I used Firestone airbags on my 07’ LBZ. They have been on ever since it was new. Never any issues.

 

Any change to the spring setup will have a negative effect on ride quality when empty. Airbags don't.

Although not exactly the same setup, I put Firestone bags on my 2004 F250 powerstroke when I put a 2800 lb camper on it. I looked at different spring packs, sumo overloads, all that. The Airbags made a huge difference, I circuited them separately on both sides, which really helped control sway. I had an onboard compressor, which made leveling the camper way easier - If the camper was tail-high when I parked, I dumped air. I could also air up if the tail was low. I kept the passenger side bag about 8-10 lbs higher in pressure, since the camper had the kitchen on that side and rode off-kilter when loaded.

In four years and 45,000 miles of that setup I had not a single airbag failure. I also had onboard air which saved my ass big time when I had a flat spare tire in northern Idaho (and ran over a sharp rock and shredded the crappy Bridgestone tires I had on the truck)

If an airbag or compressor or airline goes out while driving, you've still got leaf springs there, and although slightly less stable, its still able to get you where you need to go. I would do airbags in a hearbeat again if needed.

 

Definitely add the sway bars. I have a Lance 835 camper which is about 2500 lbs (give or take). With a 3500 SRW it doesn't even engage the overloads. I added Torklift overload spacers that slightly engage them. I would load the camper, add all your junk and liquids, and see how it sits. If you need more spring, then like the others suggested, I would seriously consider air bags, aired separately so you get some additional sway control.

 

I appreciate all the advice!
I’ll start looking more at air bags....I do carry a portable air compressor at all times.

My concern is, if my factory 2500 springs are too soft and would bottom out with the heavy load...would most all the load be carried by the air bags? And is that too much?
I feel like the springs should carry most the load while the air bags are there for some additional support/leveling/adjusting. Is that right?

 

I appreciate all the advice!
I’ll start looking more at air bags....I do carry a portable air compressor at all times.

My concern is, if my factory 2500 springs are too soft and would bottom out with the heavy load...would most all the load be carried by the air bags? And is that too much?
I feel like the springs should carry most the load while the air bags are there for some additional support/leveling/adjusting. Is that right?

Before spending a lot of your money on air bags, check out TorkLift lower StableLoads for your 2500. They engage your lower overload spring right away and provide great side to side stability, level out your truck with a camper, and can be engaged/dis-engaged in minutes. I've been using them for 8 years with my truck camper and can say it is the single best thing you can do. No bouncy side affects like airbags can give when used to lift your rear suspension.

 

Looking to do the same to an 04 2500hd, what mods did you end up doing?