quote:

Originally posted by KNUCKLEHEAD:
Question.....So i just added air bags, and at 70 pds, they level the trailer right out. Is this taking part of the pin weight, and shifting it towards the back of the trailer ?



Have a great 4th everyone !!

No, you aren't taking enough pin weight off to make much difference.
Air bags just don't let the truck squat. The pin weight is still there.

Thanks for all the help!

Also keep in mind that bags will settle down any bounce up might get on a bumpy road, which will prevent you from bottoming out.

Rod

KH:

Just think of air bags as "Load-Levelers" (which was their original technical title) with an added benefit of some shock absorbsion as Rod said. And NEVER run them all the way down- you'll ruin them in a heartbeat. They DO NOT add any capacity to the weight capabilities of the truck- no matter how much air you put in them.

So Rod....where the heck are your weights there, buddy?

Sean

If ur talking about the weight of my rig Sean, I have some sad news. I don't know that I will ever get it weighed. I worry about so many other things when it comes to this, that weight will just add to the list. Sorry.

Hey Sean, BTW, did I tell you I replaced my tranny a couple weeks ago. Yup, she finally went south on me. Luckily is was on the end of a trip and not pulling out of the driveway. See, I have too many thing to worry about.

Rod

OK Rod:

Just remember, "Ignorance Isn't Bliss" when it comes to being overweight!
Weigh it the next chance you get- you'll be glad you did.

Dang....how many miles did you have on your tranny? Was it an E04D? That sure isn't a cheap proposition- what did you replace it with?

Sean

I know, I know. I'll get around to weighting in someday."You don't weigh in, you don't wrestle."

My tranny went at just under 70k miles. It seems to me like it should have lasted longer but in talking to other people who tow I guess it's a total crap shoot. You could go 50k or 250k miles before it goes. I will say the tranny guy says if you tow any trailer you should change your tranny fluid every 15k miles. That seemed a little extreme, but it's still cheaper that a new tranny.
I was debating on going with an off-the-shelf up-grade like Hill Killer or Monster, then I thought about a rebuild form C.E.D. (some tranny shop in Colorado that the editor for DirtSport Mag. uses on all his truck.) They all wanted like $4000 just for the tranny, then another $500 for R&R. Not only a little pricy, but what if I had a problem, too many things to try and work out as far as warranty issuses.
I had a local guy in OC basicly take it out, replace every thing that was burned or worn out, replace all electrics, then up grade everything to heavy duty standards. When he was done it was the equivalent of the F-550 tranny, or one that you find in a deisel pusher. He has been doing that same thing for the E4OD ever since it has come out and has had great success. He also had a better warranty and is local, so if anything does ever go wrong, he's right here. I already had to go back twice to fix minor thing. They pinched the seal between the tranny and the transfer case, then the cross member was too close to the tranny, so it had a slight vibration every so offten, than the 4X4 light came on with out it being in 4X4. I know that seems like a lot of issuses with something like this, I was just glad he was right here in OC so I didn't have to travel far to correct them. OTD price was just under $3k. Still a lot, but not the most and not the cheapest.

Rod

So I went across the CHP scales this last weekend. Yes truckers were looking at me like I was an idiot, and yes I do have a friend that works there and he hooked me up. Here is my set up:

2004 F250 with 50 gal fuel tank (full) and air bags, otherwise, stock. Myself, wife, 3 yr old and newborn.

'05 W.W. LE3305. 35 gals of fuel, 130 gal fresh water. No toys(ATV's = approx. 1,000lbs) but otherwise fully loaded.

Steering = 4860 lb
Drive = 6740 lb
Tandem = 9840 lb

Total = 21440 lb

Yes I am over weight. Having ATVs in the back will help with tonge weight and I will have to make most of my trips with less water and fill on or near location. I need a new truck but can't afford one for a few yrs. It is hard to buy a truck and be able to afford a trailer a couple yrs later and still have the right T.V. F350 would still be under rated. Looks like I will need to get a F450 in a few yrs.

Tyler,
The F350 with the Tow Boss package will not be under rated.

Waiting a couple of years is good..... Rumor about a "new" F350 is going around. Can you say F450 Axles and wheels/tires?????

That would be nice! And from what I hear, if you change the springs and blocks out on a 250 to a 350's you can jump through some hoops to get a new rating sticker. I haven't looked into it myself. My dad has had an International truck declasified so that he and his company could drive it with a class 'C' liscense. Why not reverse.

Most people seam scepticle about the new Duramax and Powerstroke engines coming out for the new ULS fuel, causing them to buy, buy, buy right now. I could understand, but if some of the torque and HP numbers coming out are true, I will be happy to wait!