What are shock/spring options for loaded long trip

[Fargo]

I am hoping to take the family on a long vacation this year with my Pathfinder. We will be gone for about 2 weeks and we will carrying tents coolers etc. So we will be loaded down. I like the way the Pathy rides empty, but it does feel a bit soft when loaded down. My stock shocks have about 50,000 highway miles on them. So I think they are in pretty good shape yet, but probably not to far out from needing to be replaced. So I might be able to be talked into new shocks if they are needed. I love the Bilstein 5160s I have on my TJ so I lean heavily towards a Bilstein shock. I have also considered using air bags or shocks with helper springs.

So I guess my question is what are you guys using and what do you recommend.

1) How long should I expect stock shocks to last
2) Does Bilstein make any shocks with helper springs
3) What are your experiences with air bags
4) Any other shock/spring recommendations

[smj999smj]

This is a very popular upgrade on these Pathfinders: install Bilstein HD rear shocks and AirLift 1000 air bags. It's all you need! If you are towing anything really heavy, then a weight distributing hitch would be recommended.

[Fargo]

Thanks I've really been considering getting the airbags. Seems like a good solution for when I'm loaded and giving me the ability to return to stock when empty. Although new springs are tempting as my Pathy does seem to sit about an inch lower in the rear.

[Kestral]

Airbags are a must for R51 owners they make a huge difference. I quite often have something in the back of my Pathy like a copier machine or a few cases of copy paper not to mention I tow a 5,000 lb camper and pumping up the air bags with my WD hitch works fantastic.

[smj999smj]

It's the best $80 you'll spend on your Pathy!

[Fargo]

Its really sounding like a good idea to get the bags. Where is the best place to purchase the air bags?

[smj999smj]

Pretty much any place you can get them the cheapest. Firestone also makes a similar kit, the only real difference is the bags are blue instead of red. I purchased mine through Advance Auto Parts; with a Speed Perks reward and using discount code TRT30 for 30% off, I ended up paying around $50 at the time. $75-$80 is about the going rate for the Airlift 1000s. Some state for 4x4 applications, but they'll work on rear wheel drive applications, as well.

[Fargo]

I just got my airbags and have a few questions. Are you guys running 2 air lines or just one line? My concern is that if I run 1 shared line between both bags, won't that affect stability in corners. It seems to me that if both bags share the same line air will just pass between both bags. So if I am in a hard corner and the vehicle starts to lean to the outside of the corner won't all the extra pressure on the outside airbag just push the air to the inside bag? Which would actually make the situation worse by pushing up even further on the inside spring?

EDIT: I called Air lift and they said there were no check valves in the bags so the pressure will move from side to side. Which seems very counter intuitive to me. So I will use 2 individual lines to maintain pressure equally in each bag. In hind sight I think stiffer springs might have been my better option. But I have the bags so I'll give them a try.

[smj999smj]

Most people run two, individual lines.

[Kestral]

I ran two lines ... Also after you install them give them a chance settle before taking serious air pressure readings you may feel they are leaking air for a few days but it will prob be just the air bags moving around a little and getting use to there new home. After a few days adjust them again and they should keep air pressure the same.

[Fargo]

Thanks I ran 2 lines. It was a pretty easy job, but still took me longer than it should have.

[kaktus]

I'm running just one line without any problems. Seems to keep both bags perfectly inflated at the same psi.

[Fargo]

Just got back from my trip. The air bags worked very well. I was very happy with how the Pathfinder handled all the extra weight. I know it would have been a very different ride without the air bags.

[Thupertrooper]

Thats awesome nothing but good reviews for the airbags.