Airbags

[dfb]

Originally Posted by Mikelff

It is on a 2017 250. They are exactly the same truck, except for the spring pack. It’s not just one spring/leaf. I believe the last two or three leaves have different, higher weight ratings to get the 1 ton GVWR and the rear GAWR. The Axles are also exactly the same, same front and rear. The higher rear GAWR for the 350 is due to the tires, rims, springs and axle mfg. rating. I think things started to change with the 2018 models. They all can be modified if necessary. Get this, the axle manufacturer (not GM) for 2017 model 250 and 350 rates the axle on their web site at 12, 000 or13, 000 lbs. Blew my mind. Chevy rates mine at 6200 standard. Don’t know why GM so much lower than mfg. I went looking for that info on the axle mfg. and now can’t find it...of course. 😳

Probably because the tires will pop at 13000 lbs?.

[GrahamLock]

I had airbags on all 5 of my last GMC 2500's and they worked just fine. No leaks, but I checked them at each trip. I have since gone to GMC 3500 and don't need them any more.

[fulltilt]

Hi
I had the Denali Crew 2500, SRW, short box, Duramax. I found from time to time my suspension would bottom on expansion joints etc, so I installed air bags. The fittings Firestone includes are really for water, not air & will leak. I would change them to compression fittings with inserts or copper lines with flare fittings. My truck performed best with 28# in the bags 5th wheel attached, this would be 8#, load off. I gave up trying to keep 5# in the bags when empty, it would leak out, but even at 5#, you could feel the difference empty. I pulled the damn bags out, went to a wrecker & bought the 3500 rear springs for $500.00 for everything. the 3500 spring pack uses the same 5 leaf pack as the 2500, but adds two overloads, that come into play when loaded. Ride doesn't change when unloaded.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by fulltilt

Hi
I had the Denali Crew 2500, SRW, short box, Duramax. I found from time to time my suspension would bottom on expansion joints etc, so I installed air bags. The fittings Firestone includes are really for water, not air & will leak. I would change them to compression fittings with inserts or copper lines with flare fittings. My truck performed best with 28# in the bags 5th wheel attached, this would be 8#, load off. I gave up trying to keep 5# in the bags when empty, it would leak out, but even at 5#, you could feel the difference empty. I pulled the damn bags out, went to a wrecker & bought the 3500 rear springs for $500.00 for everything. the 3500 spring pack uses the same 5 leaf pack as the 2500, but adds two overloads, that come into play when loaded. Ride doesn't change when unloaded.

I agree as I had a similar experience with a similar truck. The unloaded ride was not acceptable for us. If you need bags then chances are you need more suspension capacity. Not to mention being overloaded but that's another issue.

The term "air bags" sounds like a soft ride. They are not unless you are bottomed out without them.

[Sdgood1]

I have them on my f250 with compressor only for the purpose of leveling the TV, and found it also greatly improved the ride. Nice to be able to dump air and refill when hooked up, I found 50# is the number that works for me. Getting ready to put a set on my f-150, this is my 3rd set on 1/2 ton work trucks, again mostly to level truck when towing.. takes a lot of the bounce out..they have all leaked over an extended period of time. My choice is the Firestone. One set was 16 yrs. old and still worked like they were supposed to.. I would highly recommend them. Just my opinion!

[TLightning]

Mikelff....thanks for posting those stickers. I've been on this forum for a number of years and do not recall anybody doing what you have done to improve their trucks. If you are going to add a truck to your on line signature, I suggest you add a statement re the new DOT stickers. There are a lot of new people who ask tow questions on this forum and get a lot of bad advice from the 250/2500 drivers who like to say how great their trucks are. So the the new driver goes out and buys a truck and finds out later it does not have the ability to carry the pin weight and remain within limits. You would be doing them a favor.

[jloftice]

I put air bags on our 12 Ram 2500 shortly after we got it. 8 years and 80,000 miles going strong with never a leak. I put on an Airlift onboard pump with remote control. Hook up to the 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer I hit one button and the bags inflate to 35 psi. Unhook and I hit the second preset button and they deflate to 5psi. Ride never suffers!

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by jloftice

I put air bags on our 12 Ram 2500 shortly after we got it. 8 years and 80,000 miles going strong with never a leak. I put on an Airlift onboard pump with remote control. Hook up to the 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer I hit one button and the bags inflate to 35 psi. Unhook and I hit the second preset button and they deflate to 5psi. Ride never suffers!

Same setup as mine it sounds . the 72000 Airlift remote control air compressor, and the Airlift 5000 airbags . IMO the only way to go with an airbag setup.

[Falcon]

Originally Posted by TLightning

That's your opinion. Most on this forum would not agree with that statement, nor would the state officials who pull you over and question your weight. Your last statement is the key statement.

That's a little coarse. Maybe your thoughts are just opinion too. And maybe you aren't most people. Be courteous.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

Well, good for the dealer. Sounds like they are looking out for their liability, and hopefully your safety. So many don't. This is the first I heard of raising gvwr in a legal manner.

The key is finding a spring shop that can do these mods according to the DOT regs. Yup, I think they were looking out for their own liability more than my safety but hope it was both. That’s what they were telling me anyway.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by TLightning

Mikelff....thanks for posting those stickers. I've been on this forum for a number of years and do not recall anybody doing what you have done to improve their trucks. If you are going to add a truck to your on line signature, I suggest you add a statement re the new DOT stickers. There are a lot of new people who ask tow questions on this forum and get a lot of bad advice from the 250/2500 drivers who like to say how great their trucks are. So the the new driver goes out and buys a truck and finds out later it does not have the ability to carry the pin weight and remain within limits. You would be doing them a favor.

Thanks, I’ll have to do that. If it wasn’t for the dealer I bought the RV from, I wouldn’t have known about how to have certified mods done. It was interesting to find out that once the vehicle leaves the manufacturer, all their declared ratings cannot be changed except by them, however, modifications can be done and are governed by the DOT once the vehicle leaves the manufacturer. They are legal and presumed safe if they are performed by a certified modifier and require that new sticker to show the new ratings and were done by a certified modifier and done to DOT specs. The modifier assumes legal liability for performing the mods according to the DOT specs, so maybe that’s why these modifiers are hard to find? Don’t know. There also are limits to how much you can modify a vehicle. Don't know all the details about that because I never had to go there. To your point, my 2500 was NOT able to safely carry the 5er load that I bought. I would have been grossly overweight. Had I been able to find a used late model 3500 at the time, I would have bought it vs the 2500. For those that make the mistake and buy the truck first like I did, there are options to modify it or buy a different truck.

[77cruiser]

If air bags are so bad I don't think big rigs would have stuck with em for 60 years.

[Carguy1965]

Have had the Airlift 5000 bags on my last two trucks..



Have the onboard compressor now as well. They have worked great, dont leak, and never had any problems. Would not haul without them, but its all to level the truck and smooth the ride. Nothing to do with payload etc.

[Montana Man]

Who has installed airbags because they wanted their truck to ride smoother unloaded?

[TLightning]

Originally Posted by Falcon

That's a little coarse. Maybe your thoughts are just opinion too. And maybe you aren't most people. Be courteous.

My post was totally courteous, I'm trying to help a guy looking for accurate tow information, which he doesn't always get, and avoid a high dollar mistake. However, if the shoe fits.....

[Jamesb]

It is always better to go to the parts department, Internet or salvage yards to get a 3500 emblem. On Cheverolet’s, just remove the 2, and replace with a 3. Easy upgrade. Keeps people from being nosey.

Originally Posted by cotter key

Mike, I did pretty much the same thing with my last truck. The spring shop redid my spring pack in the 1500 pound range, went with different tires and all was well in my world. Had the truck before the camper, and didnt have the luxury of getting a new truck too.

But as soon as someone sees that 2500HD badge on the side of your truck you are a danger to the world. You can tell them about all the improvements you have done but you will never convince the naysayers.

My new truck has 3500HD on the side and no one questions it

[Slow Hand]

Looks like us Ford guys have good luck with air bags. Only the Chevy and Dodge guys are having issues. LOL

[77cruiser]

No problems with mine, but I have a GMC.

[Falcon]

Originally Posted by TLightning

My post was totally courteous, I'm trying to help a guy looking for accurate tow information, which he doesn't always get, and avoid a high dollar mistake. However, if the shoe fits.....

What shoe? Your analogy is misplaced. I was referring to you telling Mike he didn't know what he was doing with his modifications--and then he handed you your a$$.

[432bartman]

Been using the Firestone 5,000 lb. rated bags on the new truck and my previous 2007.5 Chevy 2500. No leaks so far.