Im looking to add air bags to help out the rear suspension on my truck. Ill be pulling a gooseneck horse trailer. We also live out in the country and alot of the roads aren't in the best shape and/or are dirt, also where we haul to has alot of dirt roads . Im reading that the TLC kit is really good but they arent so great unloaded because they only bolt on one end. But I read their bags are better than the competition. Anyone running air bags have any advice on a good kit at both ends, loaded and unloaded? I would appreciate several different opinions to help me decide whats best for my application.
best air bag system?
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You have 3 options when it comes to choosing airbags. You can use an in-spring bag like the airlift 1000s; you can completely replace the spring with an airbag kit like a Firestone or Hellwig air spring; or you can get a helper bag system like TLC. All have their benefits and draw backs.
I had a set of A1000s in my truck when I bought it and they worked well for medium bed/hitch loads. I have since upgraded to a hellwig air spring kit and they would be great for a stock height vehicle, but since I'm lowered 6" they no longer work for me and I have to switch back to a A1000 kit in the shorter springs.
I had a set of A1000s in my truck when I bought it and they worked well for medium bed/hitch loads. I have since upgraded to a hellwig air spring kit and they would be great for a stock height vehicle, but since I'm lowered 6" they no longer work for me and I have to switch back to a A1000 kit in the shorter springs.
Id be interested in either the Airlifts or the TLC type kits. The truck does good with only stock suspension now and Im only looking to support it. Dont know that I like the idea of not having something to fall back on if I went to airbags alone. Thanks for the help. What are the cons of my other two options?
I'll be interested in what you finally go with, Nauvoo and how well it works for you. How heavy is your trailer? Any idea of the tongue weight? I'm in the market for a horse trailer now and was thinking I would have to go with a two-horse under 4000 lbs to be safe.
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I agree with (h2oman) I have this Airlift kit with an inboard controller and have had no issues second truck with the same controller just switched bags because I upgraded from 1500 GMC to Ram 2500HD. no issues in a since 2005.
Ive pulled a 16' Calico stock combo with easily 3000lb worth of horses. Id say tha trailer is around 5k and probably 800+ tongue weight. Truck done fine but Id like a lil more as the trailer Im likely fixin to purchase is a 3h slant with a small living quarters. 20' length on the box and probably atleast 1k heavier and maybe close to 1300lb+ in tha bed. Plus all tha tack and camping supplies. Im expecting to be around 9.5k, maybe even 10k. Once Im set up Ill make a trip to some scales and see where everything is at.
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I just had the Air Lift 1000 bags installed in my truck, along with the Air Lift Wireless One system. I wanted to beef up the rear end a little more still, so I had a pair of TufTruck HD variable rate rear coils (1223-V) and a set of Bilstein HD 4600's installed along with the Air Lift system. I will say the TufTruck coils weigh about twice as much as the factory installed coils. I haven't had a chance to see how everything performs when hauling or towing yet, so I can't give any opinion on that aspect. But, the ride of my truck (with 5 psi in the bags) is just as nice, if not better than stock.
Hopefully Im not going to make that 10k mark. And the trailer Im looking at doesnt have a tare weight listed, just a gross weight of 9.9k. Im only guesstimating with comparisons of trailers some of my friends are pulling. One in particular pulled close to 10k most of last summer out west with his F150 n said it wasnt that bad other than the fuel mileage loss. And he feels like these Rams are better trucks and stouter.
Crow, who did you go thru in getting that setup? Thanks.
Crow, who did you go thru in getting that setup? Thanks.
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I have the same set up but I went with the topgun cusomz 2.25 inch progressive rate coil and the ail lift 1000 and Bilstein 5100 on all 4 corners and the fronts are set at 2.8. So all in all I have about a 2 inch lift. And a much better coil spring in the rear. I spent 450 for the 4 shocks and coils and 83 from auto anything for the airlift 1000.
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I ordered the bags, wireless controller, and shocks from Amazon. I ordered the coil springs from sdtrucksprings. I had a local truck place install it all for $325. :smiley_thumbs_up:
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If you are asking me, I ordered the same bags (part #60818 ) as you would with the stock springs. The new coil springs and shocks I added kept the same stock ride height.
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That's a good idea. Like you said, you can add the coils at a later date and not have to worry about changing the bags. :smiley_thumbs_up:
Since no one is providing you with TLC info, I'll give you my opinion. I don't like the idea of bags in the coil springs in general, and have read some guys develop squeaks. I want lifting ability, not pressure on the inside of my coil springs as they expand and contract
Because the TLC bags only attach to the top, you run 5 psi in them unloaded to keep positive pressure on the bottom plate mounted to the axle. This raises your unloaded ride height by about 3/4" in the rear measured at the wheel well. I did the 2.1" Bilstein 5100 lift up front and the truck looks great. Ride quality with 5 psi unloaded is ever so slightly more firm. I am a huge fan.
Price difference is a few hundred bucks though. My dad runs tlc on his Cummins 2500 towing a fifth wheel around with great success. Based on his experience, I went with TLC.
Either way, good luck!
I did end up with the Airlifts. So far I like them fine. Loaded out two scrap cars the other day n hauled them off. I was happy with the truck and there was a considerable diff with and without the Airlifts when hooked to tha trailer. Both cars were pretty well stripped but it's still a decent load. Again, thanks for the input.
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I have the Airlift 1000 and like it, but would have considered this if I had known about it before I got the Airlift 1000. http://timbergroveenterprises.com/old-home
Wondering if anyone has tried the ASAM system and has any feedback?
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