DavidM49 wrote: I guess I am confused on what airbags do.
The airbags don't do anything really. The truck is rated for what it is rated for, no add-on's can change that. You may feel better about them, but "legally" it doesn't change a thing.
rcchallenger wrote: ... and be forced to replace your garage wall Playboy calendar with autographed naked pictures of Bea Arthur and the Golden Girls.
I think I may be sick after reading that! I guess it could have been worse though... could have said Estelle Getty!
Forced Family Fun... They'll thank you later for it! Have you checked out the new RV.net Blogs?
DavidM49 wrote: I guess I am confused on what airbags do.
The airbags don't do anything really. The truck is rated for what it is rated for, no add-on's can change that. You may feel better about them, but "legally" it doesn't change a thing.
Well, of course the airbags do "something": they supplement the springs and help to lift the rear of the truck and level it out when under a load. However, you are correct in your statement that airbags will not increase any of the vehicle's ratings. (i.e. GVWR, RAWR, GCVWR)
radvans wrote: Don't worry about the axles, they are rated for over 11,000 pounds from the manufacture. The springs are where you get the lower ratings, and your air bags take care of that weight. Normally the only difference in a 2500 and 3500 is the amount and type of spring pack. The axles on a dually are the same up till the first tire as they are on a single wheel 2500. The only reason they get a higher rating is the 2nd tire to handle additional weight. There are those that say they handle better but I have ridden in them and it feels the same to me.
The big issue will be the tires. The air bags do not help them. They must carry the full load no matter what axle or spring you have. So if you can upgrade the springs to support the weight then you really have to focus on the tires/rims.
If you can get those up to par you'll be fine and there are ways to LEGALLY upgrade your GVWR if you have issues with being over the legal weight. If you are interested PM and I'll send you a link. It does cost and you have to pass a test but it is doable. The test is through the DMV, I'm not trying to sell anything. The weights of our trucks is due to the fact they are used for personal so we don't have to pay additional road tax or stop at weigh stations. Once you LEGALLY change it you will have to do both. Don't let the weight police on this site stop you, the vehicle codes are only stated for commercial uses about max weights.
I tow a 40 3 slide 5er w/a 2500 chevy and have never had issues with the weight or drive ability. I put over 10,000 a year on the trailer and truck for the past 4 years. I also air down my tires for days at a time and drive all over the dunes to park with no issues.
I still think speed has more to contribute to safety and longevity of your tires then anything else.
Please do not respond to my thread with you personal opinions about my setup. I don't really care for any weight police comments. You drive yours and I'll drive mine.
radvans wrote: I still think speed has more to contribute to safety and longevity of your tires then anything
I agree!!
I think you'll be fine, just remember.....slow and easy. Getting there is half the fun.
The Roach's:Jim, Lisa, Jess, Megan, Buddy(boxer), Cujo(mutt), Bella (Pomeranian)and Dolly(Chihuahua).
2007 Ford Super Duty
2006 Rage'n Toy Hauler 2006 KTM 525 EXC 2005 CRF 230 2004 CRF 230 2004 TTR 125L Don't sweat the little things in life
The airbags don't do anything really. The truck is rated for what it is rated for, no add-on's can change that. You may feel better about them, but "legally" it doesn't change a thing.
Well, of course the airbags do "something": they supplement the springs and help to lift the rear of the truck and level it out when under a load. However, you are correct in your statement that airbags will not increase any of the vehicle's ratings. (i.e. GVWR, RAWR, GCVWR)
The first statement is completely false. The bags help to level the load to allow the suspension to have full travel. Even on a truck within the gvwr air bags are a good idea. Second, the axle on all the 3/4 and above trucks is rated much higher then what the truck manufacture states, BECAUSE, they are rating the spring packs. The axles are rated for over 11,000 on all three big truck manufactures and are used on other vehicles that weigh much more than the standard passengar 3/4-1 ton trucks. You know what the difference is. Gears, tires, wheels, springs, shocks.
Go to a dealer and have them look up the springs on the different 3/4 and above models. You will see the real difference an extra spring or two. Other then that the tires/wheels are upgrade on the 1 tons. And have you looked, some that have lower gears, 4.10's are rated for more. Do you know why? Again because that is an upgrade. OK, well I have taken care of that with my tires, gears, and the air bags. So really I have better upgrades then the factor vehicle. Hell I have a $4000 race trans in my truck. Think that isn't strong then stock? Lets pull together and see which one you would rather have. Don't like it? Want to be the guy that just blindly walks along, fine, but don't say I'm wrong because you are not willing to do a little research. Damn, no one really listens on this site.
Does anyone every upgrade something? Do you really think a stock hitch is better then an after market one or one that a true trained welder can build? Its like talking to a brainwasher "global warming" addict. Do some research for yourself.
The second statement is correct bags helping but incorrect about legally increasing the gvwr. I can add parts to my truck to make it have a higher gvwr, but it will become a commercial vehicle and have to go by all the standards of that license and class. I will have to pay the yearly fees and have to stop a weigh stations.
We are not bound to the weight class of commercial vehicles. The reason why is taxes. Commercial vehicles pay a tax for their weight. The vehicle code only states we need a non commercial classs a license and towing endorsement is the tt is over 10,000 or hte 5er is over 15,000. This has nothing to do with the weight capacity of the truck from the manufacture.
* This post was
edited 06/04/08 09:27am by an administrator/moderator *
Quote: The airbags don't do anything really. The truck is rated for what it is rated for, no add-on's can change that. You may feel better about them, but "legally" it doesn't change a thing.
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