Airbags vs new leaf springs?

All, I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, but I've done my research and understand the benefits/drawbacks of both. My question is mostly about the responses I've been getting. 

 

I've talked to a local spring shop about my rear suspension and they're pushing me to adding a leaf in my existing spring pack, which they'll rework to accommodate the load. That's no surprise given that they are *a spring shop*, but they also sell  overloads/airbags. 

 

My mechanic, who specializes in 4x4s, said the same thing and seems anti- airbag.

 

Why? Airbags seem ubiquitous in the truck camper world. Is it a case of it not being the *best* solution, although a perfectly acceptable one for most users?

 

 

One reason might be that airbags and Sumosprings contact the overload feature on your rear suspension. So they are kind of a bandaid. I must admit I've only added Sumosprings to our truck, and we are definitely overloaded...

Will you have your camper on full time or part time?

 

If the answer is part time, air bags can be deflated and you get your stock ride... new springs and no camper = harsh ride.. 

 

nothing complicated about it in my opinion..

Airbags used to not be as dependable as they are now. If you have the camper on most the time, it will be best to add some extra spring for overall dependability, robustness and better ride quality. Airbags are good to add afterwards for fine tuning the ride dependent on load and terrain. My vote is both, but start with the leaf. 

I recommend starting with quality springs made for your truck and how you use it (Deaver, Alcan, equivalent).

A consideration is if you want to increase the axle travel range by raising the truck or if you want to soften or stiffen the springs for a better 'ride'. Changing the spring stiffness and/or the height can affect the steering as well as the roll of the loaded vehicle around corners. That may lead to the need for anti-sway bar(s) and other unexpexcted mods.  Best to talk this over with whomever you select to do the spring or air bag mods. 

Of course if you raise the truck (or lower it) you would need different shocks so it is a good time to think about upgrading to shocks suited for the kind of terrain you drive on. 
 

Another consideration is the consequence of an airbag failure.  They can and do fail both from air leaks as well as from coming out of position (out of their cradle) and it is worth thinking about if your truck will still be able move, even if slowly, if an airbag fails on some dirt road or two track somewhere a long way from pavement.

Many people who are concerned about the consequences of an airbag failure have springs and use the air bags to tune the ride stiffness and ride height rather than relying solely on the airbags.  To be sure this is the most expensive solution.


I replaced the front and rear leaf springs on my truck and lifted it 2" because the distance from the axle to the front snubber stop was only about 3/4".  Now it is closer to 3" and we do not bottom out on rough dirt roads anywhere near as often as we used to. I also had the springs softened up a little and that led to some roll and sway issues when cornering.  I installed an anti-sway bar in back and that cured most of the roll and sway problems.  Now we have a softer ride with much better spring travel. 

I may add air bags in the rear for fine tuning the ride with camper on or off and for use leveling the truck and camper since I am about to install an on-board air compressor and an ARB air locking rear differential.  I will plumb the air bags separately so they can be filled differently to achieve level on uneven ground or with an uneven load.

I hope this is helpful

 

Craig

 

Edited by ckent323, 23 May 2023 - 07:15 PM.

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Putting alcan asap on my tundra 6-8 week to make going 1400lbs ones

I run my stock spring pack but added the following:

SuperSprings (helper spring) Firestone bags, Daystar cradles, Bilstein shocks . All easy for DIY installation and didn't break the bank. SuperSprings handle the load no problem and the bags level it out. Also added Helwig swaybar. Solid set up even when towing my 18' Klamath with 60hp + kicker. No roll, no sway and a very comfortable ride.

As has been mentioned, if you plan to remove the camper between trips, air bags are the only way to retain control and a decent ride both loaded and unloaded. If you plan to leave the camper on permanently, a properly specced spring pack is the way to go. I'm not fond of simple add-a-leaf kits as they can create stress risers in an otherwise well-distributed spring set. I also do not like Sumo springs and other glorified bump stops. It's worth the investment in comfort and safety to install a suitable kit from Deaver or another specialist. You'll also want shocks suitable for the extra weight.

I have to disagree that air bags are the only way to retain control and a decent ride both loaded and unloaded.

I have a 1993 Dodge W250 Clubcab 8ft cargo bed with Cummins diesel.  My camper typically goes on and off multiple times a year.  

The new front and rear Deaver Springs were sized after weighing the truck with camper on with full fuel and water tanks plus all our gear as well as two adults.  I also upgraded to 5100 series Bilstein shocks.

 

Truck rides much better, with camper either on or off, on the new Deaver springs and and shocks than it did with the old stock springs and shocks    I did add an anti-sway bar to the rear because the softer springs which are raised 2" over stock allowed some sway with the camper on.  It is fine now.  No air bags.   

Sometimes I carry cargo with the camper off that creates a heavier load on one side than the other.  Air bags would help with that.  Also air bags would be a nice to have when leveling the truck and camper on uneven ground although they will have limits but maybe allow doing away with a couple of the 2 x 8s that we carry for leveling.

 

Edited by ckent323, 27 May 2023 - 07:11 PM.