Limiting straps with airbags

Just put son Firestone airbags on me coma, to assist wen pulling my Scamp camper. Works grate! Easy instal. DO I NEED LIMIT STRAPS SO I DONT RIP THE BAGS WHEN 4x4ing ??

 

Most people use Daystar Cradles instead of straps so that they still get their full articulation. But yes, you'll want some protection unless you're just doing light fire-road stuff.

 

Awsome. Thanks much. I will have some cool pics soon

 

I agree with the post above. I have these daystar cradles - they work great.

$93 Daystar, Air Bag Cradle designed for full suspension travel, Fits All 6" diameter convoluted Air Bags, fits any full size of half ton truck, 2/4WD, KU09140BK, Made in America, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Daystar-designed-suspension-convoluted-KU09140BK/dp/B0084ROJBM

 

If you have a lift, yes, the cradle or straps may help. If no lift, you don't need the cradles, or straps. If you off-road the cradles will make a racket as they lift off the cradle and slam back on them. You Scamp's tongue weight is on the light side (200-300 lbs?); I don't think you need air bags for them, but if you plan on getting a bigger trailer in the future ... I've had the Firestone bags for about ten years now. They started leaking air about five years ago but only lose about five lbs a day, depending on how much air I put in them. They are still functional, but I kinda regret going this route.

 

Daystar cradles

 

mine don't make any noise

 

The rear rattles when driving fast-like over rough terrain, and bangs hard on pot holes. I got Bilstein 5125’s in the rear to smooth things over, but hasnt really helped with the noise. Maybe I’ll try putting a layer of neoprene or similar material on the cradles.

 

Neither do mine

 

I put the cradles in . Super easy as I lifted the body of the truck it looked like maximum unloaded leafspring would not damage the bags but why the risk and the cradles give me options to do a lift in the future. What I paid for the bags would be Worth even five years of life. And my first rodeo, So it’s a fun experience. Sweet feedback. I’m going to haul down a washboard road and see if I can get any rattle. Wouldn’t bug me much as long as it wasn’t damaging anything. Great idea with the neoprene some sort of padding is a great idea.

 

I usually don't air up when I off road; only air up when I have a heavy load, or tow. This weekend I aired up to about 7psi on an empty bed. That pretty much quieted them down. I now remember it is recommended you always have them aired up to about 5 psi. Still going to look into adding some neoprene.

 

I don't have airbags nor any intention to install them but I've seen the cradles recommended for them before and I'm just curious how do they work and what do they even do? Apparently they're noisy off road? Any pics of what the setup looks like?

 

Very useful for lift kits so when in full droop, the bags are not ripped apart.

 

I understand what they do, I just can't wrap around my head how they do it.

 

https://youtu.be/r4QBG3izhyA

Super simple. The bag is only attached to the frame. It floats on the axle and doesn’t limit travel.

 

Isn't this not how it's normally done?

 

You can see how the bag isn’t stretched when the suspension is flexed.

 

No. The bag is bolted to the frame and the axle both. And if you don’t have a way to limit travel, the bag becomes the limiter.

 

The cradle concept kinda seems like a no brainer to me for exactly those reasons but...


Like what would the reasoning be to have both ends attached in the first place?

 

With a stock setup there is no reason to add the cradle. The bags have enough stretch to accommodate it just fine so it's not necessary. And Firestone and others make these bags for all sorts of setups and the cradle simply isn't necessary. For example, our 2013 Sequoia has bags from the factory that auto-inflate if we put a heavy trailer on the back, and there is no need for a cradle.

If we have additional travel in the rear we need that cradle so it's a no brainer for a bunch of us.

FWIW mine also don't make any additional noise. I do keep a bit of air in them - 8-12psi - otherwise I'll smack them w/o air. In that case it's less about the noise and more about the jolt to everyone in the truck. And like others mentioned Firestone recommends some psi in the bags. I also think it simplifies the setup b/c you don't have them attached in both spots. But they're certainly not necessary for most suspensions. But absolutely great with a heavy load to keep the rear off the bumps.