Does anyone here use air shocks?

[Groover]

It seems that I have seen a lot of discussion on here about air bags vs Timbrens or Supersprings but I came across these air shocks that seems to be reasonable priced and easy to install. They are not as strong as the other devices but are probably all that I would need on a half ton truck. So has anyone tried them?

http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A5839A0A0.aspx

[mowermech]

About thirty or forty years ago, I had air shocks on one of my vehicles.
Within the parameters detailed in the instructions, they were great. They are not intended to replace overload springs!
As always, when all else fails, read and follow the instructions.

[Grit_dog]

I put some on my 70 impala back in high school so I could get the jacked up rake look when I wanted it. Wouldn’t use them on a truck for hauling anything heavy.

[rhagfo]

Groover wrote:
The reason that I asked is that a family member has found a gooseneck horse trailer that is light enough to be pulled with an F150 but the gooseneck hitch is not compatible with air bags from what I have been able to find out. So my choices are no extra support, air shocks, Timbrens or Super Springs. Etrailer.com recommends Timbrens for use with the hitch. I like the adjustability of the air springs and am concerned that the use of one of the other type devices will make the empty ride too harsh.

Have they installed the hitch yet? I would get the hitch installed and load the GN and hook it up and see how it sets, could be surprised.
I am a firm believer that a GN or 5er is a far safer and more stable package even at max GVWR than a bumper pull.

[Bedlam]

Firestone makes two different mounts based on whether you have a goose neck or fifth wheel hitch installed.

[Groover]

Well, it turns out that etrailer's advice that air bags don't work with a gooseneck hitch apparently does not apply to the Airlift 5000 bags with built in jounce bumpers so we are keeping the Airlifts for now. Putting in the gooseneck hitch was easier than I thought that it would be and the F150 seems to pull it well. We did use a 5" offset ball to give us a more clearance from the back window with the 5.5' bed. We looked at going with an offset coupler on the trailer but decided that the benefit would be minimal as that type of offset does not help much when the trailer is sideways.

[Passin_Thru]

Firestone makes airshocks for 3/4 ton front ends and I'd go with the Airlift bags on the rear. Have run them for years. I run about 15-20 lb ety and it takes the shock out of a 3/4 ton ride.

[drsteve]

I had them on a 3/4 ton conversion van that I towed a 6500 lb loaded TT with, and they didn't do the job. As other have said, shock mounts are not designed to carry weight.

[TurnThePage]

I would add a leaf long before I would trust an air shock with a heavy load.

[LIKE2BUILD]

Groover wrote:
The reason that I asked is that a family member has found a gooseneck horse trailer that is light enough to be pulled with an F150 but the gooseneck hitch is not compatible with air bags from what I have been able to find out. So my choices are no extra support, air shocks, Timbrens or Super Springs. Etrailer.com recommends Timbrens for use with the hitch. I like the adjustability of the air springs and am concerned that the use of one of the other type devices will make the empty ride too harsh.

I have Timbrens on my Ram 2500. I set up mine to set about 3/4" above the spring perch so under normal driving conditions they don't make contact. When I drop my 5th wheel in the bed the truck squats to make contact and they provide excellent helper support for my coil springs.

KJ

[Groover]

The reason that I asked is that a family member has found a gooseneck horse trailer that is light enough to be pulled with an F150 but the gooseneck hitch is not compatible with air bags from what I have been able to find out. So my choices are no extra support, air shocks, Timbrens or Super Springs. Etrailer.com recommends Timbrens for use with the hitch. I like the adjustability of the air springs and am concerned that the use of one of the other type devices will make the empty ride too harsh.

[mkirsch]

That's my understanding as well... Shock mounts are not designed to be load-bearing, so if you go into this thinking air shocks == air bags, you will be sorely disappointed.

Don't think that they'd be all you need because, "it's only a half ton truck." Half ton trucks are the ones that need the MOST help usually.

[carringb]

Except for the Bilsteins made for the GM SUVs, most air shocks are lacking in the damping department. The Bilsteins are huge however, so they don't fit other applications. The more modestly sized air shocks make it all fit by reducing both chamber sizes, so they don't do either function very well.

[JIMNLIN]

Shock mounts aren't meant to carry weight. Now if the full size car or burb or suv needed help with leveling light loads then they may work in that situation.

[theoldwizard1]

Helper air spring are more durable.