Air springs

[Ramboy]

The pin weight on my trailer is such that, over time, partially compressed the springs on my dually so I bought some of the Firestone air bags and installed them. The bags will hold up to 100# pressure each. Each pound of air will support 40# of weight so the bags are capable of supporting 4,000#. At 70#, my trailer is completely supported by the bags. The springs are not even being used. My question is, how should these bags be set up? Should I put all the weight on the springs and then add air till the truck is level or what? I am wondering how others use theirs.

Phil

 

[Bhale]

Yes, add air till the truck rides level or slightly higher, what ever feels good to you. I typically run mine with 80-90 lbs for highway driving. This lets the helper springs that came with the DC camper package just touch the rear stops so the truck/camper combo doesn't sway as much. On side roads i'll change the pressure, usually up to 100 lbs, when the speed limit is 40mph or less as i like the added "softness" of the ride. Did you get the in-cab controller? Try different settings for different road and wind conditions till you find something you like.



Brian

 

[Ramboy]

BHale

No, I didn't get the in-cab controller. I have a small tankless AC compressor that I carry in my trailer. I figure when I stop in the evening out on the road, I can play with different pressures till I find what I like.

 

[Bhale]

If i may make a suggestion... .



If you don't have or plan to purchase the in-cab controller, run 2 airlines into the cab and mount 2 pressure gauges to them. I've found that from time to time, for no reason, one of the airbags will slowly leak. Before i had the controller i thought something was wrong with my shocks or tires or something as the truck would gradually start to ride funny. After the controller install i discovered this slow leak. Even though i've checked for leaks several times, i can't find it and it's not always the same bag that's leaking.



It's also interesting to watch the needles jump around on bumpy roads...



Brian

 

[Ramboy]

Thanks, Brian. I'll consider making that my next project.

 

[tgbol]

I haven't installed them on my truck yet, but I have air bags on my Cherokee. I have an on board air compressor, small tank and an auto level control from an IHC truck. It will automaticly level what ever load I put in it. When the family gets out and walks away you can hear it hissing as it is letting out air. People that have walked by tell me I have a tire leaking.

 

[Desperado]

Who has the lowest price on the air bags? I have been thinking of putting a set on my 95 3/4 ton for when I haul the camper and pull the boat.

 

[Whitmore]

Gents

I have no experience with airbags but I would have thought that they would be tied in common to one fill connection, this would allow the pressure to be the same on both bags ... ... ... teach me ... ... ... ... ... Kevin

 

[tgbol]

Whitmore

You can set them up either way. A single fill will equalize between the bags. A double fill you can balance out an uneven load. If you are racing your truck, maybe a double fill to pre-load one side of the truck. So you can take your pick. When I put mine on I am going to use 2 auto valves to keep it set front to rear and side to side.

 

[Ramboy]

I got these from www.summitracing.com for less than $200.

 

[GLASMITHS]

Ramboy

Theres something that is not considered here, and that is the heigth of the rear of the truck from stock. It is common to belittle DC (and rightly so), however, the correct heigth is stock heigth; and the reason for that is the driveline angle. It should be kept the same as stock-empty.



I have Airlifts, 5000#, in the instructions it talked about this and suggested before starting to measure the distance from the bottom of the fender over the tire to the center of hubcap and always inflate to this level, regardless of load. Mine is 24", a 99 is probably the same.



This also applies to the GV. But seems to be more critical.



Hope this helps.

 

[Ramboy]

Glasmith,

I'm glad you posted that measurement of 24". Since my springs had compressed, I had no idea what stock height was short of going to dealer and measuring a new truck. I also believe the driveshaft angle change is what causes a lot of pinion seals(mine included) to wear out. I can now measure mine and set it up to the 24" height. Thanks.

 

[GLASMITHS]

Bed Heigth

Ramboy:



I'm sure your would be the same as mine; but other should check and make sure there hasn't been some changes in later year modlels. When I replaced the GV in May I purchased a cheap protracter at Sears to make sure about the driveline angles.



Your comment was interesting. A looooong time ago I lowered the rear of a '41 Ford (my first car) and an old mech told me that was the worst thing to do for the rear end - sure enough it went out.

 

[Dkevdog]

I have the airlifts (camping world had them on sale all summer) and am glad to see that stock hieght is about the same for me to. 23. 75"- pretty dang close to 24. With the bags, if I run them more than about 5-10psi empty, I can actually lift the truck higher than stock, by about 1. 5 inches. I have found the easiest way to level the load is with an onboard air supply and solenoid valves. The solenoids that come with the Airlift kit are pretty cheap. I installed Sirai valves and they are bulletproof. I can level from inside the cab easily. I only wish I had kept the bags seperate instead of tying them together. There are times when it would be nice to level an uneven load. Hauling around the fiver is not a problem with a single fill though.



Kev

 

[Slow Six]

Air Bags

I have had the Firestone Ride Rites on my 94 2500 4x4 for over 8 years with a lot of heavy towing on a lot of rough roads. So far they have not given me any problems. I found that after I had them for a week that I needed the in cab control kit as I am constantly changing the pressure for varying loads. I run them at 80 psi with my fiver on. The truck stays close to level and handles very well even in strong winds. Also the instructions that came with the bags said that it is normal for the bags to permeate a small amount of air thus requiring a refill from time to time. The on board compressor is also convenient as an air source. My kit came with an air fitting to use an airline on.

 

[GLASMITHS]

Dkevdog

Sounds close to mine. About 6psi without load. I've never wanted the onboard bit. I carry a pancake compressor and a 4K generator so air is no problem.