Air Springs? Thinking of a set, tips or recommendations?

[lokidog]

Hi y'all. 2020 F150, 4wd, crew, 6.5' bed.

I'm pulling my Hewes 24' boat and occasionally a heavily loaded 18' covered utility trailer. I've been thinking these might give me a better ride. Any thoughts? Looking at DIY.

Saw these. https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/59570/

The load rating must be for the load put on the air spring? This one is 2000#.

Thanks for any input/ideas, I'm more of a boat guy than a truck guy. 

[KFhunter]

Yup, no brainer.

You'll probably find yourself leaving it perpetually at 5lbs, it does make the empty ride a bit harsher, the manufacturer says to leave a min 5lbs of air. 

Most folks leave it there as its plenty, unless you upgrade to the full enchilada and get guages and on-board air which is $$ but worth it for a heavy tow rig, but prolly not an f-150

You could always upgrade later too

[Broomd]

Get the Firestone Ride-Rite bags...the air lift have a jounce bump stop that can affect ride when empty.

I've been using air springs for about twenty years and immediately set up every truck with them, excellent product.

[Stein]

I put that exact kit on my 2016, works great and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  The install is very straight forward and the only thing you have to do is pick the location for the valves.  I put mine inside the wheel well.

I have a similar kit on my older truck and will likely add them to whatever trucks I have in the future.

There is no difference in the ride when they are unloaded.  I believe only the 5,000 pound setups have jounce bumpers and they are there because install requires removing the factory jounce bumpers.

[birddogdad]

Firestone makes a kit i installed with compressor and tank on frame.. was pretty easy. only thing i didn't like was the wire size to compressor, felt too light. i installed a relay with heavier gage from battery to compressor on frame, relay run to ignition key service so it only runs if key is on. just incase a line parts when you are away from vehicle and batteries don't run dead by the compressor trying to makeup air. These kits with tank also come with connection near tank that can be used to air up tires as emergent need. 

i opted for this vs the Schrader fittings near license plate (cheap option) those you simply add air directly to bags thru fitting. the above way has switch system and left side/ right side gage and control to separately adjust on fly, instructions discuss psi/loads.

either way you go, within weekend mechanics ability to install.

[lokidog]

Thanks guys!

[James]

Air springs work!

When adding air bags their spring capacity adds to your leaf spring capacity to get total spring capacity.  For example 2000lb air springs plus a 4000lb rear leaf springs gives you 6000lb total spring capacity IF they are all set up correctly (you can get into a situation where the bags are overloaded and the leaf spring are not fully loaded and vice versa).  Keep in mind this does not change your tire rating, rear axle weight rating (RAWR), etc.

Other option is a higher rated spring pack or helper springs that contact frame horns when the truck is loaded.  Helper springs is what OEM's generally do with light duty trucks. Plusses and minus's to both bags and helper springs.

[elksnout]

Same truck as OP. Installed Firestone air bags on it and my son's 2011 F150. I've not been disappointed once in their performance.


elksnout

[Sakko300wsm]

Airlift makes a great kit and has a very nice ride. I had the remote set up installed on my 21 Ram 2500 as I pull some very heavy boats and I have a 30’ camp trailer. I went with the remote control version with onboard air and that is the only way I would ever do it again. I fill it up to haul my trailer camping - then when I get where I’m going , I can simple deflate to 5 pounds and drive logging roads without getting the crap beat out of you and then simply inflate for the drive home

[thinkingman]

What is your purpose for using the airbags?
Ride height or bottoming?

I used the same kit on my T****a T****a (gotta be real sensitive toward some 'truck' owners)  and it did a good job of raising the ride height but unfortunately was forced to act as the main spring due to sagging of the OE leafs.
I ended up popping one of the bags and they warrantied it.
I then ordered proper leaf pack and springs and did away with the airbags.
The install was easy.
I ran the Shrader valves back to the flange that held the trailer electrics and drilled two holes...I would never run the air circuit off of one line.
If you need more suspension capacity, I would go with add-a-leafs or the solid rubber bump stops.
If you only need to raise the ride height, the airbags work.
As mentioned, always keep at least 5psi in them and be careful if you jack up the rear from the frame, you can stretch and tear the bags.  Jack the axle.

[lokidog]

What is your purpose for using the airbags?
Ride height or bottoming?

I used the same kit on my T****a T****a (gotta be real sensitive toward some 'truck' owners)  and it did a good job of raising the ride height but unfortunately was forced to act as the main spring due to sagging of the OE leafs.
I ended up popping one of the bags and they warrantied it.
I then ordered proper leaf pack and springs and did away with the airbags.
The install was easy.
I ran the Shrader valves back to the flange that held the trailer electrics and drilled two holes...I would never run the air circuit off of one line.
If you need more suspension capacity, I would go with add-a-leafs or the solid rubber bump stops.
If you only need to raise the ride height, the airbags work.
As mentioned, always keep at least 5psi in them and be careful if you jack up the rear from the frame, you can stretch and tear the bags.  Jack the axle.

Pretty much for the ride height.

[Encore 280]

Have you checked on Timbren systems? I had them on an '06 F150 with 6.5' bed and hauled a Lance 8' camper and  17' Arima in tow and it did just fine.

[fishngamereaper]

Go one of the routes mentioned above for air bags. On board adjustable. Buddy has it and loves it.
I'm towing the same size boat with my GM hd. I've got Timbren bump stops. They work great when towing, keep the truck level, stop downward travel and there is no tounge bounce or front end sway....  But when not towing...they sure stop the downward travel.. sometimes a little to harsh. And I'm running upgraded Bilstein shocks. I'll be upgrading to air bags this summer.

[thinkingman]

Have you checked on Timbren systems? I had them on an '06 F150 with 6.5' bed and hauled a Lance 8' camper and  17' Arima in tow and it did just fine.

Timbrens are what I was trying to think of when I said 'solid rubber bump stops'.
If I needed extra capacity to reduce bottoming, that's what I would use.
For more ride height, I would use the airbags.
It's a good kit.

[Flaming Antler Outdoors]

 

Yup, no brainer.

You'll probably find yourself leaving it perpetually at 5lbs, it does make the empty ride a bit harsher, the manufacturer says to leave a min 5lbs of air. 

Most folks leave it there as its plenty, unless you upgrade to the full enchilada and get guages and on-board air which is $$ but worth it for a heavy tow rig, but prolly not an f-150

You could always upgrade later too

[Flaming Antler Outdoors]

I have air bags on my F150 and it was probably the best upgrade i ever did.  Even considering them on the new F350.  Amazing especially if you ever put a camper on it. 

[mtn.goat]

Like many have already mentioned, Air bags are the absolute best option for capacity and ride comfort together.  I’ve run them for over 20 years and they’re great, especially being able to adjust for the load on your back.  I’ve hauled 12’ truck campers for all those years and towed my Bronco, or boats etc.  I’m actually getting ready to add a second set to my 350 Superduty, only because my current camper is 4500# before I load it with food and gear.  A slide on each side really adds weight.  My 5000# bags are smashed further than I’d like, so a second inboard set will help immensely. 
As mentioned by one other, these won’t help as much with a worn out spring pack, so a good foundation is important.  I’ll be adding bags to my wife’s F-150 soon also, not that it’ll see much heavy laden adventures, but they’re there if you load it up etc.

[KFhunter]

I had a too heavy camper on a ram 2500 and it went from "omg were gonna flop over!"  to "ok this is doable, if I go easy in the corners"

Next step was heavy torsion bar, but I got rid of that camper for a 30' bumper pull, too many kids 

[bearpaw]

I have air bags on my F150 and it was probably the best upgrade i ever did.  Even considering them on the new F350.  Amazing especially if you ever put a camper on it.

I have air bags on my F350, when I have a heavy load or pulling heavy trailers it makes a world of difference in handling. 

[lokidog]

Thanks for all of your input. Would it be better to get a weight distribution hitch instead, or in addition to?

[Magnum_Willys]

Thanks for all of your input. Would it be better to get a weight distribution hitch instead, or in addition to?

Both, start with the hitch.
For half tons its easy to just slip the bag in the coils.   

[lokidog]

Thanks for all of your input. Would it be better to get a weight distribution hitch instead, or in addition to?

Both, start with the hitch.
For half tons its easy to just slip the bag in the coils.

I can see that for leveling, but for handling, it looks like the hitch would be better? 

[MADMAX]

I’ve got both on my tundra
Air lift bags and WD hitch
Pulling a 24 ft Minnie Winnie is a breeze

[Magnum_Willys]

Thanks for all of your input. Would it be better to get a weight distribution hitch instead, or in addition to?

Both, start with the hitch.
For half tons its easy to just slip the bag in the coils.

I can see that for leveling, but for handling, it looks like the hitch would be better? 

Exactly!  Hitch for sure then add bags if needed.