Will Installed Air Bags Interfere With Installation Of Fifth Wheel On 2001 Ford F-250 Or F-350
Question:
I have watched your installation videos for the custom brackets for a 5th wheel hitch and was wondering how the install will change if the truck is equipped with air bags. it appears that the install brackets go right where the air bag mount is located. Can you shed some light on this for me please. Thanks
asked by: Mike G
Expert Reply:
I spoke with my contact at Firestone about your 2001 Ford F-250 or F-350. Since we have a couple of air bag systems manufactured by Firestone I asked if there would be any interference when installing a fifth-wheel hitch and using the custom brackets like part # RP50082-58.
My contact at Firestone said that if you have an air bag system like the # F2550 installed on your truck, they would not interfere with a fifth wheel installation because the brackets for the air bag system are installed on the inside part of the truck frame rail. They told me if you have the # F2071 Firestone system, it would not work with a fifth wheel system on your truck because the brackets for a system like the # F2071 are installed on the outside of the frame rail and would interfere with brackets for the fifth wheel installation.
I also spoke with my contact at Reese and they said they have not installed the two systems together so they could not tell me if there would be interference or not.
A note of caution is that it will void the warranty for the fifth wheel brackets if they are modified in any way. We have had many customers that have opened up the hole on the fifth wheel bracket on the # RP50082-58. I have attached a photo of the bracket and have noted the hole that may need to be opened up. Since the frame rail does have a recess at that point you may not have to do anything. You will want to make sure the bracket sits flat against the frame rail. I have also attached a photo that shows where the bolt for the # F2550 air bag system is. Another alternative would be to use the universal installation kit like part # RP30035. The brackets included with this kit do not interfere with the air bag brackets or hardware when installed.
I have attached a couple of installation videos you can check out.
Products Referenced in This Question
Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Air Springs
- Heavy Duty
- Firestone
more information >
Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Air Springs
- Heavy Duty
- Firestone
more information >
Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Universal
- Above the Bed
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Above the Bed
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: Firestone Air Command Standard Duty Air Compressor - Smartphone App Only - Single Path
- Shop: Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Shop: Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle
- Shop: Air Lift Union Tee for 1/4" Air Lines
- Shop: Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle
- Video: Andersen Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Trailer - AM3139 Review
- Shop: Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks
- Shop: No-Drill Mount Kit for Firestone Air Command 2610
- Search Results: airbags
- Video: Convert-A-Ball Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Trailer - CAB-C5GX1216 Review
- Video: Review of Andersen Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Trailer - AM3100
- Search Results: bwrvk3400~5w
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs Installation - 2014 Ford F-150
- Search Results: air command f3
- Search Results: firestone wireless air command
- Search Results: f2590
- Q&A: Dual Path Air Bag Compressor System that Can Be Controlled With A Smart Phone
- Q&A: Does the Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags F35FV For a 2019 Ford F-350 Require Drilling
- Q&A: Do Firestone Air Bags F2597 Work w/ B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch on 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Firestone Air Command Remote Controller Signal Loss
- Q&A: Best Suspension Enhancement for 2019 Ford F-250 Towing Fifth Wheel
- Q&A: Air Bag Suspension and Air Compressor System For 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Shop: RV Jack Pads
- Search Results: sewer hose storage
- Shop: Towing Mirrors
- Search Results: valterra stabilizer