Air Bags

[RC and Samantha]

Does anybody have the airlift suspension bags on a Chevy 2500HD with a Superglide hitch? Dick is concerned how they will connect? Even better anyone with photos?

I thought Glenn had them but I am not sure? So even though this is a holiday weekend is there anyone around with this combination?

Patty

[Glenn and Lorraine]

First of all, Where have you 2 been?? Haven't seen ya in months.

Anyway, yes I do have the Firestone AirBags and I love them. I did mount my own and they don't come any where near the hitches frame brackets. The air bags mount between the frame and the axle. If you look you will find a big rubber thingy, I think it's called a snubber. You will remove that snubber and the air bags take it's place. They also say they can be self installed in just a couple hours BUT NOT when you are as big as I am It took me 4 hours. Also I found it is not necessary to remove the tires as you will be working under the truck the entire time and the tires were not in the way. Just place the jack under the rear end yolk, chock the front tires and jack'er up. It really should be a cake walk for Dick.
No I did not go for the optional air compressor, which adds I think a couple hundred dollars to the price, as I already have a compressor in the Monty. I inflate when I hook up and unless I am staying for weeks at a time I do not deflate the bags.
Also found the best prices on the Internet but for the life of me I don't remember who I got them from.

[RC and Samantha]

thanks for the info glenn, have been thinking about them for a long time. probably going to go ahead and give them a try, thanks again.

dick

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Got a photo...

[RC and Samantha]

thanks for the pic glenn one other question, do you notice any difference in the ride when not towing?

dick

[sreigle]

Patty, as Glenn said, it makes no difference what hitch. The airbag brackets are designed for each vehicle. We have them on our Ford F250.

As for ride, Glenn can speak for GM but it's likely the same as for my Ford. I see no change in ride when solo. However, the manual says to keep 5 psi in the airbags when not towing so they don't get damaged if the suspension should bottom out. With the suspension on these trucks I see no way I'd ever bottom it out when solo so I run the bags down to zero and have done so for years and many miles without a bag problem. If I run 5 psi in the bags it does ride slighly more firm.

[RC and Samantha]

PATTY? Hey steve, I know I have long hair but do you think I type like patty ,cant understand with three whole posts you'd, think I'm patty, just kidding around. Thanks for the info on the airbags,been thinking about them for some time, we need to do something, the old 2002 leaf springs are getting a little tired. Thanks again.

Dick

[Ozzie]

I found them for $235 delivered on EBay...

No idea what Firestone would want for them installed, but this seems to be a good price.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by Ozzie

I found them for $235 delivered on EBay...

No idea what Firestone would want for them installed, but this seems to be a good price.

I paid $250 installed by CW in Oregon 3 years ago.

Orv

[sreigle]

Oops, sorry, Dick! I thought your fingers had never seen a computer!

(by the way, Patty's better lookin')

[gj4040]

Dealers around these parts want $299.00 plus $185.00 installation plus 9.25% Tennessee sales tax which brings the total to around $530.00. I just purchased the Firestones for $265.00, including shipping, on the internet (bags are slightly more that the standard $233.00 internet price for the 05 Ford F-250) and installed them myself. Now I'm trying to figure out how much air to put in them.

[sreigle]

Dick, the onboard compressor with incab controls/gauge is not cheap but I've had it on two trucks and swear by it. It's not just a convenience item to initially fill and deflate the bags. When on the road and the pavement changes and we start getting some chucking action or just a rougher ride I can reach down and adjust the air in the bags. That improves the ride. It will not make it glass smooth but it will sure make it noticeably more comfortable.

Gary, just put 5 or so psi in the bags initially, drop the pin on the hitch and pull up the landing gear, then add air until the truck is level to your satisfaction. Check the pressure when you remove the fifthwheel so you know in the future how much air to put in the bags prior to hitching up. Or, if you prefer, measure the pressure after dropping the pin on the hitch and lifting the landing gear so you know how much air to put in the bags after hitching. I always found it easier (lifting less weight) to air up the bags before putting the pinweight on the hitch so I air my airbags prior to hitching up.

[Steve and Brenda]

The AirLift bags are designed as NO DRILL devices on most model trucks.



The controller fits in a Chevy truck cubby hole just fine.

[k0nsa]

I just had the Superglide hitch and Firestone Airbags installed this week on my '06 2500HD and everything fit fine. Hope these photos help...


http://members.cox.net/nsahq/Supergl...e%20mounts.jpg
http://members.cox.net/nsahq/Firesto...gs%20mount.jpg
http://members.cox.net/nsahq/Hitch%2...wing%20pin.jpg
http://members.cox.net/nsahq/Supergl...ruck%20Bed.jpg

[Montana Sky]

Dick,
I am glad you started this thread! I too have been tossing the idea of airbags on the truck, looking at a few options and a heavier kingpin might be in the near future. Good to hear from you again...