Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-20-2010, 06:27 AM   #1
2Wanderers
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Littleton
Posts: 183
M.O.C. #9998
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
2Wanderers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 06:44 AM   #2
capn chris
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Arnold
Posts: 1,200
M.O.C. #2586
Send a message via AIM to capn chris Send a message via Yahoo to capn chris
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.
capn chris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 07:34 AM   #3
SlickWillie
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,376
M.O.C. #6575
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.
SlickWillie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 10:09 AM   #4
Jay Bird
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 2,351
M.O.C. #6831
I do not have air bags and have had no problems
Jay Bird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 10:21 AM   #5
bobivy
Established Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wilmington
Posts: 20
M.O.C. #9557
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.
bobivy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 10:40 AM   #6
BB_TX
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,133
M.O.C. #6433
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)
BB_TX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 10:59 AM   #7
jimcol
Montana Master
 
jimcol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,702
M.O.C. #7992
Send a message via AIM to jimcol Send a message via MSN to jimcol
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
jimcol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 11:22 AM   #8
Art-n-Marge
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
Send a message via MSN to Art-n-Marge Send a message via Yahoo to Art-n-Marge
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.
Art-n-Marge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 12:30 PM   #9
kdeiss
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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
kdeiss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2010, 12:41 PM   #10
wswebster
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Three Rivers
Posts: 266
M.O.C. #1249
No air bags and no sag.
wswebster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2010, 02:37 AM   #11
tjuhl
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas
Posts: 102
M.O.C. #7213
Another vote for Timbrens
tjuhl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2010, 04:32 AM   #12
Tom S.
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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.
Tom S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 12:54 PM   #13
azleflyer
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Azle
Posts: 615
M.O.C. #9140
I use the airbags and like the "ride" they provide.
azleflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 02:42 PM   #14
PapaBeav
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Apache Junction
Posts: 1,726
M.O.C. #7487
I have the Firestone Air Bags for the sole purpose of leveling the rig when towing, nothing else. They work work well for that.
PapaBeav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2010, 06:37 PM   #15
BradNSW
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #10057
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.
BradNSW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2010, 05:33 AM   #16
NASCARon
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Erie
Posts: 53
M.O.C. #4082
If I were you I wouldn't add air bags unless my truck was squatting.
NASCARon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2010, 06:35 AM   #17
bjj5633
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: haverhill
Posts: 182
M.O.C. #9546
no airbags and I sit nice and level.
bjj5633 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Airbags J-KB Tow Vehicles & Towing 16 03-28-2015 04:12 AM
airbags okierver General Discussions about our Montanas 25 05-19-2011 03:36 AM
Airbags waldo238 Tow Vehicles & Towing 11 03-16-2008 04:27 AM
How many are using AirBags RMccord Tow Vehicles & Towing 26 10-25-2007 05:07 PM
AIRBAGS Montana_1945 Tow Vehicles & Towing 3 04-09-2005 06:15 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.