Will Rear Air Bags Smooth Out Ride in 2001 Ford F-350 When Towing Bumper Pull Trailer

Updated 01/21/2020 | Published 01/17/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3013)

$462.58

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(840)

$705.88

Question:

If we installed air on our 2001 Ford F-350 dual rear wheel would the ride smooth out? We are towing a 5,500 bumper pull and the truck rides like a tank.

asked by: Laurel H

Helpful Expert Reply:

Installing a rear air bag system like the Firestone Ride-Rite # F2550 you were looking at (which would be my particular air bag recommendation as well) will absolutely smooth out the ride in your 2001 F-350, whether you're towing your 5,500 pound trailer, hauling a heavy load in the bed, or just riding empty on the way to work. The adjustability on the air springs allows you to fill in the gap between it and the contact point on the axle, greatly reducing the tank-like ride you described, eliminating rear sag, and smoothing out all the edges of every bump and turn you make.

Please just note that this particular model will not fit if you have the V10 Gas Engine with the Extended Cab and 8 foot bed.

Something else that I recommend considering if you don't already have one is a weight distribution system. Even more than rear suspension upgrades, a weight distribution system is going to drastically increase your comfort in the cab when towing a bumper pull trailer. It will actually re-distribute weight from the trailer to all the axles of your setup (truck and trailer) to provide a level ride, while integrated anti-sway bars on most systems will keep everything in line during travel to reduce any side-to-side movement.

If you don't already have a weight distribution system I actually recommend starting there, seeing how you feel with everything hooked up, and then going to rear suspension upgrades if you still feel like there could be some improvement.

For a 5,500 pound trailer the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37100ET will work perfectly. Its 600 to 1,000 pound tongue weight capacity range matches the potential range on this size trailer and its unique 4-point sway control will really cut down on those white-knuckle moments in the cab. All the necessary components are included.

I have attached a short video demonstration below that you can check out as well.

expert reply by: Chris R

Laurel H.

1/20/2020

Which would be better for a smoother ride on a 2001 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Dually, Firestone Air bag system or the Sulastic Rubber Spring /Shackles ?

Jacob H.

1/21/2020

Laurel, I have Firestone bags on my personal truck and I have been very pleased with the ride comfort while hauling trailers. You will be able to adjust the air pressure in the bags to your liking. What I normally do is put the appropriate amount of air in the bags to get the truck back to factory ride height with the trailer and let air out to make it softer if its too firm. I took a look at the Sulastic Rubber Leaf spring shackles and it looks like there is no adjustment for comfort in them. The Firestone air bag kit that you will need is # F2550

Helpful Links

Vehicle-Suspension/Ford/F-250+and+F-350+Super+Duty/2001/F2550.html