ones.
As far as F250s, some have helper (or overload) springs and some do not. The helper springs come with the F250 camper package option. And maybe some other options?
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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01-20-2010, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,727
M.O.C. #7992
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I had trouble with the 09 Dodge squatting. Instead of airbags I added timbrens. Have been very happy with them. Corrected the squat, improved the handling, zero maintenance, and a lot less money. Having never had airbags I cannot speak to the "difference of ride" except to say I am happy with what I got.
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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01-20-2010, 11:22 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I installed factory overload springs on my Ford F-250 to match an F-250 which increased my GVWR and will be added large wheels and tires to support the new weight and complete the transition, however they don't prevent sag. When trucks are loaded they will sag, some more that others. If you are sagging TOO much you might be overloaded and most after-market products will not increase the GVWR (look at the fine print) especially air bags.
The air bags do 3 things: 1) eliminate the sag by raising the rear end; 2) help put the headlight aim at the right angle instead of making your headlights look like highbeams to opposing traffic; 3.) improve the ride when under a heavy load making the ride smoother - eliminating some clunking and stuttering.
Your rig combination may not need it. But you will be the best one in determining that especially if you are seeing any of the 3 problems I mention. In my case, my Monty sagged my rear end quite a bit so the air bags helped me a lot. I got a huge return on all three benefits listed above. Even DW noticed the difference in the ride. I use 15# when empty and about 60# when hitched up. When carrying cargo I measure the distance between the wheel fender well and the top of the tire. Then after loading up the truck I put in enough air to achieve the same distance, then the aspect is the same as when the truck is almost empty.
I have not had any complications from the dealer/warranty in regards to the addition of the air bags (most service guys tell me, "very nice addition" when they see them). I had them installed 7 months after owning the truck back in 2006 and I still have an active warranty.
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01-20-2010, 12:30 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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I installed Firestone Air bags after 7 years made the first 1,700 mile trip last week with them I no longer have the squat and has improved the ride. So bottom line I am glad I did.
My combo GMC 2500 GMC and 2955RL
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01-20-2010, 12:41 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Three Rivers
Posts: 266
M.O.C. #1249
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No air bags and no sag.
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01-21-2010, 02:37 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas
Posts: 102
M.O.C. #7213
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Another vote for Timbrens
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01-21-2010, 04:32 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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I have a GM 3500 SRW. The springs are identical to the dually. Like Chris mentioned in the first reply, the air bags help restore the truck to level. All GM trucks have progressive springs. That means they DO sag when you put weight on them. If your truck doesn't drop an inch or more when you set 2000# of trailer pin weight on it, then your springs are broken and bottomed out. Air bags can help get rid of this sag but may not eliminate it entirely.
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01-22-2010, 12:54 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Azle
Posts: 615
M.O.C. #9140
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I use the airbags and like the "ride" they provide.
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01-22-2010, 02:42 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Apache Junction
Posts: 1,732
M.O.C. #7487
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I have the Firestone Air Bags for the sole purpose of leveling the rig when towing, nothing else. They work work well for that.
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01-23-2010, 06:37 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #10057
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Put airbags in after a year w/o. Ride smoothed out a lot. Less movement in the rear of the 5er and the truck rides much nicer. Only use 35lbs in the bags.
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01-24-2010, 05:33 AM
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#16
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Erie
Posts: 53
M.O.C. #4082
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If I were you I wouldn't add air bags unless my truck was squatting.
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01-24-2010, 06:35 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: haverhill
Posts: 182
M.O.C. #9546
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no airbags and I sit nice and level.
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