Air bags

[mcaslaon4449]

It has been suggested that I purchase airbags for my 2007, half ton, full size, 4x4 Toyota Tundra pickup to raise the back of the pick up slightly to level out the front of the trailer. Has anyone had experience with purchasing these airbags? What brand? What price? Has it been a successful? Any suggestions are welcome.

[pmclemore]

Have you installed a WD (weight distributing) hitch? You should not need airbags.

Pat

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
Yep...not needed if WD is correct and adjusted properly.👍

Who gave the recommendation? Firestone😂

Bob
🇺🇸

[UncleBad]

My F250 came from the factory with the front end a little lower than the rear. I never liked that look. However, When towing with a WD hitch there is a little sag in the rear and the truck then looks level.

I then leveled the truck so that when not towing the truck is level. This then caused a bit of sag when towing even with a properly adjusted WD hitch.

I added airbags to compensate. Will also help when I am hauling heavy items in the truck. Simple install and many people use them for the same reason.

[ROBERT CROSS]

??? "Properly" adjusted WD...If your truck rear end drops when you hitch-up and you can't get it level with WD something is wrong with your hitch set-up.


But...Bags, use 'em if you think you need 'em. TETO

Bob
🇺🇸
Disclaimer...I know nothing I'm new here. 😂

Level...no bags 😗

[Alumaholic]

The Automatic Level Control on my 2018 Yukon Denali XL is driving me nuts.
It works at cross purposes to my weight distribution hitch and cannot be over ridden by the operator.
If you set up your weight distribution hitch properly, you should not need air bags.

[daleyocum]

I do know that my airbags on my F150 are great about helping deal with porpoising. My WD hitch is adjusted properly according to the CAT scale but the standard shocks in my F150 are really too compliant for a load that’s fairly close to the rated load of the truck. About 40 lbs in the airbags makes all the difference.

You might be able to get a similar effect with a shock upgrade, I haven’t tried.

What I like about airbags is I can have one setting when towing and then basically turn them off when not. That makes driving the truck around town much less jarring.

I have firestone airbags with the Airlift remote. Do NOT buy the firestone wireless remote. A complete piece of junk with limited range and a confusing UI.

[UncleBad]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

??? "Properly" adjusted WD...If your truck rear end drops when you hitch-up and you can't get it level with WD something is wrong with your hitch set-up.





But...Bags, use 'em if you think you need 'em. TETO



Bob

[emoji631]

Disclaimer...I know nothing I'm new here. [emoji23]



Level...no bags [emoji10]

I sense sarcasm... :-)

However I did leave out that it was properly adjusted when first purchased. Level as well when towing AS. Agree you do not need bags to get level.

My poorly made point was that I then made adjustments to the suspension with front level kit which threw things off. I also haul heavy stuff in the bed of the truck when not towing. The bags are to help when hauling and when I need to tow the AS and am a bit over on the tongue.

I currently have 1,000 bars with the sway pro, can goto 1,500 if needed. I will have to play with the number of links I am using to get level sans bags, but very nice to have them when needed.

[J. Morgan]

I am pretty sure that a lot of towers use too much WD making their combinations more unstable than they should be.

That’s an educated opinion that I happened upon while setting up my WD “the right way” only to be happier with “doing it wrong”.

I’m going to buck conventionality here and say that if your truck squats just a little in the back you might actually be doing it right.

That’s just my opinion, and it may be disregarded in total just the same as I will disregard anyone who might tell me I’m wrong about all that...

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
Yep

A little down squat in front=TW, which helps control.
Low trailer butt, not good.

Heavy WD bars will contribute to a stiff ride.

POI...I didn't realize Ford offered a FE "Level Kit"
“Nothing is so disappointing as unappreciated sarcasm.”
Bob
🇺🇸

[UncleBad]

I am not young enough to know everything which is why I enjoy this forum.

My understanding is that we want a level TV but that the front of the AS should be slightly lower than the rear.

When I picked up my AS I measured front and back. The front of the AS was 15 inches from the ground and the rear of the AS was 16 inches from the ground, if I remember correctly. I believe this what your referring to Bob?

As for the FE level kit I don’t think they do, but depending on the build I have heard that some trucks do come level. I think for example that the snow plow option levels out the truck. Mine certainly was not level which always drove me nuts. My Rover is always level and I guess I am mister used to that look.