Air bags needed? 2017 Ram 1500 5.7 STD cab

[NikNak]

FINALLY leaving California... I’m looking to run 8 states towing an 2-axle 6x14 enclosed trailer with my 5.7Hemi STD cab 1500. Multiple trips...

Questions:
1. Should I add air bags to my rear springs?

2. If so, what type & where to acquire?

 

[waynestractor]

FINALLY leaving California... I’m looking to run 8 states towing an 2-axle 6x14 enclosed trailer with my 5.7Hemi STD cab 1500. Multiple trips...

Questions:
1. Should I add air bags to my rear springs?

2. If so, what type & where to acquire?

You definitely should! I have 5000lb Firesone bags in my 2500 and Airlift 1000lb bags in my 1500, both controlled by Airlift Wireless One controllers. I have the same trailer loaded with construction tools and run 25lbs of air in the 2500 to keep things level. The 1500 still sags a little with the bags maxed out at 35lbs, but it still keeps it from bouncing too much compared to no bags.

 

[crash68]

I'd suggest either the AirLift 5000 Ultimate (has internal jounce bumper) or Timber Grove frame to axle airbags for your 1500. Get a AirLift WirelessOne compressor set up, the Gen2 version can come with a mounting bracket and can be controlled by your smart phone.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/
https://timbergroveenterprises.com/

 

[bryce88]

Congrats on leaving California, hopefully you're going somewhere with some decent gun laws.
I have the airlift 1000s on my 1500 and I love them. I don't tow that often so I didn't bother with the 5000 or any sort of controller etc. I just inflate and deflate manually, not a big deal. I put the Schrader valve in with the gas cap. They work great and I love having them


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[NikNak]

I ordered the 1000s.... we’ll see how good they are.

 

[COAinPaso]

Make sure you use a separate air line n fill valve for each bag.

 

[NikNak]

Make sure you use a separate air line n fill valve for each bag.

Their directions show using the “T” so pressure is uniform. I’d be a little concerned if with separate lines, one leaked & the load was supported unevenly... thoughts & justification for separate airlines?

 

[COAinPaso]

Pressure will be uniform until truck leans in a corner or one tire goes over a bump, then all the air is forced into the opposite bag. Maybe not all of it, but even a little would be too much for me. Not something I've read, something I've learned.

 

[mtofell]

7 replies and nobody is even curious what is in the trailer?? Or, more on point, how much it weighs??

I'm a big fan of airbags and yeah, you likely would benefit from them but whether or not you NEED them really depends on the weight you are carrying.

 

[crash68]

Make sure you use a separate air line n fill valve for each bag.

Running separate fill lines for the airbags isn't necessary unless you need to correct side to side loading. This is usually something needed when a bed camper is installed.
Using a single circuit fill for adding support for pulling a trailer is all that's needed and you want both bags at the exact same pressure. The AirLift WirelessOne compressor is a single circuit and quite the popular option for helper airbags.
If someone absolutely feels they have to have separate fill lines, plumb in an isolation valve to tie the two circuits together as it will make filling them to the same pressure a lot easier.

 

[COAinPaso]

[emoji850]. Good luck OP

 

[CJK440]

Why the need for airbags if the trailer weight is distributed properly?

 

[novelmike]

Why the need for airbags if the trailer weight is distributed properly?

The 1500 coil springs are very soft. It doesn’t take much before they start to sag and affect the ride quality.

 

[crash68]

Why the need for airbags if the trailer weight is distributed properly?

along with what @novelmike stated, you might not be able to transfer enough weight to the front axle to level the truck off.

 

[NikNak]

These went in just fine. I took my time since my wife had other domestic duties scheduled for me but once I put the jack under the hitch, she avoided the garage...I did chock the front wheels & used jack stands to support the frame while I went through the wheel wells to access the springs.
Using the clamps really helped to keep the bladders in the hotdog bun shape.

 

[NikNak]

Congrats on leaving California, hopefully you're going somewhere with some decent gun laws.
I have the airlift 1000s on my 1500 and I love them. I don't tow that often so I didn't bother with the 5000 or any sort of controller etc. I just inflate and deflate manually, not a big deal. I put the Schrader valve in with the gas cap. They work great and I love having them


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Thanks for the idea. I put the valve to the right so the fuel nozzle doesn’t interfere. I did remove the torx screws for easier access.

 

[COAinPaso]

_

 

[oldguy2]

There is a direct comparison on youtube of air bags and a weight distibution hitch. Air bags do NOT work anywhere near as well. They still allow weight to be removed from the FRONT wheels possibly over loading the rear axle. Watch it and see for yourselves.

 

[NikNak]

There is a direct comparison on youtube of air bags and a weight distibution hitch. Air bags do NOT work anywhere near as well. They still allow weight to be removed from the FRONT wheels possibly over loading the rear axle. Watch it and see for yourselves.

Yup. I have a Weigh Safe hitch as well...with 4-5000 pounds in trailer, should have 400-600 pounds on hitch, which will help with airbags supporting the weak factory coil springs.