Air bags/on board compressor

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by lightsout

That is possible with the Firestone however with Airlift systems they use these quick connect fittings since they are one time use if one leaks and the entire system is connected you have to replace all lines and fittings, there is no patch.

I already have to replace one of my lines Airlift dent me new lines (at no cost) fortunately I did not have the pump system that would have required all lines replace. The reason for that is the pump on has a single output then the two lines meed outside the pump so you have to replace all.

With the non pump system I can replace a single like in about 10 minutes it would take a lot longer to replace the lines on a pump system. Also note that Airlift has two pump option one that requires the pump to be in the cab of the truck (non IP rated) and the other that mounts under the bed outside, that is an expensive over priced pump seeing that it only controls the bags.

Since it only takes me 2-3 minutes to fill my gas manually I could not justify the value or potential headache of future maintenance.

Everything has a potential headache. I have run Airlift ,and Firestone air bags with Airlift compressors for both brands of Airbags.Both trucks had the quick connect, disconnect fittings, had a couple leak, apparently did not cut the air lines square enough , disconnected recut ,and connected back up .So totally lost on what you are talking about

Lets talk about onboard compressors ,yes I went a year before I installed one , that was enough for me, you can have that manual fill. I gladly paid to have onboard air for the airbags. First truck had the gauge, and switch inside the cab, not bad had air pressure at a glance, but not even comparable to the Airlift remote 72000 compressor setup , automatically maintains set air pressure , programable , and be changed on the fly, and have done so to improve the ride on certain road conditions, the list goes on . Yes I repeat you can have that manual inflate ,and deflate ,been there done that .

I have had onboard air ,and air bags now for nearly 20 years on two different trucks without a problem . Your assessment of the air lines , connections etc is something that is a bit baffling .

Both installation were done by me, and there was nothing to it . The Airlift remote setup was a breeze, no air lines or electrical needed to be ran inside the cab.

[laverdur]

I have AirLift bags on my TV with an onboard compressor and self-leveling sensor. I wired the compressor to one upfitter switch and the dump valve to another upfitter switch. When I hook up the compressor kicks in and levels the TV. As soon as I get on the road I activate the dump valve to bleed a little air out to improve ride comfort. Installation of these air bags on a Ford Super Duty requires removal of the OEM bump stop that is attached to the frame above the axle. AirLift offers two types of air bags: The basic one that requires 5 psi of air to prevent damage to the air bag because the bump stop is missing or a slightly more expensive one that has a built in bump stop. I opted for the more expensive one. As an option, when I installed the air lines, I included a Schrader valve in the wheel well so that if the onboard compressor fails, I can still inflate the bags with my portable, 12 volt compressor.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by laverdur

I have AirLift bags on my TV with an onboard compressor and self-leveling sensor. I...

How does that self level sensor work?

[CaptDane]

Originally Posted by rvman

I have the Air Lift bags with the on board compressor and the wireless key fob remote. Did the install myself. If you have some mechanical ability and some experience wiring 12V, should be DIY. The Air Lift systems will maintain 5lbs minimum in the bags to protect them from damage. You can choose a preset pressure that you put into the remote so once you have your ride "dialed in" it will be a one button push to be ready to roll. I went a little more custom and mounted the compressor in the underfloor storage compartment in the back seat and the pressure valve under the truck on the frame. Manual fill override is in one of the rear license plate lugs. Only a front plate needed in MO.

I did the same but mounted the pressure pump along the frame as advised. Works great. Very pleases. Also bought kit from same place.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by laverdur

I have AirLift bags on my TV with an onboard compressor and self-leveling sensor. I wired the compressor to one upfitter switch and the dump valve to another upfitter switch. When I hook up the compressor kicks in and levels the TV. As soon as I get on the road I activate the dump valve to bleed a little air out to improve ride comfort. Installation of these air bags on a Ford Super Duty requires removal of the OEM bump stop that is attached to the frame above the axle. AirLift offers two types of air bags: The basic one that requires 5 psi of air to prevent damage to the air bag because the bump stop is missing or a slightly more expensive one that has a built in bump stop. I opted for the more expensive one. As an option, when I installed the air lines, I included a Schrader valve in the wheel well so that if the onboard compressor fails, I can still inflate the bags with my portable, 12 volt compressor.

I too have the bump stop Airlift bags. I nearly went to the automatic level up, just decided against it . If I remember its just a device mounted underneath that gets pushed ,and adds air until it levels again or something like that ? I like the complete control on air pressure , it appears you do too, so more or less that kind of defeats the purpose of a automatic system. I also ran two air lines with two of those valves coming out the license plate mounting holes to inflate or deflate manually, if something goes wrong with the compressor, pretty convenient there.

[laverdur]

For CADman KS -A two-part magnetic switch is attached to the frame of the TV directly above the axle. Then a bracket with a very strong magnet is attached to the axle. When the TV is level, the magnet is centered on the switch and nothing happens. When the TV is loaded the frame moves down and the upper switch is closed and the compressor kicks in (after 30 second delay to prevent false activation). When the load is removed from the TV, the air bags push the frame upward and the magnet aligns with the lower switch to close it and bleed air from the bags. It is sensitive enough that if one 120 lb person gets into or out of the TV, the system will level the TV. Newer self-leveling systems have key fob remotes. That might be nice but what I have has been working perfectly for years.

[laverdur]

For PSFORD99 - Great minds think alike.

[gordo]

Originally Posted by rvman

I have the Air Lift bags with the on board compressor and the wireless key fob remote. Did the install myself. If you have some mechanical ability and some experience wiring 12V, should be DIY. The Air Lift systems will maintain 5lbs minimum in the bags to protect them from damage. You can choose a preset pressure that you put into the remote so once you have your ride "dialed in" it will be a one button push to be ready to roll. I went a little more custom and mounted the compressor in the underfloor storage compartment in the back seat and the pressure valve under the truck on the frame. Manual fill override is in one of the rear license plate lugs. Only a front plate needed in MO.

I second this. I have had Air Lifts since 2004. 2 separate trucks. On board compressor is the way to go...

[McRod]

I have the AirLift 7500XL with onboard controller on my Ram 3500 DRW.

Link is here