Air Bags in Rear?

[SoulFish]

Just wondering if anyone has installed air bags in the rear for towing in a 2020 PR. If so would it allow you to tow higher loads? Keeping in mind you would deflate them when not towing.

 

[crash68]

Just wondering if anyone has installed air bags in the rear for towing in a 2020 PR. If so would it allow you to tow higher loads? Keeping in mind you would deflate them when not towing.

I hope your wearing a fire suit because the Payload Police are gonna burn you alive thinking you can tow over what your payload sticker will allow.

A PowerWagon has a softer suspension to be more off road capable, that lowers the "sticker" towing capacity. The truck's axles, brakes, frame, etc. are the same as any other 2500. Adding airbags will help with the rear end squat but you'll still want to use a WDH.

 

[Udy2554]

I’m comfortable towing my toyhauler! Fully loaded with RZR, H2O, gear, clothes, food, dog...@11,500+/-!

Bags at 45psi, 12,000lb Equilizer WDH!

Driven in high winds, torrential rain, heavy traffic! Drive accordingly, be vigilant and situationally aware!

 

[BigLazer4u]

I hope your wearing a fire suit because the Payload Police are gonna burn you alive thinking you can tow over what your payload sticker will allow.

A PowerWagon has a softer suspension to be more off road capable, that lowers the "sticker" towing capacity. The truck's axles, brakes, frame, etc. are the same as any other 2500. Adding airbags will help with the rear end squat but you'll still want to use a WDH.

lol... payload police...

@SoulFish I just ordered an air bag kit for my 19 wagon yesterday, I hauled my wife’s Denali last week 860 miles on a 3 thousand pound big Tex pipe trailer and you should of seen the gas Milage.. regardless, the truck will haul much more than the sticker says it will... come get me payload police.. anyway, I hope the air bags help for the next moving trip.

 

[BigLazer4u]

I’m comfortable towing my toyhauler! Fully loaded with RZR, H2O, gear, clothes, food, dog...@11,500+/-!

Bags at 45psi, 12,000lb Equilizer WDH!

Driven in high winds, torrential rain, heavy traffic! Drive accordingly, be vigilant and situationally aware!

View attachment 245600 View attachment 245601 View attachment 245602

Udy do you have a link to that kit? And what part number is the cradle the bag is sitting in?

 

[Udy2554]

DAYSTAR is the cradle manufacturer! Remove the factory bump stops, drill and tap hole for cradle!

This is the setup I went with! 3 years now, no issues!



The bags have internal bump stops!

 

[Udy2554]

Sorry for the lack of actual part numbers!

 

[BigLazer4u]

Sorry for the lack of actual part numbers!

Thank you, ordering the day star off Amazon now.

 

[olyelr]

Yep, I have that same setup too. Been 4 years or so now...not a single issue yet.

Here is a writeup I did long ago on the setup...


https://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=4732

 

[thkbaron]

yeah I would hate to live in a state where they pull you over and check the payload of your truck. screw that.

 

[SoulFish]

Awesome info guys, that makes me feel much better about my big decision today. I think the max I ever would want to tow is 12k. And as far as payload, I have a single axle trailer that I can easily load 3,500lbs onto that heavy duty axle.

I took the jump and signed the papers for my new 2021 Power Wagon. The only hitch is I now have to go get it. With the inventory shortages the closest one with the exact options I wanted was in Las Vegas, and I'm in Florida . So flying to get it Thursday then driving it back.

 

[thkbaron]

might as well toss some big meats on there while yer at it!! Those stock tires look soooo small. Roll them in the deal! Let the modding begin.

 

[olyelr]

Congrats man! Enjoy your first road trip with the ol girl!

 

[b-real]

I have run air bags on many trucks over the years, and would always do so on a coil spring setup.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

I, also am seriously considering running air bags. Haven’t found any yet that are specific for Natasha (‘19 PW). Airlift has a universal kit that will probably do the job. I’ve seen “WDH” mentioned here. What is that? If it’s the external “air bags” that sit next to the coil, I’m concerned about losing any degree of articulation if I use those. I do a fair amount of overlanding.

The reason I need the extra suspension support is that I sometimes tow a 5K# TT and I am considering swapping out the rear oem bumper for the Expedition One product with dual swing out arms for my 2nd spare and Geri cans. I bent the crap out of my bumper last 4x4 trip to Nevada. I also blew out the sidewall of a tire so having only one spare with me while off-roading is too limiting.

 

[jagu366]

I installed the airbags inside the coils duw toy heavy loading. Definitely helped with the squatting.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Update: turns out that Airlift doesn’t make a universal kit with bags long enough for Natasha’s rear coils. Totally unloaded the inside distance top to bottom is about 13” (inside width is a hair over 5.5”). Does anyone know of a company that makes airbags for the Power Wagon? Thanks.

 

[RidgeReaper208]

Got bags last week...run them at 40-45psi when hauling 30’ travel trailer...always keep them between 10-15psi when not towing. Over time airbags will deflate and you don’t want them to be without air for it will ruin them and or shorten the lifespan of the rubber components.

Airbags work when ran properly, be good to your tools and they will be good to you.

 

[wobly]

Update: turns out that Airlift doesn’t make a universal kit with bags long enough for Natasha’s rear coils. Totally unloaded the inside distance top to bottom is about 13” (inside width is a hair over 5.5”). Does anyone know of a company that makes airbags for the Power Wagon? Thanks.

Right after I ordered my truck, I found a local guy selling his Timber Grove airbags from his Power Wagon. They are the 2" longer version. I looked at them and decided I didn't want to mount the brackets on the bottom since I thought they would rip or cause restrictions with the rear axle articulation. So, I bought the Daystar cradles and used those instead on the axle itself. They seem to work well and I haven't had any significant issues. I haven't towed yet (we will next week), but I have no doubt that they will work fine.

The only issue I had over the weekend was when we were bouncing around off-road, I kept hearing a "slap". I figured out that it was the airbag slapping down in the cradle. To fix that issue, I took a vacuum hand pump, put a bike valve on one of the lines and vacuumed the bag so it would compress up. It worked like a charm!

19'-UP RAM 2500 — Timber Grove Enterprises, LLC --Read the note about the Power Wagon needing the longer bags.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Thanks Wobly. I’ll look into it.