Helper bags or air shocks?

[midnight]

I picked up a boat this weekend and found that the nose gets a little higher than I would like. I am thinking about air shocks to help out the back. But are they any good for this kind of duty? Or would helper bags be better?

[bartonmd]

I like the Airlift 1000 airbags that go in the springs, because that's where the load is supposed to be applied... The shock hangers are fine with load, too, but it's a welded on bracket, top and bottom, so I try to keep extra load away from that.

Mike

[johnburgelin]

I would recommend the air lift bags as well, many people from here and the OS have used them with fantastic results. Cheap and easy

[irishboy02]

What is your main concern/complaint? That your sagging under trailing load? If this is the case, Airlift rear setup would benefit you-shocks will only adjust your ride quality. Also, if you plan on adding any lift to your vehicle, i highly suggest going the 'Z71' route. This is where we can use spring out of a Tahoe, which give you 1.5"+ over stock as well as a higher spring rate which allow you to have a higher tow/payload level safely.

[midnight]

It's already lifted 1.5

[irishboy02]

Using what kit? If this is the case, ditch your rear springs and purchase the 'Z71' setup. IIRC its only $50 off ebay, you can find the information regarding this somewhere on here. This will give you the same amount of lift, with a higher spring rate. This will give you a slightly stiffer ride with an empty truck, however a much improved ride quality with a payload and trailer weight. Well worth the investment

[Philberto]

Z71 springs will tide you over plenty. Only downside is you will have a higher rear unloaded than front... looks kinda weird when empty.

[midnight]

Ready lift. I just ordered the helper bag set up. I'll post pics when done

[irishboy02]

Z71 springs will tide you over plenty. Only downside is you will have a higher rear unloaded than front... looks kinda weird when empty.

If he has the 1.5" readylift kit in the front he'll sit dead even. Z71 give us 1.5" over stock. So if front is up 1.5, and rear is up 1.5, hel have the same rake he left the factory with.

[Philberto]

Z71 springs will tide you over plenty. Only downside is you will have a higher rear unloaded than front... looks kinda weird when empty.

If he has the 1.5" readylift kit in the front he'll sit dead even. Z71 give us 1.5" over stock. So if front is up 1.5, and rear is up 1.5, hel have the same rake he left the factory with.

My bad, you are correct, but I forgot, I have markmc 2.5 front and rear + Z71 springs, so probably ~4 inches unloaded in rear, 1.5 inches higher that front. When loaded, factory rake.

[bartonmd]

What is your main concern/complaint? That your sagging under trailing load? If this is the case, Airlift rear setup would benefit you-shocks will only adjust your ride quality. Also, if you plan on adding any lift to your vehicle, i highly suggest going the 'Z71' route. This is where we can use spring out of a Tahoe, which give you 1.5"+ over stock as well as a higher spring rate which allow you to have a higher tow/payload level safely.

He's talking about air shocks, not regular shocks. Air shocks are like the Airlift, but on the shock, instead of on the spring.

Mike

[irishboy02]

My bad, you are correct, but I forgot, I have markmc 1.5 front and rear + Z71 springs, so probably ~3 inches unloaded in rear, 1.5 inches higher that front. When loaded, factory rake.

Okay gotcha, I have Marks 2.5 all around with the z71 rear so i have the rake issue. However my truck gets stuffed quick and tows so that settles it pretty evenly

Thank you barton. Im not familiar with those (sry, i still dont know how to multi quote on here.) However i still feel he might benefit more from the springs no? Guess well find out when he gets the bags!

Keep us updated!

[bartonmd]

Thank you barton. Im not familiar with those (sry, i still dont know how to multi quote on here.) However i still feel he might benefit more from the springs no? Guess well find out when he gets the bags!

Yeah, been around since the late 70's, I think...

http://www.monroe.com/products/maxair.asp
http://www.autoanything.com/suspension- ... kc=ffskupo

Depends on how he uses it... If he rolls around all the time with a load, or with a trailer, sure, springs are probably the way to go... However, if he wants it to ride normal, and have normal ride height 95% of the time, but tows a heavy trailer with a heavy tongue weight, sometimes, and wants to keep ride height and "bounce" close to stock during those heavily loaded situations, as well; then the in-spring helper airbags may well be the ticket... Yes, shocks really control damping, but because the airbags make the spring very "progressive rate", it gets rid of the blowing through spring travel on bumps, then the shock having to stop that rebound.

Mike

[Trail X]

(sry, i still dont know how to multi quote on here.)

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=132&p=1039&hilit=multiquote#p1039

[midnight]

Put the bags on today. I had to mount the. Hose down due to the lift block being on top of the springs. I didn't even need to take the springs out. Just folded upmthe bags stuffed them in ran the hose and mounted the valve in the factory trailer wiring bracket. I put the max 35psi in as a test. It lifted upmthe tb about 3 inches. It was bouncy as all get out. Then I loaded up the boat. It maybe droped it a inche. I let some air out to level the tb and took off to the lake. It was so much better than the last time I pulled it. If not for a little jerk here and there I would tell you the boat wasn't there.

Now for the temp issues. (see other post)