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Old 04-19-2010, 02:31 PM   #1
sola123
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Air bag pressure

Have Firestone airbags on our F250...how much pressure do others use in their bags when you tow..we have a 3665RE...I know the max is near 100 lbs...I started at 35 lbs to get it home...
 
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Old 04-19-2010, 02:40 PM   #2
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I have a GMC 2500 HD towing a 2010 3150 with a king pin weight of 2244. I'm doing some trials myself, and originally I tried 40 lbs in the Firestone air bags, and then yesterday I put in 50 lbs and I found the ride pretty smooth. I may try 60 lbs next and see if it makes a noticable difference. I'm also interested in hearing what others use.
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Old 04-19-2010, 02:43 PM   #3
8.1al
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For starters when you are hooking up measure your rear bumper height before lowering your trailer and after lowering on your truck add enough air to bring the truck back up to where it was. You may find a little more or less will improve your ride
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Old 04-19-2010, 04:04 PM   #4
PapaBeav
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

For starters when you are hooking up measure your rear bumper height before lowering your trailer and after lowering on your truck add enough air to bring the truck back up to where it was. You may find a little more or less will improve your ride
This is how I did it and it takes 35psi before I hook up to get back to level. Every rig will be different.
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Old 04-19-2010, 04:11 PM   #5
Wild Horse
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I ran 30 lbs. on my dodge 3500 dually hauling the 3650 for the first time. The ride is quite nice.
Bill
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Old 04-19-2010, 04:25 PM   #6
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I started at 55 lbs and over the last 3 yeaqrs have been playing with the pressure to have the best ride, handling, etc. Finally settled on 30lbs unloaded which is 45 loaded. Every rig will be different and thats a true are certain fact.
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Old 04-20-2010, 12:54 AM   #7
ols1932
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I use 50 psi in the bags before hooking up to the rig. I don't know what the final psi is.

Orv
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Old 04-20-2010, 01:18 AM   #8
steves
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I guess every setup is slightly different but I tow with about 30# in my air bags. I also, have a compressor to adjust my Rancho shocks and usually put them (scale of 1- 10 settings) at 5. except for the most harsh roads, I get a very smooth tow and no chucking.

On Edit....the 30# is before I put the rig on.... when I have the rig attached the # goes up to about 45 -50#
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Old 04-20-2010, 02:36 AM   #9
kdeiss
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30PSI 2500HD 2955RL works for us
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Old 04-20-2010, 12:08 PM   #10
ALAN
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At the rally in Goshen last year, the MOR ryde rep told me that the pressure is not as important as ensuring the truck and trailer are level with each other. He suggested you hook up, find a level spot and step back from your rig and look at the whole setup. You do not want the connection with the rig to either sag or be raised. Adjust your air pressure until level is obtained.

Alan
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Old 04-20-2010, 05:27 PM   #11
jackel1959
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I have been using 27-30 lbs. before loading the rig onto the truck. Pin weight 2580 lbs. Keeps the truck and trailer level in relation to each other and the ride is very good.
Jack
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Old 04-20-2010, 06:12 PM   #12
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My installer told me to put in enough pressure to 'level it up'.... takes about 90 PSI on my rig (about 60 w/o the 5'r)..
we have a 3/4 T D'Max, pulling a 09 340RLQ Big Sky!... ride is quite nice and the bags got rid of almost all of the 'jerking on a cement piece of HiWay.
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Old 04-21-2010, 02:21 AM   #13
tim43
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I fill mine to 10 pounds and the rig is fine with that pressure after I hook up.
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Old 04-22-2010, 04:24 PM   #14
Clyde n Deb
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Are the Firestone bags a pure "bolt on" install on a 2500HD GMC/Chevy, or is drilling and removing the rear wheels required?

Thanks!
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Old 04-23-2010, 02:24 AM   #15
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On my Dodge, the airlifts were a simple bolt on. Took me 1 hour, but then I had air tools to help. The top bracket replaces the jouncer, bolt holes lined up nicely. Ubolts on bottom simple wrap axle.
Took longer to install air lines than air bags.

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Old 04-23-2010, 05:38 AM   #16
jackel1959
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Same on our 2002 Ford as "Wild Horse's" install...simple bolt on.
Here is a link to the Firestone site: Firestone where you can put in your info and it will show the kits for you vehicle and if they are "No Drill". I did a "quick-look" and all kits for yours are "No Drill".

Also, here is a link to the website where I bought ours: Truckspring.com. In the upper left corner you can put in your vehicle information to get the specific kit needed.

You will need to make sure you get the kit that is specific to having a 5th Wheel Hitch. If you have any questions about which one to order, I'm sure a quick phone call to either of the two places listed above can answer them.
I hope this helps.
Jack
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Old 04-23-2010, 06:16 AM   #17
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Thanks for the input. Just reconfirming what I had checked out before. I wanted some feedback on the difficulty of install. I have placed an order from Truckspring. They have free shipping and are less expensive than anything I saw elsewhere. BTW the applications that are different because of a fifth wheel hitch install are Fords only; I double checked. Thanks again.
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Old 04-27-2010, 11:41 AM   #18
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As pointed out in some of the posts the pressure is different when hooked and when not hooked up. With my 3075 I find that 25 psi when hooked up will result in a level trailer. I usually put in 15 psi before hooking up and then adjust when connected if needed to get the RV level.
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Old 05-12-2010, 02:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jackel1959
Also, here is a link to the website where I bought ours: Truckspring.com. In the upper left corner you can put in your vehicle information to get the specific kit needed.
Picked up a set of Firestone Air Springs from Truck Spring. Took me about 3 hours, because I had to go get a 1 1/8" deep well socket. With the Monty hooked up, 25 lbs to level the load... man what a difference in the ride.

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Old 05-16-2010, 05:53 PM   #20
Clyde n Deb
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How much "leak down" do you experience with the Firestones?

I have them installed................having some leakage issues.

I have found air coming out of one fitting at times........however will leak down to zero one time and holdup for a day and a half again later on with no pressure drop????.
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