Firestone Air Bags

[navybanker]

Installed air bags about one year ago. Had to add air last fall before September trip. Today had to add more air before trip this week. Installer checked with soapy water and said no leaks. He said they will leak down over time. That is from 25 lbs to about 10 since September. Usually try to keep 25 to 30 lbs in them. What do you guys say??? I only check before trips but may have to more often to see if there is real leak.

[richfaa]

That is not unusual. We have had the bags for years and they do lose air over time. We just checked ours yesterday preparing for our trip back home from our winter stay. The bags had set since November 2016 at 20PSI and they were down to 15/13 psi. I set them at 30psi for travel.

[PackerFan]

Sounds about normal to me. Used to have to do the same with my air bags when I had them on my previous truck.

[1retired06]

Normal, check mine once a month.

[WeBeFulltime]

I have to be curious about why you keep 25-30 psi in them when not towing. I have the AirLift bags and they recommend 5-10 psi when not towing. I also have the AirLift on-board air which automatically keeps the minimum amount in the bags for me. Does't 25-30 psi make your truck ride harsher?

[timandsusan]

I keep 10-15 PSI in my air bags. Easy to do and check with my bike pump--I ride 2-3 times a week and just check them every other month. I don't find the ride that rough--or maybe the streets in San Antonio are not that smooth!

[phillyg]

I keep the recommended 5psi in except when towing the FW, which requires 35-40psi for my application.

[The Bone]

You could put a air pressure gauge in the cab. That would make it easier to check the pressure. I added the on board compressor to my truck. It sure is nice to be able to inflate the bags from the cab. I do however still have the air valve on the bumper just in case the pump goes bad. I usually run 10 pounds unloaded and 60 when pulling my camper.

[maximo]

I keep air at 25 lbs only when pulling and 10 lbs when not pulling. When I forget to lower the pressure to 10 lbs the ride in the back seat is real rough.

Frank

[JABURKHOLDER]

My last truck had AirLift 5000 bags. Kept them at 5psi when not towing and 50psi when towing. Did not have a bleed down problem. Current truck has Timbrens. No more air worries. The ride, unloaded, is as comfortable as a dually can be. Loaded, there is minimal squat and the ride smooths out.


NOT trying to turn this thread into an air vs Timbrens discussion. Since I've had both systems, just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

[kozzy]

sounds normal. you will lose a little here and there. I have the air lift system, and keep mine at 5 psi. Want to solve the issue? Install a compressor. I bought the wireless one from air lift with my bags. Was a very easy install, I mounted mine to to the spare tire winch carrier, so the spare itself protects it. Every few days when I start the truck, it kicks on. If the pressure is not maintained, it will fill them to what you have it set at. Works great, and the install was a snap. I didn't have to run anything inside my cab, this model comes with a wireless remote, like a garage door opener, to inflate and deflate, and has memory settings. I have 2, one for 90 for when I tow the Monty, and one for 5 PSI, when im not, touch a button and presto. Only wire that had to be run was from the manifold to the battery All comes in the kit, took me about 3 hours to install the bags and the compressor.

[PeteMorris]

That air loss is normal. Also consider ambient temps in Sept. vs March, that will play into the loss.