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Old 08-04-2018, 05:00 PM   #1
Donjamin
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Just completed install of an Air Lift 7500XL on my Ford F250

A couple of weeks ago we bought our first Montana 3160 RL 5th wheel. This is our 3rd fifth wheel after owning a Crossroads and Wildwood units. I Installed an Air Lift 7500 XL airbag set, an Air Lift 16092 air compressor and dual guage pod on my Ford F-250 SD 4X4 Crew this weekend. The Air Lift manual says to run a minimum of 5 psi in the bags unloaded. When towing, what is a typical psi setting those who have air bags are using? Thanks for the response.

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Old 08-04-2018, 05:34 PM   #2
Montana Man
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Whatever it takes to just make the truck level. All situations are different as far as pressure. You will know when you go too much because it will feel like a hard tail Harley.
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Old 08-04-2018, 05:49 PM   #3
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I have the firestone airbags and i run about 40 to 42 pounds in them.Your goal is to run level so just what ever it takes to do that.
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Old 08-04-2018, 06:09 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donjamin View Post
A couple of weeks ago we bought our first Montana 3160 RL 5th wheel. This is our 3rd fifth wheel after owning a Crossroads and Wildwood units. I Installed an Air Lift 7500 XL airbag set, an Air Lift 16092 air compressor and dual guage pod on my Ford F-250 SD 4X4 Crew this weekend. The Air Lift manual says to run a minimum of 5 psi in the bags unloaded. When towing, what is a typical psi setting those who have air bags are using? Thanks for the response.

Donjamin
Donjamin,

Welcome to the forum!

I run 45-50 PSI in mine pulling the same rig.
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Old 08-04-2018, 06:23 PM   #5
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55 in my Firestone airbags.
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Old 08-04-2018, 07:10 PM   #6
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32-35# for me. I also have a Fifth Airborne pinbox that I carry about 85# in the puck.
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Old 08-05-2018, 07:48 AM   #7
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The truck being level isn't correct. Normally the truck may not sit level. The back may be a little higher than the front. It's best to find a level spot and put a level on the bed rail and see if the truck is in fact level. You would however like the trailer to be as level as possible. it doesn't have to be perfect but make it as close as you can.
I like 60 pounds in mine. I have Firestone.
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:12 PM   #8
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Wow that’s some serious weight on a 3/4 ton truck, good luck and enjoy.
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Old 08-05-2018, 01:42 PM   #9
Texan
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Agree, 3/4 ton truck is a little light for these newer 5th wheels.
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Old 08-05-2018, 03:26 PM   #10
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Agree, 3/4 ton truck is a little light for these newer 5th wheels.
...and air bags won't help carry the load.
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Old 08-05-2018, 03:29 PM   #11
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25-30 in my Firestone bags
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Old 08-05-2018, 05:30 PM   #12
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I run 20-25 in my Airlifts. While Airlift and Firestone for liability reasons warn that the airbags will not increase the load capacity of your truck, in reality, if the bags keep you from bottoming out on the snubbers, they have, in fact increased your "capacity". It does not increase your GVWC, axle load capacity, tire capacity or GCVWC. Some here will argue legality, but lets not open THAT can of worms.
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Old 08-05-2018, 05:46 PM   #13
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My son and I have two 2018 3791RD's and two 2016 F-250 SD 4x4's. We set our Air Lift air bags at 55psi.
We have no problems pulling I-40 in the Smokey Mountains as well as I-26 from Columbia SC to Johnson City TN!!!!!

FYI....We have owned these FW'S for a year and no problems!!!
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Old 08-06-2018, 11:12 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w5352 View Post
My son and I have two 2018 3791RD's and two 2016 F-250 SD 4x4's. We set our Air Lift air bags at 55psi.
We have no problems pulling I-40 in the Smokey Mountains as well as I-26 from Columbia SC to Johnson City TN!!!!!

FYI....We have owned these FW'S for a year and no problems!!!
It is my understanding that the 3160 RL Legacy is one of the smaller Montana models. One of our previous 5th wheels was a Forest River Wildwood 32RL. It's dry weight was identical to the 3160 and we towed that trailer for 15 years without any issues with two different F-250s. The first F-250 was a 1998 7.3 L diesel. The second 2005 F-250 had the infamous 6.0L diesel. I had lots of non-towing turbo issues with the 6.0L diesel, but that is a story unto itself.

D.
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Old 08-06-2018, 11:33 AM   #15
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I do know that if you tow over capacity and you end up in an accident your insurance can deny your coverage. And you can be held responsible for any damages to others. Up to and including property damage and personal injury due to negligents.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:17 PM   #16
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Park the truck on level pavement anx measure from the ground to the bottom of the bumper in the middle. THAT is your target for when you are hitched up.
Now hook up and see how far the truck drops. Apply air until the truck returns to the correct height as measured before the trailer. You're done.
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Old 08-12-2018, 02:18 PM   #17
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What is most important, a level Montana, or a level truck during towing?
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Old 08-12-2018, 03:15 PM   #18
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I do not know about any of this other stuff but we adjust our bags so the Montana and truck are as level as they can be.We like it like that.
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Old 08-12-2018, 03:20 PM   #19
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Air Bags

We have a 3160RL and our F250 has Firestone air bags. We inflate to 35psi.
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Old 08-12-2018, 05:12 PM   #20
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I have the Firestone bags with the self-leveling system. Under load, when the system levels up, the pressure is about 40 psi.
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