Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Tow Vehicles & Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-13-2022, 07:56 AM   #1
shoe
Established Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Fort Thompson
Posts: 20
M.O.C. #30477
Air Bags

We just returned from a shake down trip of two weeks. I have 2010 Montana 3150 RL and a F250 SD (diesel). Towing was easy work for the truck, including holding it at speed down hills. Side winds [got stuck in 20-20MPH side winds] were Ok, but then is started gusting to 30-35 and occasionally 40. We bailed and found a campground. The truck still pulled the camper Ok, we just got an occasional rocking feeling. Would air bags help with the 'funny' feeling? Wife and I pretty much decided we'd bail in winds like that any ways. But you need to find a place to bail too. Air bags are that expensive, if they help I'd feel better with them.

If they do, what brands are people using?
 
shoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2022, 09:05 AM   #2
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
Opinions will vary here. I found bags good for leveling and not so much for sideways stability. In a top heavy load situation like a cabover camper then yes since the load is spread across the bed. Otherwise, a fiver hitch is centered and usually articulates with lateral movements. Will bags help with strong crosswinds? Mathematically, yes. Will it be noticible in seat of the pants driving, not in my experience.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2022, 09:34 AM   #3
rames14
Montana Master
 
rames14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
We agree with Montana Man. There is a reason they shut highways down to high profile vehicles out west when winds get high. Watch the weather and plan travel accordingly. When the wind gets above 40 mph, it just takes the fun out of it. There is only so much you can do to a truck to overcome that big sail following behind you. Just my $.02 worth.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
rames14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2022, 11:40 AM   #4
WeBeFulltime
Montana Master
 
WeBeFulltime's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
I agree totally with preceding comments. I have has both Firestone and Air Ride bags and preferred the Air Ride brand with on-board air. Both brands had the on-board air but the Air Rides just appeared to be of better quality materials and design. 2012 F350 SWD PSD.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD


Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
WeBeFulltime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2022, 06:49 AM   #5
1retired06
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
And both brands had bolt-ons making for easier installation. Have used both brands. Not sure they provided side to side stability, but great for dealing with rear end drop.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
1retired06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2022, 07:30 AM   #6
JDDilly
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Roseville
Posts: 265
M.O.C. #25257
I have had Air Lift on 2 trucks and they do nothing for side to side sway. They will level the TV and lessen the impact of bumps in the road. On this TV, I have the Wireless One on board compressor, I like it because easier to add or reduce air.
__________________

Jim and Carole
Roseville, MN
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Diesel, Long Box, Air Lift Bags - 2020 Montana HC 381TH, Sailun S637
JDDilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2022, 05:23 PM   #7
shoe
Established Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Fort Thompson
Posts: 20
M.O.C. #30477
Thank you

I want to thank you all for the quick responses. I believe I'll just skip adding the air bags. Since we're pretty much retired, well, we're actually kind of full-time volunteers at Diamond Willow Ministries nothing terrible happens if we're a few days 'late' on returning. So the best thing would be to site tight if we're looking at strong cross winds.

The 'funny' thing about this shake down was the weather apps said 0-5 winds where we left, 4-8 where we were headed. Nothing about between the two points where the wind really kicked up.
shoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 01:38 PM   #8
Inspector0128
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SUN CITY WEST
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #25705
Have you addressed the issue of being overweight? Very doubtful a 3/4 ton diesel has enough payload to legally tow a Montana. I know “ it pulls it like it’s not even back there”.

Take it to a CAT scale if you really want to know-but many people prefer to avoid the issue. Adding airbags does nothing to increase your payload.

Safe travels.
__________________
2020 294RL
2019 Silverado 3500 Duramax, SRW, CC Reg box
B&W Companion slider hitch
Inspector0128 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 01:39 PM   #9
Whitty
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 23
M.O.C. #22291
I have experienced the same as you. I added air bags but it did not fix it. The next thing I added was an anitsway bar. Big diffrence. Fixed it. I bought a new truck, installed the sway bar and no bags.
__________________
2016 GMC 3500HD SRW
2019 Montana 3120RL
2003 Boxster S
1964 BWF
Whitty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 02:02 PM   #10
laverdur
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Albany
Posts: 407
M.O.C. #11972
I have an AirLift self leveling system with one compressor on my TV. With one compressor, both air bags inflate at the same time. The leveling sensor is set to respond to an non-level condition after 30 seconds so that the system is not triggered by normal suspension travel while driving. Lateral pressure on the TV and Monty from cross winds can shift weight to the downwind side. When that happens, the compression of the air bag on the downwind side forces air through the common lines to the upwiind side. As a result, it does not provide side-to-side leveling in that situation. IMHO a better solution would be a sway bar on the TV if yours does not already have one. Also, a good set of gas pressure shocks (read that Bilstein) on the TV will help. Personally, I have towed in 20-35 mph crosswinds and not had a problem. It's a little more work to stay in your lane and you'll burn more fuel but that's all I have noticed.
__________________
2012 3150RL. G614 tires. Hardwired surge protector. Level-Up Hydraulic leveling.
2013 F-350 Lariat 6.7 PSD SRW SC LB 4X4 OEM hitch, air self-leveling on rear. 57-gallon replacement fuel tank. DieselSite water separator/fuel filter.
laverdur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 02:25 PM   #11
jsb5717
Montana Master
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,455
M.O.C. #23668
Sometimes there not much you can do with hard side winds except slow down or just get out of them.

However, there might be something to be said for using the right truck. The loaded pin weight on that trailer is around 3000 lbs. Add people and gear and that truck is probably WAY overloaded. What is the posted payload in the drivers door jamb of that truck?
I don't know how much better a 1 ton would have helped in strong cross winds but it likely would have been better. If the springs weren't having to manage the 1000 + lbs overage they might have better helped to stabilize the load in those high winds.

Still, there are those times when you just have to throw in the towel and get out of it for a while.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 DRW / Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 02:38 PM   #12
CaptnJohn
Montana Master
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
Air bags;
can level the truck
will take away from payload

In over 50 years towing the only thing I found to increase stability a dually! Not a cure but will help considerably
__________________
John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
CaptnJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 03:02 PM   #13
JRogers
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #22215
got a 3500 drw. Really don't notice the trailer is behind me till I run into something with it, I mean till I look in the mirrors, except.
Get a cross wind, and it gets scary!
It does not have to be a very strong cross wind either?
JRogers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 03:23 PM   #14
Sparatacus
Montana Fan
 
Sparatacus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 386
M.O.C. #24110
Quote:
Originally Posted by shoe View Post
I want to thank you all for the quick responses. I believe I'll just skip adding the air bags. Since we're pretty much retired, well, we're actually kind of full-time volunteers at Diamond Willow Ministries nothing terrible happens if we're a few days 'late' on returning. So the best thing would be to site tight if we're looking at strong cross winds.

The 'funny' thing about this shake down was the weather apps said 0-5 winds where we left, 4-8 where we were headed. Nothing about between the two points where the wind really kicked up.

Awesome that you are in the Ministries, I'm a Bishop in my church, but anyway I had both air bags so when I bought the truck I have now I decided not to do the air bag, so I went the Timbrens it so new that I haven't use them yet but here next month.
__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
Sparatacus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 03:59 PM   #15
Mocron
Established Member
 
Mocron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Livingston
Posts: 28
M.O.C. #23093
Go or no go

We've had similar questions a couple of times while being in west Texas with our 3150RL/F250 SD. We watch the roads. If several of the big rigs are rolling we go. If not we stay put a couple more days. For us it's not worth taking unnecessary risks. And we have been involved in (a different) ministry for a few years. Lots of work to be done so thanks for what you're doing.
Mocron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 04:46 PM   #16
shoe
Established Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Fort Thompson
Posts: 20
M.O.C. #30477
Inspector0128, actually we have have had it weighted with what we pack, it's at 85% of the max towing weight [was shooting for 80% but it was a good deal]. Tongue(?) should I say 'pin' weight is right at the max. This truck will be replaced with a F350 in a few years. We would have liked to go with a 5th wheel trailer a little shorter say around 30-32 feet, we pretty much decided it isn't the length that matters, it is the position and space the slide outs give you. Just couldn't seem to find a used one we liked. Unfortunately, I'm afraid this used Montana just may have spoiled us for any other trailer.
shoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2022, 08:36 PM   #17
hookseter
Established Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Benton City
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #27463
cross wind

I use the "My Radar" app. Shows wind speeds wherever you are.
hookseter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2022, 08:56 AM   #18
smkn454 Mike
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: hennepin
Posts: 67
M.O.C. #23725
We have a 2018-3791 & pull it with a 2019 Chevy Duramax dually. When we encounter strong crosswinds it will bounce us around alittle but nothing major We generally back our speed down some too if needed, but have never pulled over unless we're heading into a major storm.
I have found that air bags can't make up for more tires & the weight capacity of those tires hitting the road.
smkn454 Mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2022, 01:51 PM   #19
Mikelff
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 500
M.O.C. #26851
Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime View Post
I agree totally with preceding comments. I have has both Firestone and Air Ride bags and preferred the Air Ride brand with on-board air. Both brands had the on-board air but the Air Rides just appeared to be of better quality materials and design. 2012 F350 SWD PSD.
I agree with the Air Ride air bags with remote. Soften the ride and level the TV. They take some weight off the springs and the hard bumps are much softer with the air bags, springs and shocks able to take more shock. I love mine.
Mikelff is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.