Bump Stops are just that, they stop you fro hitting the bumpers by raising the bumpers. So you are riding on the bump stops, which is riding on the axle. Not much suspension coming into play, to smooth out those harsh road conditions, when under a load and all the force is felt through the truck., Think no springs or shocks because that is basically what is going on.
Air bags function by adding air pressure, to a bag, which absorbs that harsh road conditions causing suspension travel from allowing that ravel to be as great. Much preferable to bump stops, riding on the trucks drive train or frame, as the trucks shocks and springs are stilll allowed to function, as Road Force dampeners.Preventing that spine jarring ride that bump stops can and usually provide. Negative to air bags is each bag must have its own air line, If bags share an air lien then the air will travel , form bag to bag, when sway is introduced, exaggerating that sway and making for an even ore unsafe condition. SO, two air lines, one for each bag Fixes that potential trap.
Other huge negative about air bags is they have a potential for failure. Each connection, from air nozzle to bag, can fail/leak & bag itself can fail.If one side is not functioning, then the system itself is no longer functioning and this always happens at the worst possible time.
For about the same cost as air bags, and about the same amount of effort to install, you can go with physical. actual;y metal springs. Multiple possibilities, dependent upon what you desire, need or preference. Can keep OEM ride, when unloaed or lightly loaded, with a progressive rate spring. Pregressive rate springs have a rate of compression, at the top of the spring, that changes to a stiffer rate of compression, towards the middle of the spring.
When you look at the spring, it will have greater distance between the coils, at the top, then the coils will 'tighten up' ,near the middle, all the way to the end.
Constant rate springs are just that, a constant rate of compression throughout the spring.
OEM Progressive rate springs will add about 50% more weight bearing than actual OEM springs currently on your truck, this h elps to ereduce Squat and that spongy sensation as you travel. However, the spring will squat, similar to OEM springs, when under light loads, this is due toteh progressiveness that keeps that OEM Ride. When heavier payload weight is applied, they really shine. Your Trailer will squat much less.
Constant rate springs hardly squat, at all, when compared to OEM springs, However, the ride, when unloaded will not be as smooth. THink 3/4 ton type of ride.
When loaded, they perform almost exactly like the Progressive rate spring, since both are rated, essentially, for the same amount of total weight.
Another option is Stiffer SHocks. again, this will affect unloaded Ride. Current shocks are softer and absorb more than a stiffer shock will. You are going to feel more cracks between the road panels than you did before.
Bottom line, there is simply no way to keep that unloaed OEM Ride and stiffen up the suspension to handle trailer pulling. Other than air bags, hwich can be deflated, compeltely, ANother positive for them but, in my opinion, the negatives far outwieght those positives, to have air bags being the first line of defense, so to speak.
which raises another point.
WHich way to go and what order.
In my own experinces with this same problem, the system I have found that works with the most option for success is this.
Springs - choose the one that you prefer, OEM Ride with same squat when tongue of 200 to 400 obs or lose the OEM Ride and reduce that light weight squat when the boat is hooked up.I pull a boat, often so I always went with constant rate. Firends never pull a boat, only a camper they chose Progressive rate.
Better Shocks - last truck, i went bilstein 5100 and they actually affected my ride much more than the constant rate springs, in my opinion. Much firmer, mnore planted handling in all conditions. If doing shocks, do all four corners else you will wear out the front much sooner and your ride will suiffer the entire time. You want the shocks to perform similarly when the boiunce is transfered from front to back and reversed. Having no bounce in the rear and exageratted bounce in front can be troublesoem, all by itself.
Air bags - specific line for each bag in a location that is easily accessible. Learnign hwo much weight to add for your load will be a bother but something you will figure out with time and miles. I have never needed to install bags, once i went with springs and shocks but know others who have installed them, even with the shocks and springs upgrades done. NMostly for safetys sake, not actual need.
I do have air bags installed on my Wife;s hot Rod Explorer ST, but the springs are already super stiff so the EcoBEAST car can corner at warp Factor 9. The Bags are essentially to help alleiviate load whenever it moves teh camper but mostly, to assist when actually Hot Rodding. Keep the front end, planted, when it is floored for Maximum Take-off.
Otherwise, the Thing, damn near, needs wheelie bars. Frotn end doe snot actually come of teh ground but sure feels like it is close. Bags keep momentum going Forward.
whichever way you go, share your experience. years from now, someone might read this thread, after google search query and it will help them, which is the whole purpose of this forum.
I did not intentionally mean to anger anyone, about their prefered method or choices. These thoughts are my own, from my own experiences.
Those who go with just bags, good for you
You're wrong, of course, but if it makes you happy.
he he he
sorry, couldn't resist.
The Evil just oozes out sometimes.
