Who here is towing with full rear air suspensions on their trucks? How does the ride compare to stock, with and without the trailer? I am trying to decide wheather or not I want to spend the money to replace the stock leaf springs.
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ORDERED 6/24/05
Born on 9/14/05
Length 22' 7"
Weight 9120 lbs
Delivered on 10/7/05
06 F-450 CC 6.0 PSD 6-speed Lariat with a Aerotow bed from Manning.
I have a DIY arrangement using Granning leaf and bags moved inboard, plus a panhard rod. It is not a 4-link for drag racing or sled pulling (will wind up and tramp if you launch - obviously empty - that hard). My shocks are mounted much further aft (giving a lot more damping and matching the shorter travel). Overall, the system works extremely well. Ride empty over small bumps is much softer than springs, but big over very abrupt bumps are quite stiff (maybe a bit more than springs were). About the same comments loaded (my rear axle usually runs from 10k - 12k) - very smoothe over small bumps, fairly stiff over very sharp or large ones). I need the air system for two reason - I have HID lighting and tripple torsion axle trailer. Both require that the truck stay at exactly the same ride height regardless of load. Next time I will build the trailer in air as well.
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2000 F450 Lariat 4x4 tractor, Air Dog, Reg Mod, HX, bypass filter, Banks Power Elbow w/3.5 dp, no intake heat, CCV mod, AIS (w/extra hole), DI stage IIs, GP indicator LED, custom 4" exhaust, 4" USG exhaust brake, USG 0.8555 aux. trans. (shift switch in knob), custom air susp., custom alum. rear diff cover extension (dipstick & temp), Detroit locker, ESPAR D5 aux. heat, custom alum tow deck and fuel tanks, Bushwacker 1 1/2" flares, 9k winch, gin poles, Bi-Xenon in '03 Crystals, Lightforce Striker 170 (still Halogen, but VERY bright), Hella Micro DE HID fogs, KW (Isspro) instruments, more to come & lots of other diesels
I am using the truck to tow a fifth wheel camper that weights 13k and has a pin weight of 2800 lbs. My daughter is constantly complaining about the ride in the back seat. My wife has mentioned it once or twice, and she normally does not complain.
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ORDERED 6/24/05
Born on 9/14/05
Length 22' 7"
Weight 9120 lbs
Delivered on 10/7/05
06 F-450 CC 6.0 PSD 6-speed Lariat with a Aerotow bed from Manning.
I just ordered the Kelderman MFG rear two bag system for my F550-unloaded, the ride is unbearable. I should have it installed next week, and then we can compare before and after.
__________________ My truck BEST ET: 12.89 MPH: 109.24 Pictures
I have a F 550 with air suspension the ride is smooth in the back especially towing a trailerbut ride is still stiff in the front. I would also recomend that you change out the front suspension because its pretty stiff at least for my truck because I have the extra heavy duty front suspension package. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
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Ford F550 Crew Cab 4x4 with Fontaine Bed and Air
I have a 2002 F-550 with Kelderman rear air ride that retains the rear springs controlled from inside the cab and air bags in front. I have Utility Bodywerks elite towing bed with 7 compartments. The ride is still harsh without my 5th wheel, 2003 Teton 37', but a lot better with the trailer attached.
ive got a air system under my truck and love it the ride quality to springs is uncomparible. i will never go back to springs again.
i tow a 14k horse trailer 4 days a week and its so much of a better ride. it makes it nice hitching and unhitching i can just drop the air out of the back and drive out from under the trailer.
for the 450/550's i would go with the link system.
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97 F250HD 4X4 210K MI
4 LINKED FRONT AND REAR ON AIR
want to put tandem axle under rear of my 04 e450. was gonna put air on rear axle to lift when not towing. vague understanding of problems with 1 stock spring axle and one fabricated air 2nd axle. any tandem axle air suspension set ups for this vehicle like semi's? thanks for the help.
2003 F350 Lariat, 4x4, CC, SRW, Dark Green Fx4 SOLD
1995 C3500 6.5l work trk, 2x4, CC, DRW, white DECEASED PREMATURALLY
2003 JEEP WRANGLER, ooooops, not anymore!
1986 26' Seaway Northstar w/ 454 Mercruiser
2008 Montana Mountaineer 332PHT
1991 GMC Topkick, CAT, 4' vert. gang boxes, 12' dump. if only all were as reliable!
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Who here is towing with full rear air suspensions on their trucks? How does the ride compare to stock, with and without the trailer? I am trying to decide wheather or not I want to spend the money to replace the stock leaf springs.
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I am...but was actually toying with the idea of taking
some leafs out. I'd posted something on another forum or
forum section about it. One guy had taken out about 6 leafs and
got a better ride.
in the upgrades aftermarket area...1999 and up superduties..
I also needed to lower my suspension a bit.
I tow, but don't carry alot of weight in the bed...and
my kids complain about the ride, too.
Wally
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As of May 1, 2006, this is what I have:
94' F250, ext cab, 4x4, Factory IDI turbo, TRANS command, K&N Air filter, straight pipe, rebuilt E40D, 179k miles (E40D died again..)
2000 F550, PSD, 4.88 rear, 4x4, auto, crew cab, centurian bed. 146k miles,
Update on 17 Nov, 2005, added Edge Evolution,
Put muffler delete pipe on in April, 2006, need to
install my gauges next.
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), frame cover. maybe a Herd front bumper.
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