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**COReflection** · 11-26-2023, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by familytruckster4 View Post

My 2021 and 2024 Silverado crew cab 3500HD SRW both handled my 337 just fine. I dont see the need for airbags but its not my time or money.
I realize that airbags are popular with some folks but my belief has always been that if you need airbags you didnt buy enough truck.

Air bags are not used for compensating for the wrong truck. Lol. They affect the ride and towing characteristics. If you've tried them.....you'd see. Big difference.

**familytruckster4** · 11-26-2023, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by COReflection View Post

Air bags are not used for compensating for the wrong truck. Lol. They affect the ride and towing characteristics. If you've tried them.....you'd see. Big difference.

I am very familiar with air bags and their operation. You wont see them on my truck. Its just my opinion though.
The vast majority of discussions I have seen or heard about this subject have revolved around trying to enable an underspec truck carry a load it wasnt designed for. Not saying thats the case here or specifically on this site but in general thats my view of it.

**Dave27** · 11-26-2023, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by COReflection View Post

Air bags are not used for compensating for the wrong truck. Lol. They affect the ride and towing characteristics. If you've tried them.....you'd see. Big difference.

Could you elaborate on how they affect the ride and towing characteristics?
Thanks,
Dave

**Cate&Rob** · 11-26-2023, 03:25 PM

I ran Airlift airbags with the onboard compressor system when I towed our Reflection 303RLS with the HDPP F150. I would air up to usually 30 psi when towing which would lift the back of the truck less than 1” but would provide a noticeable improvement in stability. On different road surfaces, I would increase/decrease by about 15 psi which would smooth things out somewhat. Having an airbag system without an onboard compressor doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

When we got the F350 (same trailer) I decided to hold off on a airbag system until I tried without. The F350 without airbags is just as stable as the F150 with airbags. (No real surprise here).

The F350 drops about 2” to 3” with the weight of the 5th wheel . . . which brings the trailer to level with about 7” of box rail clearance. Using air bags to bring the truck back to it’s unloaded tailgate height would take considerable pressure and bring the front of the trailer about 2” above level. Neither of these seem like a good idea to me.

Just my experience and opinion . . .

Rob

**COReflection** · 11-27-2023, 06:24 AM

Originally posted by Dave27 View Post

Could you elaborate on how they affect the ride and towing characteristics?
Thanks,
Dave

Air bags can be used for several different reasons as others have noted. I installed my first set when hauling my previous Keystone Montana camper to help with the heavy pin weight. I found that I could tailor the way the pin weight hit the overload springs on a 1-ton truck for a much more comfortable ride going down the freeway and when hitting the expansion joints. I also spent the money and added the on-board wireless compressor so that I could change the ride real-time going down the road. The on-board compressor also allows me to dump the air and lower the truck stance at the campsite and then re-air up the bags when departing on my journey home. Adding or removing air to the bags can help customize the bounce and firmness of the ride while you are driving and based on road quality and etc. It’s very common for me to change the air pressure when driving depending on whether we are going down a smooth highway or flying down a washboard forest service road for boondocking. The on-board compressor allows me to do that. It’s a much more capable system and upgrade than adding Timbrens or Sumo Springs as others have done. I have already tried the Timbrens on my last truck for one trip. Never again. Sent those back! My goal was to soften and control as much of the ride characteristics as possible with some of my suspension upgrades on the truck and fiver. Now with the 3865 lb payload capacity of my new truck and the ~2500 lb pin weight of the Reflection 303RLS…..I’m well-within the capacity range of the truck so the bags are not compensating for overloading the truck at all. I’ve added the bags on the truck, replaced the Rancho shocks with Bilsteins, added a Lippert Air Pin box to the camper tongue, added a Hellwig rear sway bar to the truck, and added Comfort Ride shocks to the Reflection 303RLS camper. All-in-all…..it’s a vast improvement to the ride and firmness when empty AND pulling. Each person can make their own decision on which upgrades (if any) are needed or desired. I’ve found these upgrades to be quite helpful and worth the cost. I would do all of them over again in a heartbeat. After 30+ years of towing campers…..these provide the best ride and control to date.

As far as spring squat and mis-aligned headlights…that was never an issue for me either. My AT4 truck and the Reflection sit perfectly together and are well aligned. I think the additional tubing between the frame and the spring shackles on the Reflection 303RLS fiver helps with that spacing and lift. The bags are rated at 100 psi if desired. I typically run about ~40 psi in them to start---nothing crazy!

Many will argue they are not necessary or worth the money---I get it and that’s totally fine. It's kinda like people trying to persuade the diesel owners that a gas truck is better or just as good to tow with as a diesel. Those posts always bring smiles to my face and provide good entertainment when I chat about them with my friends who have moved from gas to diesel. To each his own……each person will rationalize or justify their passions for upgrades, purchases, and decisions. It’s what we all do and helps bring spirited conversations! J

Dave

**Dave27** · 11-27-2023, 02:41 PM

COReflection Thanks, that is a helpful explanation. I agree that everyone needs to make their own decisions based on what they value. It helps to have good first hand experience, like your's, to consider when making the decisions. You convinced Brian, so I thought you had a good story.
Thanks, Dave

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 11-27-2023, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by COReflection View Post

Air bags are not used for compensating for the wrong truck. Lol. They affect the ride and towing characteristics. If you've tried them.....you'd see. Big difference.

I understand what you are saying...but...I'll bet more people install air bags to prevent having to buy another truck rather than improving the towing experience of a capable truck.
I've had more than a few conversations with people that own half tons that bought tooo much trailer and they first go looking for airbags to remedy the situation.

**Jlawles2** · 11-27-2023, 06:57 PM

Unfortunately too many people think air bags are a problem solver for under sized tow vehicles. They think installing the bags increases the capacity of the vehicle not realizing that they have overloaded possibly every other component in the system.

I don't have bags, and have not found a need for them at this time. I'll find out if I need some suspension assistance (highly doubt it as the 2500 had no issues). As long as I'm not squirrel hunting at night (very seldom drive at night towing) I don't think I will need bags. And it's just too hard to remember where everything is in the dark to avoid the sudden face plant into the ground when you trip over the hose or something else when trying to setup at night.

**bubbleheaddoc** · 03-11-2024, 08:40 AM

Do airbags on the truck void warranty on a GD 5th Wheel? Seen a recent video where a gentleman was told by GD that it does; however, seen a few past posts in iRV2 forum stating GD stance is no. We have a 2024 310GK. Many, many, many use them, and I didn't see any discussion here on this forum about warranty and airbags on the truck.
Thanks
Brad
2024 3500 Denali Ultimate
2024 310GK

**Wileykid** · 03-11-2024, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by bubbleheaddoc View Post

Do airbags on the truck void warranty on a GD 5th Wheel? Seen a recent video where a gentleman was told by GD that it does; however, seen a few past posts in iRV2 forum stating GD stance is no. We have a 2024 310GK. Many, many, many use them, and I didn't see any discussion here on this forum about warranty and airbags on the truck.
Thanks
Brad
2024 3500 Denali Ultimate
2024 310GK

I don't see how they could. Now if you have an improperly set up truck like the trailer is pointed towards to sky while towing, and something breaks, sure, otherwise no way.

**ncitro** · 03-11-2024, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by bubbleheaddoc View Post

Do airbags on the truck void warranty on a GD 5th Wheel? Seen a recent video where a gentleman was told by GD that it does; however, seen a few past posts in iRV2 forum stating GD stance is no. We have a 2024 310GK. Many, many, many use them, and I didn't see any discussion here on this forum about warranty and airbags on the truck.
Thanks
Brad
2024 3500 Denali Ultimate
2024 310GK

Obviously you do not want to run them at too high a PSI to make the ride too stiff, but they will not void your warranty.

**Cate&Rob** · 03-11-2024, 09:51 AM

Many (most?) recent one ton trucks have very soft spring rates at the upper end to make empty ride as comfortable as possible. They need to drop at least a couple of inches to get into the "load carrying" range of the rear springs. This drop is also helpful for towing the 5th wheel level with sufficient overhang clearance. If you are trying to lift the truck back into the upper (soft spring) range of the suspension that will require air bag pressure similar to what the springs will carry themselves if you let the truck suspension absorb the weight it is designed to carry.

Rob

**Crespro** · 03-11-2024, 03:41 PM

I agree airbags should not be used to solve a truck capacity problem. However, if you are within weight limits, the airbags produce a much smoother ride and reduce the stress on the frame and front section of the fifth wheel. I know this because I once forgot to air up the bags and was shocked at the deterioration in ride. The amplitude of the bumps was obviously not good for the frame. I started at 30 psi on the airbags and gradually increased to 40 psi. That seems to be optimum for me. I believe Chad of Changing Lanes ran 45 psi on the airbags on his F-350, but he does not use airbags on his current F-450.

Best,

Charles

**TucsonJim** · 03-11-2024, 09:30 PM

bubbleheaddoc If there is a question regarding warranties on GDRV vehicles, your best option is to communicate your question directly with GDRV customer service. I'd suggest you post the question via email so you get a written response. You can send your question to customerservice@granddesignrv.com. Make sure to include your contact information and VIN.

I would not solicit warranty information on a forum or other social media site.

Jim

**bubbleheaddoc** · 03-12-2024, 02:27 PM

TucsonJim I did ask GD, officially, before I asked the question in the forum. I am still waiting on a response from GD. Honestly, I am not as dumb as my question appears to make me out to be.

Brad

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