Air Bags

[Montana_4221]

We are considering air bags for rear suspension on our tow vehicle. Any recomendations on brands or suppliers.

Thanks in advance,
Michael

[carlson]

In my 2003 F350 I put Firestone RideRite air bags, really like them, and I am ordering next week the Firestone air bags for the new 2005 Chevy HD2500.
I am installing a Superglide Hitch and I have a 70 gallon Transflow fuel tank.

[Charlie]

Michael-
I installed the Firestone Ride-Rite air bags to my F-250 and they did the trick. I was almost sold the wrong bags by an incompentant sales person.
Here is a link to the Ride-Rite web site:
http://www.ride-rite.com/

The model that you want is the 2330 as they are a no-drill setup. Here is another link that gives detailed pictures and instructions. It opens in Adobe format.....
http://www.ride-rite.com/installatio...tions/2330.pdf
This should give you the info you are looking for.

[sreigle]

We also have the Firestone Ride-Rite bags and also have the onboard compressor with gauge and switch in the cab. We can adjust pressure while on the road, which sometimes helps to somewhat smooth out the herky-jerky on those concrete interstates. In addition to its duties of providing a level riding truck.

[richfaa]

We had them on our previous Tv the trusty silverado.Got them at CW.They were on for several years and really helped in keeping level and damping out the ride pulling a TT.

[Montana_4221]

Thanks for the info. I was leaning toward firestone and it looks like my first impression was right. Charlie thanks for the links. Very helpfull info.

Also can you use these without the on board compressor. Thats alot more expense.

Thanks again
Michael

I'll retract the question about the compressor. Charlies link for installation answered it.

[carlson]

You don't need a on-board air compressor.
You can use a small battery powered air compressor or once you figuire out what pressure you need, is just stop by a gasx station with a outside air fill station and pump up the bags.
Without the trailer you need to run about 10 psi in the bags just to keep them inflated a little, and when I hooked up the trailer, I went to 50psi.

[Charlie]

Micheal-
Something I forgot to mention is remember that when you hook up the Monty to the back of your truck the pressure applied to your suspension will also apply to the air bags. I start with about 25# pressure in the bags and when the trailer is on the hitch it increases to about 45#. I have seen others here on the forum that say they run about 50# pressure, but think that these are running on board compressor and gauges.

[sreigle]

I generally deflate the bags entirely before unhitching and hitching. I then run around 3 to 5 psi in them when not towing. I think they recommend at least 5 psi. The one time I forgot to deflate before unhitching I noticed psi was at 45 after unhitching. When hitched it is at 70 psi. Our Montana has a pinweight of 3300 so requires pretty good pressure.

The onboard compressor is not required nor even necessary but it is very quick and easy to inflate and deflate. And I consider the ability to adjust to road conditions on the fly to be invaluable. But that's just my opinion. We had the Firestones on another truck a few years ago with the compressor so when we got them for this truck I insisted on the compressor. This is naturally just a personal preference. You can do just fine without the compressor if you want.

[gitrdun]

I have a 2500HD Duramax Chevy and I use air lift air bags inflate to 50 psi. when puliing my 2980. When empty inflate to 5 psi. Wouldn't do without them.

[DHenry]

I have the same as gitrdun, except I inflate to 60psi when pulling my 3670. We have the onboard compressor and would get it again if we traded trucks. The onboard compressor and gauges make it very easy to inflate and adjust the pressures as the situation changes.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

OK that settles it. Been kicking it around for weeks, guess I'll be gettin me a set of Ride-Rites.

[Montana_3598]

You won't be sorry... I had the Ride-Rites on my first tow vehicle without the compressor, and that helped tremendously, but for this one I insisted on the onboard compressor. Granted, it is a bit more cash but I had too many instances where I couldn't find a place with high pressure air (the quarter machines just don't do it!) and running around with 'em inflated makes for one rough ride with no rig attached. Whatever tow vehicle I have ever moving forward I will probably always have the air bags.