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06-19-2016, 06:45 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Winlock
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #18697
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Air Bags or Springs?
I have a 2004 Chev 2500, duramax etc. I just bought a 2014 310RET Mountaineer. the Chev seems to squat a bit. Are air bags the solution or is there something better?
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06-19-2016, 12:27 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Being a 2004 I would first go to a good spring shop and have them check out the leaf springs and see if they need replaced.then go from their
Hopefully it is a 2500Hd I beleive in 2004 they made a 2500 3/4 ton and a 2500 HD IN 2002 THEY DID
ADD a leaf spring change out tires and wheels and you have a 1 ton rated
.
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06-19-2016, 01:02 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ione
Posts: 582
M.O.C. #11371
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I put Firestone air bags on my 2015 F250, air bags when pulling or loading heavy, no air in bags when empty for softer ride.
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06-19-2016, 01:34 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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I have had both on very similar F0350 pulling a 06 3400 and now a 13 3402.We prefer the air bags.
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06-19-2016, 04:36 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Air bags
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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06-19-2016, 06:09 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vista
Posts: 343
M.O.C. #4075
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AIR BAGS
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06-20-2016, 01:17 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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I have the Air Lift bags with on board compressor and set up works great. They do not increase carrying capacity and I didn't really need them to but only wanted to improve the ride. I run them at 20 psi while towing and 5 psi otherwise.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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06-20-2016, 04:27 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 1,153
M.O.C. #3403
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Air bags for us.
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06-20-2016, 05:07 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SWFL
Posts: 964
M.O.C. #17801
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I'm not familiar with your truck, but can say I'm satisfied with the Firestone air springs I recently put on my F350 to level it out. It also helps, I think, with those horrible dips before and after some interstate bridges I've discovered along Rte95. I keep 5lbs in them as recommended by Firestone, and have gone up to 30lbs when towing. I'm going to experiment with a bit more air on my next trip, maybe 40-45lbs.
__________________
2016 Montana 3711FL
2005 Ford F350, 6.0 diesel, short bed
Demco Hitchiker Auto Slide hitch
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06-20-2016, 06:47 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Redlands
Posts: 460
M.O.C. #9135
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We went with air bags also. Very happy with them.
__________________
2011 3150RL
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06-20-2016, 12:18 PM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Winlock
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #18697
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Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm going with Air Bags.
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06-26-2016, 12:42 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Well, even after your decision another vote for air bags. They allow more customization of load adjustments.
Even though, it's been claimed otherwise, I believe most trucks will sag a little even while staying within the weight limits. Physically speaking putting an extra ton or more on the rear of any truck whether a load in the bed or a trailer's tongue will cause sag. I went with airbags to allow more adjustment for maintaining the same aspect of my truck's stance. I measure the distance between the top of the tire to the apex of the wheel well. Then I hitch up. Then I inflate the air bags until it's ALMOST the same (you gotta allow a little sag). Doing this prevents turning your headlights into highbeam caused by any sag of your rear end. I'll usually need anywhere from 45 to 60 lbs per my in cab air bag gauge and depending on how much crap I put in the truck bed. Your numbers will vary since all trucks and/or trailers and their loads are different. I inflate each side 10 lbs difference per side (as recommended by the instructions for my Firestone air bags) until they are both at the same numbers. I deflate the same way too, about 10 lb difference per side.
During long trips I'm always surprised that these values don't change, but I'm guessing that's a good thing. When not towing I keep each side at 7 psi.
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06-26-2016, 01:08 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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As an add on to Art-n-Marge, you are trying to haul a 14k+ 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton truck with a max cargo capacity of between 2,300 and 2,400 pounds (if a 4 x 4). The pin weight on that trailer is around 2,800 lbs. When you add all the stuff we carry to the pin weight...there's your "squat."
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