just wondering...... 99 chev. silv. 2500 w/ 6.0 (stock suspension - not lifted or anything)
installing 4 Rancho 9000 shocks, using wieght distribution w/ sway control on a 26' hauler (total wght - approx. 9000 when fully loaded) hitch wt approx 800 - 900) would rear bags really be worth the investment or would they just be overkill. any input on the airbags would be great.

thanks

 

Overkill just put stiffer springs from the 1 ton.

 

Either way will work. Adding a spring will be definately cheaper, but I think the ride improves with the airbag system.

 

Airbags are where its at. Helper springs are stiff as hell all the time. You can adjust the bags to where you like.
I just had them installed on my truck and love them

 

or get overload springs, that would only work when towing, air bags are somewhat a pain to fill evenly if not using onboard compressor and guage inline, the overloads are perfect though will help with the weight and won't affect ride when not towing. are you sagging to the point where u need them? most people with your truck don't need them if the weight distro is properly setup, have u individually weighted the axles, to see what the WD is doing for you?

 

I would try driving it first loaded up, with the equalizing hitch you'll probably be fine as is, but if you need more, bags are kinda pricy but probably the best ride, A lot of folks like Timbrens too, I would not use add on O/L springs myself, my .02

 

I put on the airbags without the compressor and guage. Much less expensive. Nice thing about the bags is that you can let most of the air out when your not towing or hauling and your ride quality is back to normal. Overloads will work and will likely be cheaper, however, your ride quality will always be rougher.

 

Air bags are great for up to 5000 lbs with a level ride. Had them on last 3 trucks, just got a new 05 and installing them in the next couple weeks.

 

Guy's
I have had airbags for three years on one truck and two years on the other. Both trucks are one ton Cummins Rams and I would never be without airbags on any truck I used for towing. Both os these Dodges also have the on board cpmpressor and guages, this is money you will never regret spending.

I tow a lot, I have a 34 ft 5th wheel as well as a brand new Toy Hauler and tow one or the other almost every weekend. The airbags do have a specific use however. They add nothing, absolutly nothing to the towing limits of your truck. That GVRW is set by one of two ways depending on where you live. In some states the GVWR is set by the manufacturer of the truck, in some other states the State itself sets limits on our trucks. So the limit or at least the safe limits for towing are not helped by the use of airbags or overloads or any other device you can add to your truck. What the airbags do, do is return your loaded truck back to it's unloaded ride height, and that is all they are designed to do. In doing this they also return the handling back to very close to what it was before you loaded that trailer to it.

Over loads will not do this or even come close. For overloads to work at all the suspension needs to sag to the point that the overloads can begin to work, the ride height of the truck will then be what it is with the overloads, loaded. And will stay there. The airbags will return the truck to the unloaded height. Ride unloaded with the airbags is unchanged from the original ride. These are very cool if you do in fact tow very much, I personally would not be without them.

Gunny

 

after installing the airbags with the compressor, you can use the compressor for other things like tires, air tools ,etc