I have them installed on my 09 and love em, I leave about 3-5 pounds in which no load so there is less of a chance of pinching.
Anyone Running Firestone Coil Rite Air Bags on Their 1500's?
Hello,
Wondering if anyone is using Firestone Coil Rite Air Bags on the rear of their 4th Gen 1500's? I've used the Firestone Ride Rites on my 2003 with Leaf Springs with no problems but have heard that these Coil Rites have a tendancy to pinch in our coil applications. Curious to hear if anyone is having any issues with them. Thanks.
Wondering if anyone is using Firestone Coil Rite Air Bags on the rear of their 4th Gen 1500's? I've used the Firestone Ride Rites on my 2003 with Leaf Springs with no problems but have heard that these Coil Rites have a tendancy to pinch in our coil applications. Curious to hear if anyone is having any issues with them. Thanks.
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That Firestone setup looks almost identical to the Airlift 1000 system, and it's even rated in the same spring rate range. Quite a few around here are using the Airlift setup with great results, and I'd expect the same with this particular Firestone model. The Airlift setup is in the $80-$90 range. I got mine for around $87 with free shipping. If the Firestone model is in the same ballpark, it's probably just as good. As to the pinching issue, I've seen bags like this Firestone and Airlift system used within the coil spring for many years with no issue. You keep a very minimum of air in the bags to just let them keep their shape, and it's probably about impossible for the coil to pinch the bag. Remember that there's a bumpstop above the axle, so the coil in not really mashed flat in a bottomout. As you get into suspension systems that are lifted and/or modded, especially for off road, some this can change dramatically. The airbag within a coil has been around for eons in all kinds of applications. It's safe and it works.
Have used mine to tow a 8500 lb camper with load level & anti-sway bar.
Used bags to level out about 1/2 inch or so. This takes about 20-25 lbs.
Road like a champ.
When unloaded, I keep about 5 psig, in the bags.
Keep on Trucking
Used bags to level out about 1/2 inch or so. This takes about 20-25 lbs.
Road like a champ.
When unloaded, I keep about 5 psig, in the bags.
Keep on Trucking
Thanks everyone for your input/feedback!. I will be going ahead with the Firestone Coil Rite system. As with my last set of Firestone Air Bags, I will just have to be very careful to maintain a min. pressure at all times so that I have no issues with the coils pinching the Air Bags.
sigh.. lost all air in my air bags and seem to have a leak... so i wnet under to investigate and the place that installed them on my 09 didnt install the upper urethane mount on either side (professional install my a$$) so i imagine its one of the bags leaking. back to the installers i go i guess. :box:
Hi konarider 2005,sigh.. lost all air in my air bags and seem to have a leak... so i wnet under to investigate and the place that installed them on my 09 didnt install the upper urethane mount on either side (professional install my a$$) so i imagine its one of the bags leaking. back to the installers i go i guess. :box:
Do you mean they forgot to install the Upper Support on each air bag? I just downloaded the Firestone Coil-Rite Install Instructions and this Upper Support sits on top of each Air Helper Spring. Looks like there is also a Lower Support for each as well. Let me know if this is the part you are referring to as I will have to pay careful attention to these during installation.
I had one Firestone CoilRite bag blow on my Nissan Armada while towing. It was an impressive BANG! Thought that I'd hit something. They had been on for about 3 years when it happened. Bought another and replaced it. Would have cost about as much and taken longer to try to warranty claim it.
First and foremost, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Josh and I have ALOT (I do mean alot) of experience towing and hauling heavy loads. Having been in the army, and on 3 combat tours, for the better part of a decade now, I have seen and driven just about everything there is to drive, from tanks, to Route Clearance Vehicles, to pickup trucks. Some are VERY heavy, and some are bone stock trucks guys like you and me drive everyday.
If you are towing a heavy trailer (which you can do just fine), you will notice something profound almost as soon as you set your trailer on your hitch. Your truck will go from raked (the front end lower than the rear), to squatting. Your coil springs will collapse under the weight, and while that does not pose a problem to your truck immediately, it can, over time. Towing a load as heavy as this with the 4th gen Ram requires some additional help, due to the smooth riding coil spring Multi-Link rear suspension. Coils were put in the ram because they ride smoother, but they are your worst enemy when towing/hauling heavy. Thats where the good folks at Total Load Control Suspensions come in. TLC John will not only hook you up with great customer service, but Ramforumz members even get discounted pricing on their kits. This system is designed and patented specifically for 2009+ Ram 1500's. It will work in conjuction with your coil springs to improve load handling, reduce wear and tear on your coil springs, and even helps with unladen ride comfort and stability.
Right now, TLC is offering special pricing and free shipping anywhere in the US and Canada!
Shoot me a message, or an email at [email protected] and we can get you on your way to comfortable and safe towing. Happy Travels!
If you are towing a heavy trailer (which you can do just fine), you will notice something profound almost as soon as you set your trailer on your hitch. Your truck will go from raked (the front end lower than the rear), to squatting. Your coil springs will collapse under the weight, and while that does not pose a problem to your truck immediately, it can, over time. Towing a load as heavy as this with the 4th gen Ram requires some additional help, due to the smooth riding coil spring Multi-Link rear suspension. Coils were put in the ram because they ride smoother, but they are your worst enemy when towing/hauling heavy. Thats where the good folks at Total Load Control Suspensions come in. TLC John will not only hook you up with great customer service, but Ramforumz members even get discounted pricing on their kits. This system is designed and patented specifically for 2009+ Ram 1500's. It will work in conjuction with your coil springs to improve load handling, reduce wear and tear on your coil springs, and even helps with unladen ride comfort and stability.
Right now, TLC is offering special pricing and free shipping anywhere in the US and Canada!
Shoot me a message, or an email at [email protected] and we can get you on your way to comfortable and safe towing. Happy Travels!
First and foremost, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Josh and I have ALOT (I do mean alot) of experience towing and hauling heavy loads. Having been in the army, and on 3 combat tours, for the better part of a decade now, I have seen and driven just about everything there is to drive, from tanks, to Route Clearance Vehicles, to pickup trucks. Some are VERY heavy, and some are bone stock trucks guys like you and me drive everyday.
If you are towing a heavy trailer (which you can do just fine), you will notice something profound almost as soon as you set your trailer on your hitch. Your truck will go from raked (the front end lower than the rear), to squatting. Your coil springs will collapse under the weight, and while that does not pose a problem to your truck immediately, it can, over time. Towing a load as heavy as this with the 4th gen Ram requires some additional help, due to the smooth riding coil spring Multi-Link rear suspension. Coils were put in the ram because they ride smoother, but they are your worst enemy when towing/hauling heavy. Thats where the good folks at Total Load Control Suspensions come in. TLC John will not only hook you up with great customer service, but Ramforumz members even get discounted pricing on their kits. This system is designed and patented specifically for 2009+ Ram 1500's. It will work in conjuction with your coil springs to improve load handling, reduce wear and tear on your coil springs, and even helps with unladen ride comfort and stability.
Right now, TLC is offering special pricing and free shipping anywhere in the US and Canada!
Shoot me a message, or an email at [email protected] and we can get you on your way to comfortable and safe towing. Happy Travels!
Hi Josh,
I very much appreciate your insight above and I agree with you 100% on your opinion of Coil Springs and towing. I do also agree that TLC sells one of the best products for these Gen4 Rams but being in Canada has made it difficult for me to obtain pricing for the TLC system that is near what I will be paying for the Firestone Coil Rite system. If I do have problems in the future with the Coil Rite's, I will seriously look at the TLC system.
Thanks!
thats the one! im not happy with the install job at all.. was done a year and a half ago and im pretty sure im just gonna march in and have them redo the job. not a professional install at all...Hi konarider 2005,
Do you mean they forgot to install the Upper Support on each air bag? I just downloaded the Firestone Coil-Rite Install Instructions and this Upper Support sits on top of each Air Helper Spring. Looks like there is also a Lower Support for each as well. Let me know if this is the part you are referring to as I will have to pay careful attention to these during installation.
Thanks for verifying konarider2005. I will keep a close eye on this during my install.thats the one! im not happy with the install job at all.. was done a year and a half ago and im pretty sure im just gonna march in and have them redo the job. not a professional install at all...
hello canukhram.. I went with the TLC system also and am very happy.. I understand the cost is higher, but worth it. I acutally had the firestone bags first, but before installing them I found out the temperature range the advise to use them in. I was shocked to see that they are only good to about 15 degrees ABOVE 0 F. Living in Wisconsin this would not work for me. I actually talked to a firestone rep, and he said yes that was correct, but most people did not seem to have an issue. Well for me I was not willing to take that risk, since who wants to install them twice.
Just something to think about.. Bryan
Just something to think about.. Bryan
Hi Bryan,hello canukhram.. I went with the TLC system also and am very happy.. I understand the cost is higher, but worth it. I acutally had the firestone bags first, but before installing them I found out the temperature range the advise to use them in. I was shocked to see that they are only good to about 15 degrees ABOVE 0 F. Living in Wisconsin this would not work for me. I actually talked to a firestone rep, and he said yes that was correct, but most people did not seem to have an issue. Well for me I was not willing to take that risk, since who wants to install them twice.
Just something to think about.. Bryan
Very much appreciate your input on this. I did not at all realize that there was this operating temperature on the Firestone product as I have not noticed any temp's being mentioned in any literature I have read. Unfortunately, I just had installed the Firestone 4190 Kit which includes the Coil Rite & Work Rite systems. I am hoping they will work okay as we have temp. fluctuations anywhere from -45C to +35C or so up here where I live. I had Firestone Ride Rite Airbags in my 2003 Dodge and never had any problems with them in over 6 years of use. I did just end up pulling the Work Rite Bumpers out of my truck and removing an extra spacer as they made my 2011 RAM ride very stiff and nearly shook the fillings out of my teeth. Much better now. What a difference in cornering and side to side stabilty with this new set-up. Have not towed yet but will be doing so in May. If this set-up does cause me any problems I will be going to the TLC System. Thanks again for your input!!
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