Air bags are for leveling a truck and not for increasing the load capacity. Two ways to increase the load capacity - add SuperSprings which can add 1500-3000 load capacity ...

Air bags are for leveling a truck and not for increasing the load capacity. Two ways to increase the load capacity - add SuperSprings which can add 1500-3000 load capacity or have a local shop add another leaf. Second option is the cheapest and cost will be under $200. SuperSprings will affect the ride the least when the truck is empty in the back or has a light load (plants only for instance) but will cost $450 plus installation (easier to do yourself in under an hour).

In my case I went the Supersprings route but bought the set with a double leaf for each side which cost $40 more than the single leaf set. I then took out the second leaf and set them aside. The single leaf setup worked fine but if I later decide to use the second set of leaf springs all it will cost me is my time. Took all of 5 minutes to remove the inner spring so have this option. One leaf adds about 1500 lb. load capacity and two will add 3000 lb. to the load capacity of the leaf springs. This does not change overall truck load capacity.

I loaded a 3300# camper in the back of my 2011 2500HD and the truck was level with no sag at the rear whatsoever and road handling was excellent for this amount of weight with its high COG - no sway or frame or suspension problems and this was with the OEM shocks. At some point I will replace the stock shocks with adjustable Rancho 9000's.

I'm not looking to increase the capacity- I'm looking mainly to eliminate the sag while hauling\towing heavy loads.

jon, i got the air-lift kit on mine. i haul regularly and love them. at first i wanted to go with the whole onboard air approach, but instead i tied both bags into one line, ran it into the cab, and have the schrader mounted under the dash. i keep a small 12v compressor under my seat for when i need to fill them. works great. around $250.

Holy crap, that's perfect! What size compressor do you have? I've got a small one for emergency uses, but I don't know what size it is.

I just use a 15 dollar cig plug in type compressor. Cheap, but it fills the Firestone bags in a heartbeat. Keep it in my safety bag under the rear seat.
Also the Timbrens in the rear might be a good bet Jon. But I think they would squash under all that sod and such , where as a bag system will either pop or hold your level.

Here you go, Jon,

http://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-3527-Lp-3 ... automotive

It's basically an addition to your leafsprings. Can't say no to 3500 lbs limit. Can you?

Thanks, but I'm pretty set on the airbags from Firestone. I'm looking at their Ride-Rite kit for $289 at AutoAnything.com. Will I need extra line to run it into the cab?

You can either spend $450 on air bags or the same amount on SuperSprings. The SuperSprings are the better choice as they work with your existing springs only when you have a very heavy load. They can increase the load carrying capabilities of your truck by 3000 lbs. and come in both single leaf 1500 lb. or double leaf versions. The double leaf sets are easy to remove a leaf if it turns out to be too much. Air bags are better for leveling a truck than for increasing the load capacity.

After you upgrade the springs you are likely to also find your current shocks also in need of an upgrade. Rancho 9000XL are good as they are adjustable so you can change the stiffness based on the load you are carrying. Makes for a smoother ride when the truck is lightly loaded.

I would go with a super spring also, all those little things to make filling and deflating the air bag easier is great.... But.

Why would you want to do all that when you can simply install a spring helper(supersprings) and basicly forget about it. You put a load in the bed the spring engages your truck stays level and you drive away.


Or the truck gets loaded you spend 5min(time is money)
Dicking with air pressure only to drive away and decide it might need more air. Ohh and then there is deflating the bag after but not too much or you might dammage the bag.

At the end of the day you put in a spring and forget its even there. Or you can have airbags that require upkeep and consant adjusting based on the load your carrying.

I think you guys are right. Something that is self activating, and self leveling, would save tons of time and messing around out on the job site. Sure, they're twice the price of airbags, but since I'm not going to spend any time maintaining them after the installation, I'd say it's worth it.

We put close to 4000 Lbs. in the bed two days ago, and the bump stops were about 1" off the rear axle. Even with just a normal load of lawn care gear, plus a bed full of yard waste, the scale was reading 9000 Lbs., which is only a few hundred less than the gross vehicle weight rating. The engine and brakes can handle the load, but the next step is to get that rear suspension under control. Thanks to SilveradoSierra.com, I've found the solution!