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09-02-2013, 01:31 PM
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#21
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: fort myers
Posts: 126
M.O.C. #5896
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Firestone does not recommend that you lift the vehicle by the axel. This could over extend the bags and cause a failure. You should see the look of suprise when having tires rotated at a tire store.
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09-02-2013, 02:58 PM
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#22
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lykens
Posts: 545
M.O.C. #11842
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by richard66
Firestone does not recommend that you lift the vehicle by the axel. This could over extend the bags and cause a failure. You should see the look of suprise when having tires rotated at a tire store.
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I would think you mean not to lift it by the body. That is the only way you could overextend the airbags as they bolt to the axle and to the body. If lifting by the axle you only maintain the compression of the airspring.
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09-02-2013, 03:40 PM
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#23
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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Had mine installed in 05, never thought about the way it was lifted for service and have yet to have an issue. I run at 5lbs unloaded and 25lbs with the Monty (granted i've only towed it once). Previous 5th wheel was set to the same pressure. With the Lance camper on I run them at 50lbs and it weighs over 4000lbs. I also have Timbers (or the like can't remember brand as it was a long time ago) but those were installed for the Lance in the event one of the bags failed. My previous 5th wheel frame cracked above the basement but I blame that on the Mexican highway I was on and not the bags. Pot holes the size of Honda Civics tend to break things.
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09-03-2013, 06:06 AM
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#24
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Poughquag
Posts: 127
M.O.C. #13192
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Thanks for all the good info. Still waiting for the end of this month to get the Monty attached and try them out. We have a 1,800 mile trip planned and will finally get to see how they work.
Again thanks again for all the good info.........
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09-03-2013, 08:44 AM
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#25
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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A interesting thread. I am trying to decide should I go the air bag route or Blistein's
My problem is with my 3150RL hooked up I like about 1"-1 1/2" before I am on my overload spring. When I come off a bridge or on some roads the truck will cycle up and down several times like there is not enough shock. I am sure it is dropping to pick up the overload where it then launches back up. i have a bit of rub marks on the overload spring.
It really feels like lack of shock control. I do not have a over load or rear sitting to low, so I really question if I need air bags.
My rear truck axle weighs 6700lbs when hooked up, and not on the overloads.
When stopping at a intersection I also get a up and down motion from the front axle, which again makes me believe the stock shocks are junk. Truck has about 6,000miles on it.
Thanks Jim
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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09-03-2013, 09:16 AM
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#26
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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With the fiver hitched up, I lost almost all the clearace between the rear upper spring bumper pads and frame and would evenually destroy the pads similiar to the drop what you are describing.. The air bags eliminated that. With the bags inflated there is basically no drop. Re lifting the truck, my booklet indicates that it is recommended to lift by the axle, but that a frame lift can be done but first totally deflat the bags.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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09-03-2013, 05:30 PM
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#27
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: billings
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #12853
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jlb27537 when we first got the Monte we didn't have the air bags on the truck. It wasn't bad riding but it wasn't smooth either. We drove around 4500 miles with it this way. Finally put airbags on the truck. It definitely helped with the ride. It also helped to level the truck out. I run 50 lbs with the Monte and 10 lbs without. I don't know how to describe it but the ride feels different. We don't get the bounce anymore like you describe. We like the ride quality with the bags. We were touching the overload spring but not all the way down. I would think in your situation it would dampen out the oscillations.
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09-03-2013, 07:48 PM
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#28
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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Was trying to remember the component I added to the suspension in addition to the Firestone bags, Torklift Stable Loads not timbrens, they force contact with the overload spring. Makes the suspension stiffer and stops that bucking when you hit a bump and the overloads are engaged then disengaged if the load isn't quite heavy enough. Also adds a couple inches when loaded. Probably the reason I only run 20lbs in the bags.
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09-07-2013, 03:28 AM
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#29
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: purvis
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #13723
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John,
What hitch do you use? I would like to add a set to my 3500. I use a B&W and was wondering if there were any issues when installing the air bags
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09-07-2013, 04:10 AM
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#30
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Friendship, Maine
Posts: 483
M.O.C. #6338
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Without the air bags my overloads would slap on every bump when hitched up. I took my overload spring off and put the air bags on. Now ride is smooth. Run less then 5lbs empty, 20-25lbs loaded.
__________________
2012 Big Sky 3400, now an SOB 5th wheel
2007 Montana 3075 previously
2015 GMC 3500 Dually
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09-07-2013, 06:24 AM
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#31
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Poughquag
Posts: 127
M.O.C. #13192
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hybridhauler I have a Reese 20K hitch with a Mor ride pin box.
It looks like you have the same Truck as I have. I still have yet to tow with the air bags. That will happen in couple of weeks. I don't kow about you but the ride was not good. That's what made me add the air bags. I hope they help. If you have any other questions you can PM me.
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09-07-2013, 06:33 PM
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#32
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: kingston
Posts: 73
M.O.C. #12000
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Where is the most economical place to purchase firestone airbags? I need to install them on my 2012 F250.
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by johncamtravel
hybridhauler I have a Reese 20K hitch with a Mor ride pin box.
It looks like you have the same Truck as I have. I still have yet to tow with the air bags. That will happen in couple of weeks. I don't kow about you but the ride was not good. That's what made me add the air bags. I hope they help. If you have any other questions you can PM me.
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09-07-2013, 07:03 PM
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#33
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: purvis
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #13723
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Bandit
The best price I found was at autoanything. They were 20% off plus free shipping. My out the door price was $270.00
http://www.autoanything.com/suspensi...A4899A0A0.aspx
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09-07-2013, 07:09 PM
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#34
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: purvis
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #13723
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John
When I would hook up to my Blue Ridge, the 3500 would only settle about 1-2 inches. The 3750FL has about 300 lbs more pin weight than the BR. It may not be an issue but I want to be prepared for our trip to Tennessee on the 30th.
The 3750 will be delivered on the 11th, I get home from Singapore on the 19th so I imagine by the 23rd, I will be giving it a test pull to see how it all works out
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09-11-2013, 02:34 AM
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#35
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vermontville
Posts: 1,129
M.O.C. #9045
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See a lot of positives on the Firestone Airbags but after having them installed on my rig my ride is terrible with 5lbs without rig and anything more than that with the rig on makes it almost unbearable to use. Not satisfied with mine. Maybe the person that installed them didn't do it right, but looking under there all looks well. Anybody have a clue what may be going on?
One more thing I have the Air Lift compressor that is also on the rig.
Dave
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09-13-2013, 12:41 PM
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#36
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Champ_49
See a lot of positives on the Firestone Airbags but after having them installed on my rig my ride is terrible with 5lbs without rig and anything more than that with the rig on makes it almost unbearable to use. Not satisfied with mine. Maybe the person that installed them didn't do it right, but looking under there all looks well. Anybody have a clue what may be going on?
One more thing I have the Air Lift compressor that is also on the rig.
Dave
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With just 5 pounds in the bags, there should be no difference in the ride. How are your shocks? That would be the first place I'd look.
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09-13-2013, 02:17 PM
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#37
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Friendship, Maine
Posts: 483
M.O.C. #6338
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Try it with no air.
Check out how your springs engage empty and at 5lbs. Any difference?
__________________
2012 Big Sky 3400, now an SOB 5th wheel
2007 Montana 3075 previously
2015 GMC 3500 Dually
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09-27-2013, 02:30 AM
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#38
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Poughquag
Posts: 127
M.O.C. #13192
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Up date: Been on the road pulling with the new air bags.
What a difference. I have 50#s of air in them and
they make a big difference in the ride and handling.
If I knew they were this great I would have installed
Them a long time ago. Thanks for all the replies and
help....
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09-28-2013, 02:22 AM
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#39
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vermontville
Posts: 1,129
M.O.C. #9045
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Tom, they are brand new shocks. In fact the 2nd set in the last yr. as I didn't like the 1st set. 2nd set helped a bunch.
Chip, the Air Lift compressor will not allow me to go below 5 lbs that's why it's at 5. Actually it's not that bad a ride without trailer but better without. I just can't get a good ride when I add air to the bags.
I put these on not for the ride but more for the leveling purpose. My ride was great prior to the install of the bags. But to level which I am only maybe a couple inches down anyway makes it a difficult ride. But now with this new hitch it has gotten a bunch better.
Dave
Dave
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09-28-2013, 05:14 PM
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#40
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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My 2002 2500HD GMC had Airlift air bags. It greatly improved the ride of that truck and it would not let the bags drop below 5#. I had a compressor under the hood with autofill if it fell below 5#. I ran at 50# with the Montana.
Recently, I pulled the 5ver 70 miles round trip with my new 2013 GMC 3500 (that does not have air bags). Hitched up my overloads did not touch and I ran over some pretty rough roads. I actually liked the ride better w/o the air bags as it felt firmer and less "bouncy". Real test will come in two weeks when we head to FL on our semi annual trip of 1,400 miles. I will know after that if I want airbags.
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