F250 - Air Bags?

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by MIFL19H

My Air Lift kit was deliverd yesterday, opened the box tonight to start the Bag assembly and found out I only have 3 Roll Plates, need 4 as they are the end caps for the Air Bags. The Kit looked like it was boxed by a kid, I am not impressed so far.

Needless to say I am not happy as tomorrow was about the only day I had to install them before picking up our camper in 3 weeks.

Sounds like they sent you an open box or a return. Mine came sealed and complete. I wouldn't let that sway your decision on Air Lift. I've heard very good feedback on them hence why I ordered from them. I think it's just a fluke. Call them..they should hook you up.

[PNWDriver]

Love mine! They've made a huge difference in ride comfort and reducing sag.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by IceOnFire

What are the pros and cons with Timbrens vs Air Bags? Cost wise, Timbrens seems to be a cheaper solution.

I can't comment on the air bags, but my Timbrens were simple to install (getting the old bumper stop out can be difficult if rusted)
I used to compress the overload spring with the rig hooked up, now I don't touch it.
For the most part the Timbrens never touch when unloaded. So the ride never changed.
I don't have to pump up an air bag when I want to use them. They are ready to go.

[MIFL19H]

Update...

I called Air Lift about the missing roll plate and they sent me one right out, I told them the box was not packed very well but other than that all parts were there and looked new. They said it should have been neatly packed so either it had been returned without being installed (minus the roll plate) or Ace Venture had his way with the box as it looked like it had been taped back up. I am happy with their service so far, they were very helpful.

Today opened up as an option for install so I took advantage of it. Took me longer than I anticipated, little over 7 hours, but it was a 1 man show and I did it in the driveway not on a lift and took my time so I did not miss anything and have to re-do it.

So far no leaks and as stated before it does not take much air to fill so will use a small 12v Air Pump. I left it at 30psi for the night, we will see what it is tomorrow afternoon (I don't have to drive it tomorrow). I did run them up to 60psi and checked for leaks and all looked good.

Those with F250's... Where do you run your PSI when not towing?

I have a Cap and probably 125 lbs of tools I keep with me at all times so consistently have 500 lbs in/on the bed over a stock open bed.

[Paintinfool3]

let me know how it rides with the airbags ... mine has a reverberation after the initial bump when on concrete roads and I am contemplating adding airbags to mine for both that and towing

[MIFL19H]

Originally Posted by IceOnFire

What are the pros and cons with Timbrens vs Air Bags? Cost wise, Timbrens seems to be a cheaper solution.

I came very close to going with Timbrens and think they would of worked well for what they are intended for. As stated previously the F250's are notorious for sagging in the rear, even when running light, and the Timbrens would not help that issue as they would not contact until the rear had already sagged. I considered installing 4"blocks like are on the F350's and then going with Timbrens but did not want to mess with the driveline and issues with the rear end alignment by taking apart the rear block/axle setup.

So... Air Bags would allow me to take sag out of the truck at any time, unloaded or loaded, and help with softening the ride which I beleive the Timbrens will not do until really loaded down. The Air Bags offer more flexibility albeit more install time and maintenance if a bag goes out or air line leaks. Time will tell if I made the right decision.

As with anything we each need to decide on what is right for our application. As for the F150's they don't have the sag issue so the Timbrens may be all you need.

[SMS1115]

Originally Posted by MIFL19H

Update...


Those with F250's... Where do you run your PSI when not towing?

I have a Cap and probably 125 lbs of tools I keep with me at all times so consistently have 500 lbs in/on the bed over a stock open bed.

Dad (2002 F-250) runs 20 in his when not towing. I run 10-15 in my 1500 when not towing.

[IceOnFire]

Originally Posted by MIFL19H

I came very close to going with Timbrens and think they would of worked well for what they are intended for. As stated previously the F250's are notorious for sagging in the rear, even when running light, and the Timbrens would not help that issue as they would not contact until the rear had already sagged. I considered installing 4"blocks like are on the F350's and then going with Timbrens but did not want to mess with the driveline and issues with the rear end alignment by taking apart the rear block/axle setup.



So... Air Bags would allow me to take sag out of the truck at any time, unloaded or loaded, and help with softening the ride which I beleive the Timbrens will not do until really loaded down. The Air Bags offer more flexibility albeit more install time and maintenance if a bag goes out or air line leaks. Time will tell if I made the right decision.



As with anything we each need to decide on what is right for our application. As for the F150's they don't have the sag issue so the Timbrens may be all you need.

I wonder if the 2017 F-250's will have the same sag issues. I'm also considering rear springs for the F-150. We will be camping down in Oceanside next weekend (80 miles each way), so that will help us decide whether we will be ok, or if we need to upgrade the truck.

[00buck]

I run 10psi on my 2011 F-250 when not towing that turns into about 20 when the weight of my 5th wheel compresses them. Then I use my onboard compressor and pump them to about 30 to even the truck out.

[MIFL19H]

IOF...

Re: 2017 F250's

I would think not or sure hope not. I have seen photos and videos about the new ones on the net and the stance looked good. Total redesign from the frame up and 2 Gas engine options, 6.2 and a 6.8 if I remember correctly.

As for getting a new Truck it is a tough decision but I was somewhat forced into getting a new TV, so decided to step up to a 3/4 Ton. If my Expedition EL had not been totaled last June I would have never bought an F250 and we would have never ordered a 28BHBE, which was our dream layout, so it's not all bad (other than having to pay for it ).

It was a "you only live once" family decision after my wife became sick and we decided we needed to get in as much camping and travel as possible in the next 8 years with our 10 yr old son. Our Expediton getting totaled within a month after we sold our X19H and her diagnosis, was taken as a sign we needed to move forward.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by MIFL19H

Those with F250's... Where do you run your PSI when not towing?

I have a Cap and probably 125 lbs of tools I keep with me at all times so consistently have 500 lbs in/on the bed over a stock open bed.

15 empty 50 with the 5W

[IceOnFire]

We had an old Expedition and decided to purchase our first Jayco which was light enough to tow. As we were waiting for delivery, my wife totaled her Edge, so that gave us the opportunity to upgrade to a real TV with an F-150. Fast forward, we eventually sold the Expo and replaced her totaled Edge. Now we're looking for an excuse to upgrade to an F-250. Ford is coming out with Sync 3.0 which will support Apple Play & Google Auto. Unfortunately, My Ford Touch is only available in the Lariat and higher models which we can't afford.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by IceOnFire

Ford is coming out with Sync 3.0 which will support Apple Play & Google Auto. Unfortunately, My Ford Touch is only available in the Lariat and higher models which we can't afford.

F250 - Air Bags ???? Huh ??? I'm confused

[MIFL19H]

Originally Posted by Edd505

F250 - Air Bags ???? Huh ??? I'm confused

He was responding to a post I made and we got a little off topic there discussing upgrading to an F250 .

Update on my Air Lift 5000 install on my F250...

So far the Bags are holding around 12 PSI which gave me around 3/4" of lift, it has smoothed out the shudder when going over bridge/road joints and rough road and does not bounce unless Im going over a speed hump.

Pick up our new Jayco on 3/19 so will get to play with them more then.

For those currently with Air Bags and a WDH...

Do you take all the Air out of the Bags, setup up the hitch, which does not bring the truck back to full level, then use the Bags to level it out?

Will be running a 12K Equalizer.

Does this put more strain on the bars when you level with the Bags?

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Edd505

15 empty 50 with the 5W

That's what I run in my 2500.

[canadiankid]

I know I'm late to the party but for anyone who's concerned about sag but wants to have a stock ride when not towing I strongly suggest "stable loads". They are great! I had them in my 1500 and I'm waiting to tow the trailer with my 2500 to see if they would help at all. They took away a lot of my sag and really made the rear end feel more solid. No rear side to side action that I've felt with my old airbags. Plus virtually nothing to go wrong with them.

[314BHDS]

I run mine at 10 psi empty and 20 with trailer,i opted to get the ones with internal jounce stops and I can run them at 0 but 10 helps with the bumps.I hook my trailer and WDH up first then played with PSI til I was happy the way it sat.Im level front to back with 20 psi.I also have to air mine to 0 when unhooking due to rear of truck sitting to high ad trying to un hook is a pain.

[MIFL19H]

Originally Posted by 314BHDS

I opted to get the ones with internal jounce stops

I did as well, I realized after I got them installed that I could collapse them (had to do this to get them over the axle) and thought I should have collapsed them out of the truck to see how tall the bumbers are in the bags as with the air out of them there is not much room because the brackets shrink the travel that it would take to move to contact them.

Did you happen to do this?

I am curious how tall they are, I will probably send an email to Air Lift to ask.

Thanks for the info on the Hitch / Air Bag setup...

[Paintinfool3]

I ordered the firestone air bags for mine today I looked at heavier springs but I think the bags will do all I want

[SkyBound]

It's my understanding that with air bags, you want to set up your hitch first without their help and then once that's dialed in, inflate the bags to bring the rear up. The danger of air bags and people who don't know what they're doing is they pump the bags up till its level so everything "looks" good but in reality the front end is far too light.