What say you? I am looking at getting airbags and the two that I am down to are the Airlift loadlifter 5000 #57291 and the Firestone Riderite #2400. I am also putting in a G. neck hitch so these are the only two applications that I can use. What has been you experiences with either?
I have no exp except with my Firestone's and they have served me well. I bought the complete kit with comp and guage and controls in the cab. I love em.
I had the Firestones on my 2000 for 5 years with no issues. As soon as they have a kit for the '11 I'll get a set. Make sure you get the right ones. Firestone has a different set up for trucks with 5th wheel and GN hitches. I'm not sure if Air Lift does.
Any one have anything to add??
Anything new from either company?
Im looking at getting a set for my 250.
I saw that Firestone has a new set-up (R4 tech) for the smaller superdutys - similar to the kit on my 450. It looks pretty SWEET, but costs quite a bit.
Id proly want to spend the $600 or so for the helper bags + wireless remote.
Does anyone have any experience with the wireless systems either company offer?
Im also thinking about adding one of the small airtanks, just for 4 wheeler tires mostly....
Has anyone compared the quality /specs on the compressors they offer?
Also - I dont have a GN hitch NOW...but what if I wanted to add one later? Can I get a set of bags designed for a hitch and use them without one?
I've had both bags at different times & both perform as well as the other.
I have the Airlift wireless kit on my 97 & it works flawlessly. Takes a little time to put in but very easy to use, plus it's portable, has 2 or 3 different settings you can save, will control 2 or 4 bag systems & seems well made.
Look at B&W turnoverball hitches. you can convert them to fifth wheel with a few add-ons. A little pricey but extremely well made stuff. They have kits for most newer stuff too.
We put Firestone's on my dads a few years back. The instructions were horrible and we had a bad valve stem. I would buy an Air Lift system and unless you have a goose neck hitch, get the outboard bags. They are a lot more stable than the inboard bags.
It sucked when the switch went out on the firestone setup on my 450... they would only sell me a whole new gauge+mount+switch and it was over $100 if I remember corectly.
Wingnut - Thanks for the pic - those are the Air lifts right?
Have any of you used carling switches to controll the air??
I forgot - I have a 650 dash here with switches made already
I actually got the idea from a pic of another member's 650 dash I saw on here (the one with all the "wood")
I think It'd be nice to have the wireless control/gauge AND the buttons on the dash! That way if the battery dies, I run over the remote, or Im just in one of those parking lots where wireless things dont work that good, Ill have the switches for backup.
No matter what everyone says i still dont beleive they ride the same. My dads 06 doesnt seem to ride as good after the bags, and offroad im sure they dont help. With air in them they prevent the suspension from full movement which is what they are supposed to do, but when you hit a bump to me that translates into a rough ride. I want to install the bolt on kit on mine once i pull my overloads so i can take them on and off when im gonna tow heavy.
Sorry i just dont believe it when people says it rides the same on a flat road maybe, not in rough roads and offroad.:swordfight:
Sorry for the rant. Its just my opinion...
Maybe it's cause I'm old but with 4psi which is what Firestone recomends I can't tell much diff. Even on mtn forest rds. I noticed a diff when I conv it to a dually, twice as many sidewalls.
I'm actually kinda glad to see you guys talkin about this... I'm gonna be lowering the F350 soon, and plan to add a set of helper bags. Where are the best places to shop for either of them?
im trying to figure out what i want to do on my 250. i have a pair of 2600lb(each) firestone bags and want to put them on my truck shortly. have a compressor and soleniods as well already. i just need a new tank and mounting brackets. anyone know if the firestone bags will bolt on the air lift brackets?
i got the firestone on my 450... with how i mounted them i run 30 psi even when empty. might not be meant for that and when they break im only gonna blame my self. but with the right shocks my truck rides SIGNIFICANTLY better. still feel the bumps but i prefer not feeling the jolts when all the wait is on the springs.
For anyone wanting to run a fifth wheel or GN hitch you need Firestone kit #2330, mounts the bags on the inside of the frame.
I've been trying to find more information on their new G4 Tech kit, seems like a nice set up and no doubt will improve ride quality, still pretty pricey.
It's obviously a down graded spring system with the air bags taking the majority of the load.
One great feature is the J spring which more or less will act like a track bar due to it's mounting position. Also has a feature where you can flip a valve and the bags will depressurize and squat the rear down for easy loading/hookup of trailers.
The only thing I don't like about the kit is it's not designed so you can adjust the PSI in the bags, it's all done automatically through air valves that sense the height of the vehicle/axle and automatically maintains the same ride height all the time.
Any reasons you guys don't consider the Timbrens? They provide great overload protection, but when empty, they don't even touch the suspension system. So it's pure stock, as good as the ride can get with our trucks.... just seems like a more logical, trouble free solution.
I have them on my '03 dually, may or may not get them for my '11 SRW,, not sure.
i went with the pac brake set up. supposed to be stronger and built better. i did run into a problem installing my goose-neck later on because they mounted to the outside of the frame rails. with some minor modifications and welding, it all worked out and i have had no problems. i also installed a compressor, tank, valves, and a dual-needle gauge in the dash to monitor the pressure.
i need some bags. i have the b&w turnover and im not finding any bags that will definitely fit on the outside of the frame. the extra stability would be nice. i would really appreciate some first hand experience with this
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