Questions about air bags?
Posted by Cybergonk2077@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 5 comments
Hoping this is a good place to ask. I have a medium duty truck, its a farm truck with a dump bed. my question is, how do I size air bags appropriately? I tend to haul around 3 yards of material at a time. the bed holds just under 6 but I like to keep it from being too overloaded. it is set up on leaf springs currently.
all that being said, the leafs are starting to show some age, and im trying to educate myself on air bags to take the weight off the springs and help the truck last longer.
how do I know what size bags I need? do I overshoot and get 12k lbs bags? any help would be appreciated.
no the truck does not see highway use, personal farm use only. thank you
truckeredditor@reddit
Get the cheapest most common design. Just need a leveler/dump/relief valve to avoid turning them into little bombs. Also a regulator on the inlet side. Something that would prevent going above the max psi on them.
If it were me just go get some cheap freightliner spec ones. They'll be the most common bag you'll find. Cheap. Easy to replace. Whatever psi to raise the axle is all you need to fill them with. The leveler/excess valve will stop them when they reach the max height you want. My truck has 4 bags holding up about 28,000 pounds on my drives at about 60psi (that's roughly 34k including the axles, frame, wheels, etc).
homucifer666@reddit
I would check what the OEM airbags are for your specific make and model, and probably buy those specific ones.
Cybergonk2077@reddit (OP)
I agree, if the truck wasn't almost 40 years old that would be the way to go. Unfortunately it was old and did not ship from factory with air bags, and most others ive seen from its era came with custom built packages. If you have any information on air bag fitment and sizing for a 1988 chevrolet c3500HD id be more than willing to hear it
psychic_legume@reddit
Are you looking to completely replace the rear springs with airbags and beams, or install them as "helper springs" to take weight off the oem springs?
Cybergonk2077@reddit (OP)
Sorry I must not have been clear enough, I want to use them as helper springs. I'll also be rebuilding my spring pack with new leafs