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Old 03-27-2010, 02:09 AM   #1
Wild Horse
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Air Lift vs. Firestone

I'm going to pick up air bags today, along with the prodigy and a few other items. Was wondering if anyone had an opinion on air lift vs. firestone airbags. They look pretty much the same, but the air lifts are 50 bucks less. I can get the firestone's for like 270. Thanks. Bill

 
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Old 03-27-2010, 02:38 AM   #2
steves
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Not familiar with air lift bags but I do have the Firestone air bags and they are a quality product in both installation and dependability.
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Old 03-27-2010, 03:16 AM   #3
indy roadrunner
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Look real close and you may find the actual air bag on AirLift is made by Firestone.
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Old 03-27-2010, 04:12 AM   #4
8.1al
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We have been using Airlift bags and compressor for 5 years now with no problems
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Old 03-27-2010, 04:54 AM   #5
Wild Horse
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Thanks for the input. I just called, they have both in stock. Headed there a little later and will phsyically compare the two.
Bill

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Old 03-27-2010, 06:30 AM   #6
8e3k0
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Just wondering why you would need air bags on a one ton dually? Do you have overlaods with your spring packs? Unless you carry excessive loads on the truck other than your Monty, air bags can result in a very rough ride, when inflated.
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Old 03-27-2010, 06:59 AM   #7
exav8tr
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I had the AirLifts on my 2500 that I had installed by CW along with the underdash gauge and underbody compressor. I liked being able to air up and down from the drivers seat. Did cost about $800 total installed. Now that I have the 3500 I see no real need for them, although I was told at the Truckers School in Alaska that air bags keep you from bottoming out when on uneven terrain and that would be the only need for them in a bigger truck. I thought they were a quality product. Can't speak about the Firestones although they have been around forever....
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Old 03-27-2010, 07:57 AM   #8
tim43
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I have AirLift bags and have had no problems. Air them up to about 12 pounds when towing the Monty. About 8 when not.
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Old 03-27-2010, 07:57 AM   #9
TLightning
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8e3k0

Just wondering why you would need air bags on a one ton dually? .
My question also.
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Old 03-27-2010, 10:32 AM   #10
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by TLightning

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8e3k0

Just wondering why you would need air bags on a one ton dually? .
My question also.
Two reasons: level the truck when the trailer is on and help smooth the ride. It's not that the truck suspension won't handle the weight, but air bags let you bring the truck back to level ride height.
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Old 03-27-2010, 03:51 PM   #11
8e3k0
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Normally the back end is higher on the trucks when empty. Mine settles in at about 1 to 1 1/4 inches and just starts to touch on the overloads. Truck is still very level and that is with 55 gallons of auxillary fuel, the Monty's basement full and all the gear that we use when living in the unit for 3 months.
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Old 03-27-2010, 04:29 PM   #12
ole dude
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How about if you pull your rig around a bit and then decide if you really need air bags or the additional lift.
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Old 03-28-2010, 01:08 AM   #13
Wild Horse
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It's not just for the monty, altho' for me that would be reason enough. I also have been known to haul heavier loads...on my old one, I had air bags on it and it improved the ride/leveling more than enough to warrant such a reasonable expense....I just don't remember the brand I had. I compared the airlifts to the firestones yesterday...ended up with the airlifts. I didn't see much difference, and saved 50 bucks which went towards the prodigy.
Thanks again !
Bill

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Old 03-28-2010, 02:44 PM   #14
hookman
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Why use airbags. When you hook up to your Monty you are putting Around 1700 to 2000 lbs. over your rear axle. The trucks are set up on the lights for no load and also your weight is suppose to be spread between the front and rear axle not all on the rear. By leveling the truck you also shift some of that weight forward.
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Old 03-28-2010, 04:01 PM   #15
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I installed AirLift on my old Ford to get the lights out of the sky when I had the monty connected.
All I can say if you install them yourself read the instructions and follow them if you cheat and skip a section you will be reinstalling then again from the part that you skiped, the angle of the mount on the frame to the bag when connected to the axelis very inportant.
ask me, I know from experance, I skiped asection because I was in a rush, and I thought it was right ,but I was off a bunch on the right angle, but it was a easy fix.
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Old 03-28-2010, 04:37 PM   #16
Art-n-Marge
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I tried to get the AirRide first at CW but they couldn't fit them with my 5er hitch. CW gave me a number to another place that sold Firestone Ride-Rites so that's what I got with an onboard compressor and digital controller.

For us it was a huge difference but with only a 3/4 ton Ford with SRW, they were needed. Fixed the headlights, the ride, the shuddering (when taking off from a stop and sagging too much) and the ride aspect. I can't complain, even when one of the solenoids to inflate one side failed. A call to Firestone and they overnighted a new solenoid and a spare one too. No problems since.
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Old 03-30-2010, 08:15 AM   #17
PSFORD99
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8e3k0

Normally the back end is higher on the trucks when empty. Mine settles in at about 1 to 1 1/4 inches and just starts to touch on the overloads. Truck is still very level and that is with 55 gallons of auxillary fuel, the Monty's basement full and all the gear that we use when living in the unit for 3 months.
The reason I put them on is I hated the look of the 1 ton SRW or dually riding nose down, so I put a leveling kit in the front, now I use the air bags to level me when towing.
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