Air Bags - Which Brand?

[TxFireman1972]

I need to order a set of helper bags for the truck. What brand does everyone prefer?

Leaning towards the PacBrake kit after having it recommended by others. Here's the kit I'm looking at:

http://www.statetrailer.com/products/Brakes-Suspension/Air-Helper-Springs/14170800/

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG...305917729/**http://pacbrake.com/PDF/L5754.PDF

 

[jwlandry]

I used to work at a trailer/truck accessory place and we installed the firestone and the air lift brand. The firestone was way better quality and I liked how the mounted inside the frame vs outside. I have never had experience with the PAC brake brand. Im gonna go with firestone when I do mine, which will be real soon

 

[03-Blue-Powerstroke]

It looks like a good complete kit. I had the firestone kit which mounted inside the rails like mentioned.

 

[TxFireman1972]

Maybe its just me but wouldn't outside the frame be better? Seems like the wider they are, the more stability they would offer. Or maybe I'm over-thinking it LOL

 

[03-Blue-Powerstroke]

Maybe its just me but wouldn't outside the frame be better? Seems like the wider they are, the more stability they would offer. Or maybe I'm over-thinking it LOL

I think they would be better because they are mounted directly on the springs. If I ever get another set I would get ones like you have pictured. Also the inside the frame style were a pain in the a$$ to mount.

 

[farm boy]

I run a set like you have pictured, but mine are air-lift brand. 4 wheel parts in Houston has some really good prices on air bag kits.

I air them up and load the chit out of them. They hold up really well.

 

[JDub]

I've done the Firestone kits in the past and had decent luck with them. Pac Brake says their kit won't work with an in-bed gooseneck or fifth wheel hitch. I just ordered a set of bags and larger sway bars from Hellwig for my 2010, will be installing them in the next week or two.

 

[vapstroke]

I have the firestone ride rite no drill kit (inboard mount) on my 01. I have had no problems with it in the last 6 years. They work perfect.

 

[jwlandry]

I can't run the out board bags due to the b&w hitch in my bed like mentioned

 

[TxFireman1972]

I can't run the out board bags due to the b&w hitch in my bed like mentioned

Fifth wheel or gooseneck?

 

[jwlandry]

I have both... I have a B&W gooseneck hitch and a companion 5th wheel adaptor that goes in the square.

 

[TxFireman1972]

Oh ok. Those Companions are pretty cool.

 

[jwlandry]

yes they are. im ordering my bags this week. My camper has gained some weight since thanksgiving so it will be a little heavier on the way home. Im gonna go with the firestone ones and once im home ill plumb them into my onboard air with in cab controls.

 

[1BADF350]

I also have the B&W hitch and have/had the inboard system..I pull a 44' gooseneck trailer and hve bent the lower brackets that mount on inboard of the frame, I carry a 100 gallon fuel tank in the bed and sometime get as high a 3500lbs of tounge weight. One trip from Tn to SoCal and theye were shot..
I ended up moving them to the outside and made my own plates, I will post them to show how I did mine. Yes, it woids the warranty on th B&W to drill holes through it, but I have pulled 100K miles with this set up and no more problems..
What is the best way to post pics?

 

[Lowdown89]

Best way to load pics is upload them to photo bucket, and then copy and paste the link that has IMG out beside it, under the thumbnail that way the pic will show up in the thread and you won't have to click on it or anything

 

[1BADF350]

Here is the set I put on my wifes excursion. I used a plasma cutter on a CNC router table to cut the plate steel, but you could just use a drill with a hole saw for the access holes on the u-bolts. I then drilled a hole in the center of the plate for the bolt to hold the airbag in place and there is enough room to fit a wrench between the plates and spin the airbags tight and the lined up top bracket and pull bolt snug.
If you have any fab skills at all, i would recommend useing the outside mount set up over the inboard setup. just my personal opion though. let me know what you think.

 

[TxFireman1972]

That looks good, what's your top frame mount look like?

 

[TxFireman1972]

Or did you use the upper mounts that came with the kit?

 

[jwlandry]

i have to call a place where i used to work tomorrow and check the price on the firestone bags. Im gonna end up going with them. Im just worried that the fit will be tight due to the 5'' exhaust under there.

 

[1BADF350]

No, I made the uppers also, the one's in the inboard kit are differant then the out board kit, I will try to take pics of the uppers tomorrow and post.