Should I Go With The 5000 Pound Firestone Air Bags Or The 7500 Kit For My 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500

Question:

2020 Chevy 2500 HD This seems to be a common question and I apologize. I am hauling a 5th wheel and will be just under or very close to the 3560 LB maximum payloads with the trailer and people in the cab. I understand that the 5000 bags may actually provide enough stabilization and improve the handling, but Im concerned that the total height achieved may still leave the truck with a slightly lower rear than level @ 100PSI. This also means that there would be no opportunity to adjust the for the handling of the truck and load due to the air PSI being at maximum of 100 PSI. and I would still have a slightly squatting truck. Thereby Im leaning toward the 7500 airbags. Are the 7500 lb. air bags destined to make the truck bouncy as hell when not under load and at minimums PSI?? Any insights in this? Is there a way I can measure for this without actually putting the smaller air bags in? Thank you

asked by: Joshua M

Expert Reply:

Though the Firestone Ride-Rite Red Label Extreme Duty Air Helper Springs # F2709 will offer you more support when fully loaded, they will also affect your ride a lot more when not loaded. Even at the lowest setting (5 psi). I really only recommend this set up for people that are towing very heavy loads all the time, or have an in-bed camper that they leave in most of the time. Typically, the 5,000 pound capacity Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs # F2613 will offer more than enough support for the average tower and they will definitely not affect your unloaded ride nearly as severely.

Unfortunately, I don't have a way to compare the height differences between the two as every load is different, so my deciding factor for you will be how often you tow versus how often you do not. If you tow your 5th wheel all the time, go with the 7,500 pound # F2709 kit. If you are more of the occasional tower, the 5,000 pound # F2613 kit will serve you well and won't mess with your ride too much either. Personally, I prefer the 5,000 pound kits. Though my Silverado is a 1500, I like the stock ride.

expert reply by: Lazer S