Air Bags for an F-250 - Montana Owners Club

Flastro · 09-23-2006, 03:44 AM

Hi all, its been a long time since my last post, I just purchased an F-250 4x4 to pull our 3295 , My question is how many are using air lift/helper air bags on the truck to level it when hitched up, I dont tow the Montana very often, is it worth the investment? are you using an F-250 without the air suspension ?

Ozz · 09-23-2006, 04:03 AM

Hi Kenny,
Congrat's on the new truck!
I have a F-250, I installed the air bag overloads, I didn't air them up beyond the unloaded air pressure after we hooked up and ran for a 100 miles or so. I then stopped and looked at the overload spring, it had been touching on the back of both springs, and the truck was a little low in the back. It rode a little harsh.
I then aired up the air bags to around 90#, I think. It raised the rear of the truck a little, took off the possibility of the rear spring touching the stop.
So, I would recommend them to you. I think you would never regret the purchase.
Ozz

nailbender · 09-23-2006, 04:18 AM

I have a 2006 F-250 4x4 that tows our 3075. The truck has no additional suspension and is just slightly low in the back when hooked up, not enought to worry about. Try your truck the way it is and it will most likely be allright.

Don

Glass Guy · 09-23-2006, 04:22 AM

I have a set of air lift air bags under my f-350 and it helps the ride and keeps the vehicle level when towing. Roman

Flastro · 09-23-2006, 04:55 AM

Thanks folks, Im going to Cocoa/Titusville this weekend, ill try it and see how it does, I hooked to the rv last weekend after i installed the fifth wheel and she squatted about 3 inchs, more than likely ill go with the air bags just to keep from blinding oncomming traffic at night, the Dodge was a 3500 and it leveled when hooked. before the Dodge the F-350 DRW was fine, (but the wife hated the dually) so Im single rear wheelin it again.
I gotta get in gear and install the 7 pin connecter inside the bed this week. Hitch was easy, After 5 trucks in 6 years, im gettin good at installing fifth wheels

DCP · 09-23-2006, 06:19 AM

I put on Firestone air bags last year and it makes a big difference. Much easier to steer.

Montana Sky · 09-23-2006, 08:58 AM

While I dont have a Ford, I am towing with a 3/4 ton truck. I have not added airbags to my truck as I do not have a need for them. Yes my truck squats approx 1 - 1.5 inches when hooked up, so far this has not caused any problems to the truck or coach. My suggestion is to tow your coach for awhile with your truck and see what you think. If you feel you need the bags, get them. You could be spending additional money that is not needed. Best of luck...

ols1932 · 09-23-2006, 11:02 AM

I have the airbags on my F-250. They take away any "squat" you may have when loaded. I usually run 50 psi in each one and that seems to be enough. I wouldn't be without them on a 3/4 ton truck.

Orv

CRUZIN 2 · 09-23-2006, 12:09 PM

Orv

Do you air your airbags up with ( one air valve ) for both bags, or ( two air valves ) one for each separate bag?

Larry

Native Tex · 09-23-2006, 01:53 PM

Well guys I guess I am the odd man out on this topic. I have an F-250 and do not have any air bags. Out 3400RL full loaded dosen't seem to make the truck lower hardly any at all. I am not sure if it makes any difference, but our truck is the FX-4 model with 4 wheel drive. I doubt if the springs are any difference but the truck sits hirher anyway with the Billstine shocks that came on it. It pulls and driver just great. Not sure about the investment at this point.

Great discussion.

haslcs · 09-23-2006, 02:26 PM

Hi I have a 04 F250 wit the camper package and i don't use air spring's. mine only goes down 1 and1/2 inch's. and it handels great. but my fifth wheel may not be as big as your's. i have a 2955 RL.

ols1932 · 09-23-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by CRUZIN 2

Orv

Do you air your airbags up with ( one air valve ) for both bags, or ( two air valves ) one for each separate bag?

Larry

Larry,
I have two air valves, one for each bag on each side of the truck. Camping World installed them three years ago and the valves are readily available. I air them up with my little portable 12V compressor.

Orv

Mac · 09-23-2006, 03:36 PM

I was thinking about them when I got my new truck but now I read that two 3400 owners don't use them and don't think they're necessary, one a Chevy owner and one a Ford owner. I guess Montana had the best suggestion, try it out with your trailer and TV before purchasing.

mac

Flastro · 09-23-2006, 05:29 PM

The thing i think im up against is the 3295 has one of the heavier pin weights of a lot of the Montanas....i think????

Montana Sky · 09-23-2006, 06:45 PM

You are right Kenny, the 3295RK has a heavy pin weight. I would still suggest towing your coach without any changes and see how your truck handles it. If you feel you need the extra "lift" to reduce the squat, get airbags.

ols1932 · 09-24-2006, 03:49 AM

The pin weight on our rig is a little heavier than would normally be found because we are carrying two 12V D8 Lifeline batteries that weigh 150 lbs each, as well as an extra 30 lb propane tank. Even at that, the squat in our truck wasn't that bad. I just didn't like the looks of the rig when viewing it from the side and saw the nose of the pickup "up" a little. Just didn't look good. Never tow at night so I don't know what my light would have done to oncoming drivers. I like the looks of the rig with the airbags installed because it "looks" level now when I observe it from the side when it is parked.

Not everyone uses airbags, but for me, with this F-250, I found that they are the answer to removing the "squat."

Orv

Flastro · 10-06-2006, 02:25 PM

Well I towed the RV last weekend, The truck squatted about 2 inches< not too bad, and as for towing, the only thing I noticed that when I throttled on it hard from a dead stop, There was a slight vibration which i figure was the driveshaft angle being affected from the lower rear truck height and compounded by the torque causing even more squat, Other than that, it towed fine, thinks I may hold off on the air bags and tow her a couple more times and make a decision. So far, so good.

ols1932 · 10-06-2006, 05:27 PM

I think a 2" squat is more than desired. It takes away from steering control on the TV. It also creates "bright lights" at night even when you have them dimmed. Airbags would be a good way to go.

Orv

sreigle · 10-08-2006, 07:07 AM

Kenny, we towed a 3295RK for about 50k miles, the last half of that with an F250 and the first half with an F350 SRW.

The 3295RK has about the heaviest actual scaled pinweight of any Montana. Your F250 rear suspension is identical to an F350 SRW EXCEPT that it does not have the overload leaf (the upside down onw) nor the stabilizer bar. The airbags provide the extra spring capability that overload leaf would otherwise provide. If, by chance, your F250 has the Camper Package intended for slidein campers, then you have both the extra leaf and stabilizer bar and, thus, the same suspension and other rear end components as the F350 SRW.

With the 3295RK (our actual pinweight was 3300 lbs) I put 45psi in the bags before hitching. Dropping the Montana on the hitch raised the psi to about 70.

We do use the airbags with the 3400RL. Those who are not heavily loaded may not need to do so. Our scaled pinweight on our 3400RL is 2860 lbs. I put 30 psi in the airbags, unhitched. That translates to 50 psi when hitched. That keeps the truck level.

I have the onboard compressor and gauge so it's a snap to add/reduce air pressure on the fly. I do it before backing up to hitch. I also change pressure when we get a road with the herky jerky motion. It does not eliminate all the movement but makes it far more comfortable a ride.

I also would not tow with a 2" squat. I just am not comfortable with that. Nor even a 1" squat. Many do it without problem but it makes me uncomfortable. I use the airbags to keep the truck level. Just my opinion.

LonnieB · 10-08-2006, 08:37 AM

I installed the Air-Lift air bags on mine long before I even thought about buying a fifthwheel camper. I had a flatbed that was pretty heavy, and pulled a heavy gooseneck equipment trailer most of the time. When I removed the flatbed to put it on another truck, I left the airbags installed, and got another set for the other truck. I'm glad I did. I feel that I have more control over the TV with the rearend not feeling squishy, and I know other drivers appreciate the fact that I'm not blinding them with my headlights. I have a hard time seeing the road when oncoming traffic will not, or cannot dim their lights, and I don't want to be one of those people making it hard on other drivers. I don't have the on-board compressor like Steve and some of the others, but it would be nice to have. I drilled two 5/16" holes about 3/4" apart vertically, in the rear bumper, to the left of the license plate to install the Schrader valves, top is left, bottom is right. A couple of chrome valve caps, and it looks like they belong there,lol. I do about the same thing you do Steve, air 'em to about 30 psi., then hook up. I wouldn't be without them.

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