Firestone Airbags Necessary?

[wingsofaguila]

We have a 2018 Ford F350 we put the firestone airbags on because we thought we were going to get a truck camper. haha.

Just bought a 2011 3150RL. We would like to put on a hitch with hidden rails.

Do we need to remove the firestone airbags if we want hidden rails? or should we put the above rail hitch on and keep the airbags?

[jcurtis934]

Would have thought that your truck is set up by ford with a puck system under the bed to take care of any fifth wheel hitch. Might want to inquire with dealer on this.

[PNW Fireguy]

I have Airlift bags on our rig with a B&W ball hitch under the bed. With a truck that new I would have thought it would come with the puck system too.

[wnorton]

The OEM PUCK SYSTEM is an option. It is not standard.

[Slufoot733]

First off, you will NOT need air bags for that 3150RL. We have a 2010 3150RL, towed with a 2016 F350. That 350 has pleaty of 'spring' to handle that Monty.
As for the under the bed rails, you have options. You can get the Ford PUCK system installed or you can get an after market system like the B&W Turnover Ball: http://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/turnoverball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDm40ZWg4Q0

Both work great and leave the bed completely clean when the hitch is removed.

[WeBeFulltime]

Keep the bags. Although not needed, the ride will be much better. I have had Firestones and Air Lift both and prefer the Air Lift. More "robust" in my opinion. If not already done, add the onboard air. Worth the $.

[richfaa]

We have airbags . The truck dropped 2 1/2 inches when hooked up and we installed them to get the 2 1/2 inches back.

[STIHLNTIME]

I would keep the bags, as previously stated they offer a better ride imho.

[Jamesb]

We have the Firestone Air Bags and under bed rails. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I highly recommend the B&W set up.

[dieselguy]

I have air bags on my F350 pulling our 3150RL ... did the truck "need " them ... no. Did it help the ride ... yes. Anything you can do to absorb shock going down the road is a no brainer. I'd surely keep them on. I run about 30 - 32 psi in mine with the fiver sitting on the truck. I always set pressure with the fiver sitting on the truck ... if you don't, the pressure will be 10+ psi higher when you sit the fiver on it depending on pin weight.

[1retired06]

Originally Posted by richfaa

We have airbags . The truck dropped 2 1/2 inches when hooked up and we installed them to get the 2 1/2 inches back.

Same problem. Same solution for us.

[Golfmedik]

For the OP, IF your bags and rails do not fit together, Firestone makes a bracket kit for trucks with underbed hitches and one without. If you have the one without, call SDTrucksprings.com and they can get you a bracket kit to fit the bags you already have. The bags are the same, it's just the upper mounting bracket that will be different. It's pretty cheap and bags are a great addition to anyone pulling anything.

[Texan]

My truck squats about 2'' with 3480 pounds sitting on it. The air-bags keeps everything running level and i don't blind everyone with my headlights when traveling at night.Some people still think air-bags are so you have more capacity which it doesn't. Level and ride is what i look for with air-bags.

[jimandlaurie]

Love the Airbags ...really helps leveling and and handling for us.

[The Bone]

I put the bags on my truck then hit the road. Man they were nice. Only problem eas we went on a cross country tri9p. Went to about 26 different cities. So when i got to them we air down than air back up when we left. Silly me I now have the onboard compressor. Should have done that in the first place. I didnt get the wireless one because I think I would lose the remote. I have a 15 F250

[waynemoore]

I have Firestone air bags on my F350 just to level the TW and rig out. A level rig is much more stable, helps put equal weight on each of the axels better tire wear. (Yes I know the weight is not distributed equally from the factory do to placement of items in the rig, frig and the like). Plus I don't like to blind the other traffic with my head lights. I want to see the road not the birds in the trees.

[FiveOfastback]

Airbags factory puck system and remote air pump
Only way to go!
3950 BR squats dually enough to want it level again and ride is better too.

[PeteandJoan]

Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime

Keep the bags. Although not needed, the ride will be much better. I have had Firestones and Air Lift both and prefer the Air Lift. More "robust" in my opinion. If not already done, add the onboard air. Worth the $.

X2. On board air....yeah.

[laverdur]

I ordered my 2013 F350 with the OEM 5er hitch. When I hooked up my 2012 3150RL the rear suspension dropped 2-2.5 inches. Yes, the truck can handle the 3150 without air bags but is is nice to be able to level it up after connecting the Monty. I installed an airbag self-leveling system and made connections to the truck up-fitter switches for the compressor and the kneel function. I start with the air bags at full inflation based on the leveling sensor. Once on the road I bleed a little air out of the bags with the kneel function to improve ride quality. I've towed my Monty 65,000 miles like this and have no complaints.

[BuilderBob]

I did Air Lift on my 3500 Dodge just to help with the ride I put 25# when the 5er is hooked up made all the diff in the world.