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Old 04-01-2017, 12:24 PM   #1
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Air Bags ???

I have a 3600 Voltage ToyHauler and am pulling it with a 2016 Ram 2500. It pulls great but does sag a bit in the rear. I am thinking of installing some Firestone Ride Rite air bags. Will that help with the sag ? Will it affect how it tows ?
Thanks for the help.
SR
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Old 04-01-2017, 01:11 PM   #2
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Howdy,

I went that route with our 2008 Ram 2500. It did correct the sag with only 50lbs in the Firestones. In our case the rest of the suspension was too soft though even after installing Bilstein shocks, and a Helwig rear stabilizer bar.
Does your 2500 settle in at highway speeds? Ours was constantly bouncing and rocking on smooth flat road. I know the newer trucks have beefier frames, etc...
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Old 04-01-2017, 01:17 PM   #3
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Ours pulls great. Very stable. I just feel the sag is putting unnecessary strain on the suspension. Thanks , SR
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Old 04-02-2017, 04:19 PM   #4
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I put air bags on my old 2013 ford f-250 because I didn't like the sag with a conventional trailer. It solved the problem with the sag. When towing my voltage 3200 I ran my air bags at 70psi and 20-30 when towing a 10k dump trailer. It will stiffen up the ride a little bit. I used to cary a bicycle pump with me but when I got the voltage I upgraded to the wireless air compressor form airlift. It was easy to install and I could control the air pressure wirelessly and independently form side to side. If you don't have a compressor and forget to lower the pressure when not towing your truck will ride really rough. My biggest suggestion for you is to get the air bags with the internal jounce bumper in them so you can run the bags with no air when you are not towing. Even 5psi will make a noticeable difference when not towing.
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Old 04-02-2017, 07:49 PM   #5
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Thanks a lot for the info.
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Old 04-03-2017, 01:40 AM   #6
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I just put a set of air lift on my 2015 F150. Easy bolt on install. Quality made. Did it myself, took my time and all went well. Have not yet towed with them, so right now running 5 pounds and ride is good.
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Old 04-03-2017, 02:03 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandrooney View Post
I have a 3600 Voltage ToyHauler and am pulling it with a 2016 Ram 2500. It pulls great but does sag a bit in the rear. I am thinking of installing some Firestone Ride Rite air bags. Will that help with the sag ? Will it affect how it tows ?
Thanks for the help.
SR
You're pulling a trailer with a 19,000 pound GVWR with a RAM 2500? My 3600, basically empty with 1/4 water, scales in at 16,500 with 3,500 on the pin. And you're towing the same thing with a RAM 2500? Insane.
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Old 04-03-2017, 10:51 AM   #8
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Thanks
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Old 04-04-2017, 07:18 PM   #9
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Shorth answer is yes. It will correct the sag with approximately 50 pounds of pressure. This is what i put in mine when i had a 2500 RAM.

P.S. I know you didn't ask the questions but i recommend you check the weight on the rear tires unless they are upgraded. The base tires dont have enough capacity.
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Old 04-05-2017, 10:40 AM   #10
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Thanks for all the help
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Old 04-05-2017, 11:37 AM   #11
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I just read the placard on the door and the rear tires are rated for 6500 with 80 lbs and the front are rated for 6500 with 60 lbs. I called the factory and they said that the pin weight is approx. 15% of the GVWR which is 19,000 which equates to 2,850 and my payload is 2,300 stock so I am hoping the air bags will boost that up some. Will weight in the garage help reduce pin weight.
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Old 04-05-2017, 11:54 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Sandrooney View Post
I just read the placard on the door and the rear tires are rated for 6500 with 80 lbs and the front are rated for 6500 with 60 lbs. I called the factory and they said that the pin weight is approx. 15% of the GVWR which is 19,000 which equates to 2,850 and my payload is 2,300 stock so I am hoping the air bags will boost that up some. Will weight in the garage help reduce pin weight.


You should check the rating directly on the tires. If truck is at 6500 the tires are probably around 3300 each.

This rating would is for both tires. The truck rear weights around 3750 empty with a fifth wheel hitch. This will leave you 2750 payload capacity max (from a tire perspective). Considering your payload capacity is 2300, thats not enough for a large toy hauler.

There is approx 200-300 pound diff on pin weight when you load the garage.

My 3600 weights 7502 - 7766 (unloaded vs loaded) on my rear axle. That would put you 1000 above rear axle capacity and above tire capacity.

The bags dont add any capacity, they only help level the rear. A cheaper alternative is to add a leaf to the suspension but the downside is it's not adjustable. It will run like a 3500 all the time.

You will need tires with increased load. You can find larger tires that can handle approx 3700- 4400 each. That would put your rear tire capacity around 7400 - 8800.

You would need a minimum capacity of 7800 and thats without reserve.
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Old 04-05-2017, 11:59 AM   #13
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There is no way the 3600 weights 2850. Mine weights a min of 3500 and when my wife decides to pack the main room for vacations it goes up to 4000.


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Old 04-05-2017, 04:34 PM   #14
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I think I am just going to trade up to a 3500 and not have to worry about it. It sucks cause I just bought the 2500 less than a year ago. It's got like 9,000 miles on it.
Thanks for all the help.
SR
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Old 04-05-2017, 09:08 PM   #15
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That does stink, but on the plus side, you will get top dollar, as truck sales are on fire. Still a screwing but not as bad. Good luck.
Rusty
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Old 04-05-2017, 10:28 PM   #16
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Just got a 2017 Ram 3500 dually with auto air leveling and 4:10 gears.
Thanks for all the help.
Sr
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Old 04-06-2017, 12:22 PM   #17
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Nice! Monster truck, LOL. What mileage can you expect with that 4:10 when you're not towing? I was tempted to get the same but thought my non-towing versus towing miles wouldn't justify it.
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Old 04-06-2017, 12:24 PM   #18
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Nice! Monster truck, LOL. What mileage can you expect with that 4:10 when you're not towing? I was tempted to get the same but thought my non-towing versus towing miles wouldn't justify it.
Rusty


Best you can expect is around 18-19. Lots of city will get you closer to 14.



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Old 04-06-2017, 06:53 PM   #19
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Nice!

That ends the "enough truck" debate in the back of your mind.
Now having FUN is the only task at hand.
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Old 04-06-2017, 07:15 PM   #20
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Now I feel silly for being bummed for spending $230 on these for my truck
I think I saved 80K or so...

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