Air Bags on Rear - Pick Up Truck

[whta4887]

Second post!

I have a 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the tow package. I am hauling a 2018 Imagine 3170 BH. So far, my trips have been mostly a 2-4 hour drive around the state (FL - nice and flat). In a couple of weeks, I will be taking an 8-9 hour drive to Lake Lanier, and was wondering if airbags would be of any assistance?

I know I am "at capacity" with my rig, and I really don't have much of an issue keeping my speed at 65, but was curious what are the benefits of the airbag suspensions? I got a quote of around $1,500 with an onboard compressor. Worth the cost?

[NB Canada]

If you are not having issues why are you looking for bags?

Your hitch should be levelling your truck

Airbags are generally for 1 tons that don’t use a hitch

I guarantee you are over payload


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Mediocrity]

I installed air bags on my truck to keep it and my trailer level. Also keeps my headlights aimed correctly, instead of pointed skyward into oncoming drivers eyes.

[1carguy]

I installed air bags on my truck to keep it and my trailer level. Also keeps my headlights aimed correctly, instead of pointed skyward into oncoming drivers eyes.

Me too. Keeps my rig level and I think it rides better with the bags when towing.

[Pap and Mimi]

I added air bags to my levelled F150 so it would remain level when attached to my 2970, it helped reduce the proposing since I was also overloaded with a half ton truck and that size camper.
My best move was getting a truck equipped to handle my camper.

[whta4887]

Here is a pic of the camper connected to the truck

[Unlimitedmatt]

I added airbags to my 1500 to help my truck rebound after bumps faster. It used to 'porpoise' when hitting bumps in the rear.

[BobLandry]

Some of the posts on WD are simply amazing.
The purpose of WD is not to level the truck and trailer, it is to return weight to the front end. You WD may level the truck but that is not the purpose of it. If you are using your WD to level the truck/trailer, you are probably cranking too much weight back to the front of the truck, resulting in excessive tire and suspension wear.
If the rear is squatting too much, that can be corrected with bags, but anything that changes the angle of the hitch ball is going to affect your WD adjustments and you need to re-adjust the WD for the correct weight transfer.
If anyone doubts this, go to a CAT scale and measure the front end weight of the truck both hitched and not hitched. The two weights should be very close. The scales do not lie. You can not determine if your hitch is adjusted correctly by simply looking at it.

[NB Canada]

Some of the posts on WD are simply amazing.
The purpose of WD is not to level the truck and trailer, it is to return weight to the front end. You WD may level the truck but that is not the purpose of it. If you are using your WD to level the truck/trailer, you are probably cranking too much weight back to the front of the truck, resulting in excessive tire and suspension wear.
If the rear is squatting too much, that can be corrected with bags, but anything that changes the angle of the hitch ball is going to affect your WD adjustments and you need to re-adjust the WD for the correct weight transfer.
If anyone doubts this, go to a CAT scale and measure the front end weight of the truck both hitched and not hitched. The two weights should be very close. The scales do not lie. You can not determine if your hitch is adjusted correctly by simply looking at it.

Returning weight to the front end will level the truck you know
Sorry it wasnt worded easier


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[BobLandry]

Returning weight to the front end will level the truck you know
Sorry it wasnt worded easier


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

It may or may not. You can return the correct weight to the front end and it still not be level. Again, that's not the purpose of WD. With the correct adjustment, you can still have some squat in the rear but that's OK as long as the front is right.

If you want to go with level, that's up to you. I'm just thinking that when you hit black ice and your rig starts getting squirrely, it's a little late to rethink your strategy.