Air bag system vs. weight distributing hitch?

[Gavman]

I have always assumed I would get an airbag system similar to this LoadLIfter 5000 Air Springs. My question is, would something like this be a better way to go, or would it be better to get a weight distributing hitch instead? I haul about 7 or 8 thousand lbs. pretty consistently on a 20' gooseneck trailer, however I am thinking about getting a 20' bumper pull trailer to lighten my load a bit. Although, I do not want to deal with the sagging rear end problems that go along with heavy bumper pull trailers! Anybody have any experience with these systems?

 

[Egon]

Use both to get the most advantage.

 

[B7510HSD]

I would think the hitch would be the best beings it helps keep the
trailer from swaying also!

 

[NFA Fun]

I have air bags on my F350 and they are great! My truck is lifted 7" with 5" springs in back. Needless to say the ride is great, but the load carrying went bye bye. The bags brought back the load capacity and maintained the smooth ride.

Have used it to tow my Jeep and Backhoe with no problems at all...even with a full load in the bed.

Have a picture of the truck and BH hooked up to show ride height, but can't figure how to post it.

 

[Builder]

I have always assumed I would get an airbag system similar to this LoadLIfter 5000 Air Springs. My question is, would something like this be a better way to go, or would it be better to get a weight distributing hitch instead? I haul about 7 or 8 thousand lbs. pretty consistently on a 20' gooseneck trailer, however I am thinking about getting a 20' bumper pull trailer to lighten my load a bit. Although, I do not want to deal with the sagging rear end problems that go along with heavy bumper pull trailers! Anybody have any experience with these systems?

Those are nice air bags. Do you like them better than Firestone Ride rites? The wireless system is really cool. I might just have to go for them!

 

[Bird]

In my opinion, the air bags are a good idea if you have a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer that has enough hitch weight to lower the back end of the truck. But for a conventional, or bumper pull, trailer, the weight distributing hitch is much much better. Just remember that the air bags only hold the back end up off the axle. They do not reduce the weight on the axle and rear tires. In fact, a heavy tongue weight actually will reduce the weight on the front axle and put even more weight on the rear axle. The weight distributing hitch does just what its name says; it distributes the tongue weight to both the front axle of the truck as well as its rear axle and back to the trailer axle(s).

 

[Egon]

Bird, with my truck camper mounted and the bumper pull trailer hooked up the use of both air bags and the weight distributing hitch works well.

It means I can always keep the rear of the truck at the same height so it steers the same and also helps for carrying the load. I actually measure the height of the rear fender wells unloaded so I have a reference point to go to.

My trailer requires a weight distributing hitch and the air bags just help out.

 

[Bird]

Egon, I don't see a problem with using both, except if both are needed, you're probably overloaded. But if a person is only going to use one or the other, I'd sure go with the load distributing hitch.

 

[Egon]

No argument on that Bird. I'm just on the verge of being overloaded a little!

 

[Gavman]

Builder
I have not really researched all the different brands of air bag suspension systems. I just googled "air bag suspension system" and picked something that was similar to what I intend to get.
I do intend to get both eventually, I just wanted to see which one would be better by itself. I will get that one first, and then get the other later.
Thanks for all the opinions and shared expertise.

 

[Skyco]

I have the Firestone air bags and love them.
I also have a weight distributing hitch for my toy hauler, works well.
They both are useful but have nothing to do with each other, different purposes.

You may need both though.

Confused yet?

I use the air bags to bring the truck back to level with all the stuff I tend to carry with me in the truck.
Then the WD is adjusted to bring the truck back to level when the TH hauler, which has a very high tongue weight, is hooked up. You don't want to use the WD hitch to lift more than the trailer tongue weight, ie raise your overloaded truck.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Skyco, not to hijack this thread but I'm looking at the firestones myself. I just got a gn trailer and would like to level the truck. My question is what type of inflation system did you go with? I was planning on the manual system but the remote compressor looks sweet. No need to worry just hit the switch and inflate. I don't haul every day but for the money the remote control seems worth it.

Matt T.

 

[Builder]

I'm wondering the same thing. I have buyer's remorse once in a while and I don't know what Firestone (or other brand) system to go with. I was even looking at the front air shocks (Bilsteins) you can add to the system.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Builder they say great minds think alike I was also eye the front bilstiens with the adjustable air coils. Why don't you buy them and tell me whether or not there worth it LOL!

Matt T.

 

[Skyco]

I guess I cheaped out and just have the two fill fittings mounted in the left rear wheel well. Been that way for 10 years now on my 96 F350 so I guess I can live with it. I did not tee the two lines together so I could seperately adjust the air..used to have a large slide in camper that was much heavier on the left side due to all the appliances so it took more air on the left to level the truck both front to back and left to right

 

[jimmysisson]

I use a half ton as I'm mostly doing estimating and small jobs. Every so often I use it for hauling the dump trailer, and rarely 2,500-3000# of something or other. I've had the Air Lift bags with onboard compressor for five years on my last pickup (99 Silverado). You know you're overloaded when you have to put 100# of air into them, but they make a half ton manageable when it's being abused. If I towed or hauled often, I'd certainly have a bigger truck, but this works well for my.
The AirLift bags last around 5 years, compressor about the same, in my experience. I'll be putting them on my 08 Silverado soon.
Jim

 

[Builder]

Builder they say great minds think alike I was also eye the front bilstiens with the adjustable air coils. Why don't you buy them and tell me whether or not there worth it LOL!

Matt T.

The only thing stopping me is (1) if the ride suffers on the front and (2) what happens if you lost all on board air? Would the shocks still work?