So after reading AF's thread on putting the load leveling air bags on his truck it has got me thinking about installing a set on my truck. I have a trip coming up in July where my parents and wife and I are heading out to Colorado to do some 4-Wheeling and I will be using my truck to haul them out there on a dual ATV trailer that my old man built. My question to you guys, specifically those who have LL Air bags, is if it would be beneficial to install a set before we head out to Colorado.

The ATV's are both large 500 CC+ dual seaters weighing in at ~800-850 lbs each. In addition to the ATV's there would also be a box with other gear and tools for the ATV's mounted on the trailer, which would bring the total trailer weight to approx 2K lbs. The trailer is a single axle set up with the axle sitting pretty much right between the two ATV's. There would also be cargo in the bed of the truck, mostly gas cans, luggage, coolers etc. as well as the 4 of us in the cab.

I know the majority of you guys seem to be running the Air Lift brand bags, but I was looking at the Firestone bags, as they require no drilling to install, and I have no intentions of lifting the truck in the future (from my understanding the Firestone bags will not work for a lifted truck, where the Air Lift brand will).

What are your guys thoughts on getting a set of these bags to install before the vacation?



thanks,
nateroach

 

With that weight, i wouldn't worry. I got mine because i had to tow a 25ft toy hauler with a gvwr of 10,000. but it weighs probably around 6-7k fully loaded. however, my truck with our 21ft wakeboard boat rides just fine without bags.

 

If you have no intentions of lifting it, Firestone is a good choice. Are the cheaper than Airlift? I havent priced them.

As for if you need them or not, no. A 2000 lb trailer is only gonna produce a tounge weight of about 250-300 lbs. You might sag about 1" tops fully loaded. They are nice to have though

 

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I wouldn't really need them for this trip, so I might hold off on them. The price for the Firestones are a little more @ $250, but like I said, there is no drilling to install, which would be nice.

nateroach

 

you didnt mention how much gear you are hauling. I tow my boat which has a light tongue weight, about 300-400 lbs. But on top of that the bed of the truck is loaded with probably another easy 500 lbs or so with coolers, gear, clothes, etc. Plus, we put 6 people in the cab usually too. it sags pretty good so now i need the LL airbags. So if you are hauling a bedload of stuff, maybe the bags would be beneficial on top of the trailer tongue weight?? it depends on the situation i guess.

 

I would say anything more than 600 lbs in the bed you should get the bags.

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I am thinking that there is probably only going to be ~200 lbs of gear in the bed, so it sounds like I shouldn't have too much sag. Even though i might not need them for this trip I still think that they would be beneficial, and may still get a set.

nateroach

 

I used Arnott bags. They ran $225 shipped off ebay and were bolt-on only, no drill or welding.
The pic from above looks like they require bolting that requires drilling??? They look identical to the Hellwig bags which are a direct knock-off of the Arnott bags I have.

I would say your a bit light on your load, but the bags will eliminate ANY sag whatsoever. Unless you hook up to a trailer regularly or have more than 400lbs in your bed regularly, the you don't really need the bags IMO.

AF, Firestone, Hellwig and the Arnott bags that mount over the axle rather than the leaf spring can still be used on a lifted truck. There are spacers that you can buy to match your lift and allow your bags to be raised up accordingly. You block your leafs and block your bags the same. Just an FYI...

 

I have the firestones and love them. Like mentioned above, the "gear" adds up quick. You won't "need" the bags, but you will love them if you get them. I inflate even when I haul my quads. It looks really nice not saging at all no matter what you haul.....get em

 

Leave it to DF to help drain my bank account...