Who's running Air Bags with a B&W hitch?

[F350_6]

If so what brand? Are your mounted inside the wheel or outside? I've read about brackets failing on some of the "fit's 5th wheel hitch" models, and about the lever rubbing a hole in the bag on another one. I don't need onboard air just a decent set of bags.
02 F350 SRW CC LWB.

Thanks.

[bcoakley]

Surprised you haven't got a response on this one yet. I have the Firestone airbags on mine with the B&W. I think they are model #2400. They are mounted directly between the axle and the frame. Initially I ran the filler valves out through the license plate frame, but got tired of dragging my portable airtank along and has since mounted a onboard compressor just in front of the fuel tank and put the gauge and controls in the glovebox. I know some guys have had problems with these bags, I'm wodering how much weight they may have put on them and/or was the install done correctly? I have had no problems at all so far. For me, they make a huge difference, especially in the driveability while towing. Last trip I was kind of in a hurry when hooking up and didn't get enough air in the bags prior to leaving. I usually use a set amount of pounds (65#). Something felt weird, so I asked the wife to open the glovebox and check. Sure enough, only had about 50-55 pounds, she pumped them up to 65# and I could actually feel the difference in how the truck/trailer was driving. Nice to have that capability while running down the road.

[F350_6]

Thanks for the response. I ended up getting the Firestone 2330 kit. Had to move the brake lines around a bit so they wouldn't rub but otherwise it worked out great.

[LabRat]

I've had Air Lift air bags for some time now. Just installed B&W under bed mount hitch (actually had someone do it). Air bags mount over hitch bracket now which has the bag tilted in brackets. I'll test it for now but it may need a bracket mod to get right again. Either way, they ride outsied the frame & the rod doesn't rub on the bag.

[ProDriver18]

I'm with rideblue. My bags also mount between the springs and frame. I can't remember if they are model 2400 or what. I do know that they are the correct bags for my application because I called Firestone and talked with a tech about them when I was shopping for a set.
They've been on there for a couple hundred thousand miles now with zero problems. I pull trailers that sometimes weigh up to 16,500 lbs and the bags make a huge difference, I wouldn't do without them.

[PSDCool]

I had a B&W hitch on my 05 F350 w/Firestone air bags don't remember the model number but the bags were installed inside the two frame rails. I normally tow a 5th wheeler weighing in around 17k, let's say king pin weight would be 3.4k. I pump the bags up to 55-65Lbs. and the levels the truck up and removes the rear from squatting. Also, a good trick I use when unhooking the trailer is pumping the bags up to 80 Lbs. so it takes some of the stress off the 5th wheeler landing gear. After I lower the landing gear down then I deflate the bags to about 30Lbs. then I unhook the trailer. I just bought a F450 and I also installed the Firestone bags. Great setup.

[F350_6]

Well I've had them for a couple of thousand miles now and have to say I can't believe I waited 238,000 miles to get some. The 2 things I have noticed that I did not expect is
1) My headlights work better now since my rear spring sag is corrected.
2) The inside the frame mount seems to have worsened my rear sway control slightly.

I looked at the air lift springs, but their "no drill" kit involved drilling out a and replacing with a bolt for mounting.

All I know for sure is the first 2 things I'll do to my next truck will be heated seats and air bags. I guess the season will decide which comes first.

[reba]

If you install these yourself, it will be much easier if you remove the spare tire. You will then have lots of room to move around.

After driving for 500 miles check all nuts and bolts.