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01-26-2009, 09:50 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Aztec
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #9063
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accurate air gauge for airbags
I never even thought of it. Yesterday afternoon DS and I put a set of Firestone airbags on the pickup. Aired them up to 70lbs., checked for leaks, then was going to drop the pressure to 5-10lbs. Discovered my pickup air gauge only goes down to 20 lbs. which is a little stiff for riding empty. I checked Autozone today, but they weren't really much help on an accurate air pressure gauge for low pressures. What do you all use?
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01-26-2009, 10:13 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Merlin
Posts: 668
M.O.C. #7368
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Bob, I had mine installed, also added the compressor, tank, and separate gage/fill/empty sw for each side. The gage they installed allows good (not great) reading from 5-100#. I figured being able to adjust the pressure while rolling might be beneficial. I have used it a couple of times to get a better ride on some washboard roads.
Bob
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01-26-2009, 02:25 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bonita Springs
Posts: 1,943
M.O.C. #6977
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i have a battery gauge by Craftsman and it goes down to 1 lb as i had the same question as mine when i am not towing are at 7 lbs and then towing are at 25 lbs .. works great for us as i never change it. sailer
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01-26-2009, 02:32 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,167
M.O.C. #6433
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You should be able to pick up a low pressure air gauge at a store that sells ATVs or other equipment that uses low pressure tires. May be able to find one at an auto parts store. I think gauges for those are for scaled in the 1-20 or 1-30 lb range so you may need one for the low pressure (5 lb) and another for the higher pressures (>20 lb). I have one somewhere but cannot find it.
If you can't find one, google low pressure air gauge.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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01-26-2009, 03:15 PM
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#5
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Aztec
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #9063
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You all are great. I never would have thought of an ATV type shop, but it makes perfect sense. I will probably pick up a couple of diff. types of gauges, and run them against what I have to try and achieve consistancy if not accuracy. May have to use lunch time to run over to Sears also. Thanks.
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01-26-2009, 04:36 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oak Harbor
Posts: 1,530
M.O.C. #2471
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This is a nice gauge, not to pricey and has the pressure range needed for the air bags, the tow vehicle and the rig tires: Accutire I use one and have been very happy with it.
Jack
__________________
Previous:2004 Mountaineer 325FKBS,2010 Montana 3455SA Now:2018 Bighorn 3575EL (SOB's ) Res. Fridge,W/D,Disc Brakes,Water Softener,Dish Tailgater PRO,LioN Batts, several mods.
2021 RAM 3500 Laramie.... "LOADED", 4x4, SB H.O. 6.7L, Aisin Trans, PullRite Super Glide Hitch, 52 Gallon Titan Fuel Tank.
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01-27-2009, 12:30 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Belvidere
Posts: 1,834
M.O.C. #185
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Until I installed gauges in the cab, I used a digital read out gauge which displayed air pressure down to 1#. In fact this gauge would show pressure in .5 increments through out it's entire range. This gauge proved to be very accurate.
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01-27-2009, 10:33 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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I know there are a lot of people who lower the air pressure in their air bags when not towing but I find that it's just extra work. Maybe I have a little rougher riding vehicle, but after all it's a truck, not a limo. Even Marge doesn't mind the rough ride--she enjoys driving it.
Orv
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01-29-2009, 03:42 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: anywhere
Posts: 912
M.O.C. #6260
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Orv, she sure wouldn't want to ride or drive my TV with the airbags filled and not towing. Feels like there in no suspension and will jar your eye teeth loose. It's worth the extra effort to deflate them.
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02-02-2009, 03:46 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: merced
Posts: 983
M.O.C. #6171
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My DW never complains but I can't stand the rough ride and it only take a minute or two to air them up. I only air them down if I'll be in one place for more than a couple of days.
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02-08-2009, 05:07 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Snohomish
Posts: 579
M.O.C. #5583
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I use two slider gauges. One for the air bags and one for the RV & TV tires. I don't recall now where I purchased the low pressure gauge. Might have been NAPA or another auto parts store. I've not had trouble finding them. I haven't been terribly concerned about absolute accuracy as much as repeatability for the air bags so they were inflated equally. A good digital that would allow usage for both applications would be of interest. I'm going to check out the Accutire digital gauge, previously mentioned, since it appears to fit the criteria of accuracy, repeatability and range needed for the air bags and tires all in one unit.
I deflate the airbags to 5 lbs or so when the TV is going to run empty for a few days. I carry a 10 gallon air tank with me, inflated to 120 PSI for the occasional refills required. Didn't want to pay for or install an on-board compressor. I've not experienced the need to change pressures on the road once I learned the sweet spot air pressure for our particular setup.
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02-12-2009, 05:19 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
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Bob go to a ATV shop and get a gage from them ATV use low pressure in there off road tires I have one it goes up to 15 or 20 lbs it works great for those low pressure readings.
TT2
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
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