Air bags - Montana Owners Club

bob · 10-01-2006, 12:56 PM

Hello I have a 2004 HD chevy 2500 4x4 would be pulling a 2007 3075 monty would installing Firestone ride rite air bags be a good thing or not

Glenn and Lorraine · 10-01-2006, 01:02 PM

Good Thing for sure!! I have them on my 05 GMC 2500HD 4X4 pulling a 2955RL and love them. Takes out the squat and can now drive at night without blinding oncoming traffic while on low beam.

Ozz · 10-01-2006, 01:52 PM

I got 'em as well, and, what Glenn said.

LonnieB · 10-01-2006, 02:41 PM

Me too, both counts, different truck though.

Montana Sky · 10-01-2006, 04:25 PM

Will be adding them to my truck next spring. My headlights at night are just high enough that low vehicles tend to flash me all night.

txkrumm · 10-01-2006, 04:49 PM

LonnieB,
Nice Pics!

AZCampinfool · 10-01-2006, 05:23 PM

I just installed Firestone Ride rites on my truck because I didn't like the ride with my Timbrens. I also installed the onboard compressor. Although the compressor isn't necessary, it sure is nice. I want my RV experience to be as easy as possible....plus I'm lazy....

The onboard system is really convenient since you can increase or decrease the pressure right in the cab whether you are moving or not. I can just glance down and see exactly what pressure the bags have in them at all times. I haven't actually towed with the bags yet since I just put them in yesterday but I have already noticed a positive difference in the unloaded ride when hitting large dips or bumps in the road. The bags seem to give a softer "bump" over irregular road surfaces than the Timbrens did. Does that make sense? Anyway if you get the compressor it will almost double your overall cost and install time but so far I am happy with them. The real test comes in a few weeks when I hook up the fiver.

LonnieB · 10-01-2006, 05:34 PM

Thanks txkrumm, I think everything left of the guy on the right looks pretty good too.

On Edit - Yours looks pretty good too, I forgot my manners for a second.

jsnip42 · 10-02-2006, 02:40 AM

What kind of stores sell the air bags? Sounds like something I need.

LonnieB · 10-02-2006, 03:53 AM

Most auto parts stores sell them, some tire stores, and truck accessory shops. I sell and install the Air Lift brand. If you buy from an auto parts store, installation is left to you. It's not difficult, depending on whether it's mounted inboard of the springs, or on the springs. The inboard style requires just a few hand tools and clamp on with u-bolts. Some of the outboard mounts,depending on fifth wheel hitch mount on frame, may require some frame drilling, and/or some modification to the mounting brackets.

ols1932 · 10-02-2006, 05:04 AM

I had them installed by Camping World on my F-250 three years ago and have been very happy that I did. Wish I'd had it done long before.

Orv

sreigle · 10-08-2006, 03:56 PM

I've been using the airbags for several years. I like keeping things level. I also have the onboard compressor. That is also useful to smooth out the ride on rough concrete (or other) pavement when towing. Like Azcampingfool, I like the convenience of the onboard compressor and the comfort it affords in the ride.

Steve and Brenda · 10-15-2006, 04:43 AM

Does anyone have pictures of where they placed the indicator/controls inside their truck cabs - especially for a GMC vehicle? Why reinvent the wheel

sreigle · 10-15-2006, 04:37 PM

Steve, I can't help you with the GM placement. On my Ford, it was a bit tough finding a location. The Ford has a removable panel below the steering wheel for access to fuses and other things. Next to that is the drivers side glovebox. Next to that is the radio/climate control/brake controller stack. So mine had to go to the right of all of that, on the bottom lip of the dash. I can reach it while driving but have to lean over to do so. I can still see to drive but it's a reach.

Steve and Brenda · 10-19-2006, 10:10 AM

Steve, thanks for the reply. The GM products have a little cubby hole right under the radio head unit in the 2006 model year (think it used to be for passenger airbag disable in earlier models) and I'd love to use that hole for the switches and indicator as I'm one to have things look OEM as much as possible. Then again I can always have a cover plate machined here to fit the cubby and hardware. What is th size of the indicator - about the size of a silver dollar?.

sreigle · 10-20-2006, 12:17 PM

Mine looks to be a standard 2 inch gauge with switch next to it. There's a picture at this site. Scroll down.
http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index...d/15970649.cfm

Montana Sky · 10-20-2006, 02:31 PM

Steve,
Thanks for the link... I have been looking at doing the same thing and could not picture how it would look or work!

Steve and Brenda · 10-22-2006, 12:37 PM

After some more research I've a bigger problem considering the Firestone bags versus the Air Lift product lines. Firestones have a small reserve tank which would be great to top off air pressure in the TV and TT tires, the Air Lift has a controller that monitors and adds air as needed so the conrtroller is digital versus the pneumatic on the Firestone. Price being no object its starting to look like the top-of-the-line Air Lift beats the equivalent Firestone.

sreigle · 10-22-2006, 03:00 PM

I don't think my Firestone has a reserve tank. It does have a compressor and the switch next the gauge operates the compressor. However, it's a manual process to push the switch. Having an automatic setup that maintains a given pressure sounds good, assuming it is easy to adjust on the fly by changing the setting it will maintain. I adjust pressure when we get onto those roads that cause the chucking motions. Changing air pressure can often moderate those motions considerably.

I don't know anything about Air Lift. I just looked at their website and it is impressive. I do have a question, though. If I read your post correctly it sounds like you set the pressure you want on the digital gauge and it will maintain that pressure. That shouldn't really be necessary unless there is a leak. Or maybe you dial a number and it airs it automatically to that amount? I couldn't find that on the website. All I saw was that it automatically maintains 6 psi so that the bags won't be hurt if the suspension bottoms out. Did I misread your post or did I miss it on the website?

The Air Lifts sound good. Does anyone have experience with them?

LonnieB · 10-22-2006, 03:15 PM

Steve, I sell them, ( Air-Lift ) install them, and have them on my own tv. As far as I'm concerned, they are the best available. I don't however, have any knowledge of an automatic system that monitors air pressure and maintains it at any certain level. I will check into it tomorrow.

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