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06-10-2015, 02:25 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Do You need Air Bags?
I just ordered a set for my Ram 3500 DRW. Got a bit of squat and the wife said spend it, the kids will not miss it.
Air Lift has a $50 rebate on springs and a $50 rebate on compressor. Got both, so for $472 got both the air bags and remote compressor.
Go to http://sdtrucksprings.com/
Spent a couple hours putting the brackets on the springs and un-boxing the compressor and reading the instructions. Of course had a couple of beverage breaks, maybe get it installed tomorrow. Getting hot in Missouri so may be a 2-3 day project.
This happens when you are old and slow.....
Jim
__________________
![](image.php?u=13157&type=sigpic&dateline=1487079794)
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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06-10-2015, 02:28 PM
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#2
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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 certainly needed air bags on our dually.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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06-10-2015, 02:37 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington Coast
Posts: 2,688
M.O.C. #10696
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I did not have them on my old 2003 Chevy 3500 and it did not squat very much so no need ,but I just bought a 2007 GMC 3500 and it came with air bags and on my first trip with the "new" truck I did not notice any difference from the 2003 without airbags but your Dodge squatting a little it will for sure take care of that,I did have great results with Firestone airbags on my old 99 F350 for squatting and ride
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06-10-2015, 04:04 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Poughquag
Posts: 127
M.O.C. #13192
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Needed them on our 2011 Ram Dually. The problem for us was hitting the overload springs. Made for a rough ride. Can't believe the difference in the ride and the truck is level. Just did the Firestone
Air Bags don't have the compressor, fill them myself to about 40#'s
of air in each. You will love the handling and the ride with the bags. Good Luck.
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06-10-2015, 04:46 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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We also have the Firestones. Didn't need them, really, but now wouldn't be without them. We had heat index over 100 today in Kansas so you better stock up on the beverages. It's headed your way.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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06-10-2015, 04:49 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Edgewood
Posts: 184
M.O.C. #14397
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No need here.
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06-11-2015, 03:53 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
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I didn't "need" them, but wanted them. Before I installed the Firestone air bags my overload springs were engaging the bumper and I had about 3" of sag. I like a level truck when I am hooked up and it made for a better ride. Easy install and I put in about 65# when I am hooked up, 10-12# when not hooked up. -Glenn
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06-11-2015, 01:50 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Yea, was 92 here today, spent the day watching Law and Order and doing laundry.
Rain showers coming in a day or so, will get them bolted on. Leaving for Colorado the 23rd. Looking forward to 70-80 degree days and 46 degree nights......
Dick, coming across on 400 from Springfield, to Dodge City, then 50 to Colorado. You on the way?
UPDATE Got them installed. Instructions say the min bag height is 2.8". Static with no load on the truck, truck sitting high in the back, the bags are 4.25-4.375" tall between mount plates. That means I will only have 1.5" of axle movement. That will not even let the overload contact the lowest spring pad.
Decided that is not enough axle movement, took them back off and am returning them. I just have to pay freight back. Going to look at Stable Load again. I do not want to loose my excellent empty ride. Will probably just do something to the front spring pad since I have to drop almost 4" for it to make contact with the spring.
Jim
__________________
![](image.php?u=13157&type=sigpic&dateline=1487079794)
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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06-12-2015, 09:17 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Unfortunate, worked perfect for my truck. Eliminated the Sometimes shudder in first gear starting out.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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06-12-2015, 10:49 AM
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#10
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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 not need them for any weight related issues but we did want to keep the rig level. We had @ a 2 1/2 inch squat. IMO there is a much improved ride and help with tire wear when level.
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06-12-2015, 11:40 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Went to a off-road shop a couple miles from the house. He had a box full of bumpers from different trucks. Gave me a set off a Ford and a Dodge.
Going to put the Ford bumper on the front spring pad after I cut it down to about 2 1/2". I love the empty ride, the loaded ride is way too soft, thus the thought of air bags, but the 1 1/2" of axle movement with bags will kill my good empty ride.
To be continued. Dick, the heat got here today with a load of humidity. 87 degrees with 57% humidity. Rite @ 100 in the garage.
Jim
__________________
![](image.php?u=13157&type=sigpic&dateline=1487079794)
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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06-12-2015, 12:17 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Ford Bumper. Anything we ford owners can do to help
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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06-12-2015, 12:19 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,774
M.O.C. #12947
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I went with Timbrens, eliminates the squat and when running without the trailer, they are about 1 inch off the bumper stop. Makes the truck ride level, and if running after dark, keeps the headlights down where they belong.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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06-12-2015, 12:33 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06
Ford Bumper. Anything we ford owners can do to help
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Mike, Thanks for the offer.
Got the Ford bumper installed on the front pad. (I think it is off a 2008 or so F350, 4x4 dulley rear axle) Did not cut it down. Got about of 1" of clearance between spring and bumper. Will get hooked up this week end. Taking the old parts with me????
Jim
__________________
![](image.php?u=13157&type=sigpic&dateline=1487079794)
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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07-03-2015, 04:33 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 1,426
M.O.C. #12096
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Most stock Dodges are butt high and allow for some squat....the weight of the pin of most trailers should bring a Ram up to level. Now if you got a Dodge that they put the front leveling kit on it then all bets are off....but a little squat on a truck is not a bad thing but if you want it to look good in case you enter a parade then yeah air bags are good lol lol lol
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07-03-2015, 06:34 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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Timbrens for sure!!
Love mine. Inexpensive, reliable, easy to install, no leaks since they are solid rubber and a great company to work with.
Install time less than an hour and ride with 5th hooked up is level and smooth.
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07-03-2015, 01:22 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fall Creek
Posts: 1,337
M.O.C. #3699
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Timbrens for me.
__________________
Bob and Nancy Kassl Fall Creek, Wisconsin
2015 Montana 3440RL Legacy Edition, G614's, Pressure Pro TPMS, Dish Tailgaters
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 CC SRW, Iridium Metallic, Duramax Allison Transmission
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07-03-2015, 05:18 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Yup... gotta agree, the best accidental benefit is lowering the headlights at night when towing. While this is rare, I know the oncoming traffic sure appreciates, as do I, who didn't like when oncoming traffic flashed me on a prior truck that didn't have them and they thought my highbeams were on.
I've also use them on heavy bed loads, to improve the ride. Note, they are not a solution for improving your GVWR (as some would argue). They just make the ride better (a lot better in my case).
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07-04-2015, 04:57 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Got 1,000 miles + on the truck now. The fact the front spring pad picked up the overload spring caused the truck to not squat as much and took the bouncing out of it.
A huge improvement in the ride quality. Empty is no change.
This whole issue is that Ram has the overload spring pads at 2 different levels. Unloaded, the rear pad is about 2" above the overload spring and the front pad is almost 4" above the overload spring. So the truck has to squat 2" to get to the first pad. By putting a 3" bumper on the front pad, it now squats 1" and then picks up a pad and then comes down a second inch and picks up the rear.
I have about 3,200 lbs of pin weight, and just riding on one spring pad created the bounce effect that putting the long bumper on the front pad stopped. I was down on both front and rear pads this trip.
Truck is 100% stock, bought new, about 17K miles on it now.
Jim
__________________
![](image.php?u=13157&type=sigpic&dateline=1487079794)
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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