Firestone Air Bags

[BigAl52]

I just wondered to all that have the air bags are you checking the air with trailer off or on the TV. I have read where some of you are using 40 to 45# and was just curious. Put a set on the Dodge and really like them so far. Sure is nice with the pin weight of the 2980 being what it is to be able to level out the truck.Al

[Yazoo]

I just put a set on my Dodge. I noticed when I filled them to 40lbs unhitched it changed to 60lbs once I hitched up. I adjusted my pressure to make my truck ride level and pick the springs up off the helper spring. I ended up at about 35lbs hitched. When I get a chance I'm going to measure the hight of the bumper unhitched (when I know my headlights are aligned correctly)and then adjust the pressure to match that height when hitched. Hope that helps

[Searchers]

I air them to 18-20 pounds before hooking up and run them completely empty when not towing. Some advise against running them empty but it's worked for me without a failure on this truck 11 years.

[ols1932]

I run mine at 50 lbs, unhitched. My rig rides level and truck doesn't squat.

Orv

[Charlie]

A system with an on board compressor and gauges makes it easy to monitor your bags and increase or decrease pressure accordingly. I do not have the on board system so a good digital gauge is necessary. Empty I run the minimum required by the manufacturer-5#. Before I hookup I inflate them to 15# and when the Montana is hooked up they have increased to 25#.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Just last week I finally put a set of air bags on the TV. I haven't hooked up the 5er on as yet so I can't really say much about them but I will be watching this thread closely.

[BigAl52]

Thanks to those who have replyed. I really like mine Glenn and it's nice to have the ability to adjust the ride height of the truck. I don't have the on board compressor as I thought I could get along without it. I did however order the t-fitting to make just one fill point. It works good and I used about 40lbs with the trailer hooked up and everything was level. I also went to Autozone and purchased one of there digital air gauges. It makes the job simple Al

[Trailer Trash 2]

I run my bags at 35#, it is so smooth now, the lights are right where they are supose to be on the road and not looking for UFO's. Best investment I have purchased for the truck.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

I didn't get the on board compressor either but I did get the T connection. As I doubt I will ever have a significant unbalance situation from side to side I thought it would be a whole lot simpler filling both bags at the same time and if the line should ever fail both bags will deflate at the same rate keeping the TV on an even plane. Years ago I had Gabriel air shocks on my El Camino with separate fill points. When the left side line blew and the car dropped on the left side at 70 MPH it made for a very unpleasant ride.

I installed the bags primarily to remove the sag and to get the headlights back where they belong and not blinding on coming cars at night.

As far as the ride, I was never uncomfortable with the ride I was receiving and therefore I will be very interested in the new smoother ride.

[DCP]

I,m running mine at 60PSI with the 5er on. When not towing I leave them at about 5PSI.

[5rvers]

I run mine at 30# all the time.

[Chad Brooks]

I have had Airlift bags on my truck for a couple of years now. I did install the onboard compressor and cockpit gauge and controls, and I am sure glad I did. I normally run 20-30lbs when hitched and, according to the condition of the road, I adjust the pressure as needed. One thing to note with the compressor system is the included hobbs switch that measures the pressure in your bags. It keeps 5lbs in the bags at all times. I get some starry looks when I dump my bags then pull out from under my 5ver. As soon as the load is off the truck, the bags automatically pump to 5lbs.

I am not sure how you guys have your bags installed, but on my truck I had to modify the brackets to allow them to work with my Reese Signature Series hitch. We drilled the upper airbag bracket and plug/seam welded it to the large side bracket that comes with the Reese hitch. What this actually does, is takes stress off my frame and puts the weight directly on the rear axle. I think it works out well, and was money spent wisely!

[DiananColin]

Don't regret installing ours one little bit. I run with about 10 lbs pressure unhitched and then pump up to a point where everything is level - about 45 lbs. We have the onboard compressor and guage which make life very easy.

Only installed them as it seemed there was a slight droop when hitched. By default we now get a much improved ride. DOuble reward!

[sreigle]

I run mine at 45 unhitched. After hitching that's now 70.