Firestone Ride Rite bags

[jtisdale]

Can anyone tell me how much the bags lift an empty truck? I assume the 5psi that you run when empty is pretty much stock ride height? How much do they lift the back when inflated?

Thanks, Jim

 

[YFZBOB]

The recommended 5 psi protects the Bags from bottoming out. Installation requires the Bump-Stops to be removed. There's no additional lift on an empty truck. My 5th wheel weighs in at 2200 lbs at the Pin-Box. I need to run 60 psi in the Bags to level my truck, and keep the headlights pointed correctly.



But... I do need to watch the rear of the truck when pulling out from under the trailer. It will raise up 4" with 60 psi. Been close hitting the trailer.

 

[jtisdale]

OK, I think I got it. Sorry I wasnt very clear with my question. So they dont lift the truck at 5psi, but with 60 psi (or so) they will raise it ~4"? I know they arent meant as a lift kit because running an empty truck with >5 or 10 psi in the bags would beat a guy to death going down the road, correct?

Thanks, Jim

 

[YFZBOB]

I have the 8' Box (Longer Wheelbase). Empty, I'll run 10 psi. in the Air Bags, and 40, 45 psi in the tires. Ride isn't bad at all. Fully inflate tire at 80 psi beats my Kidneys up and shakes the truck apart. :-laf

 

[dieselshu]

Jim,

I run 5-7psi in my bags all the time and the ride is fine. I have bilstein 5100's x 4 and d25's on the front. If you add air you will see the ride change and the bags increase in height(I have never measured how much just visual check). I have never added more than 60psi to them but at that pressure an unloaded truck will put your kidneys where your ears are.



Dave

 

[brista]

Can anyone tell me how much the bags lift an empty truck? I assume the 5psi that you run when empty is pretty much stock ride height? How much do they lift the back when inflated?

Thanks, Jim

You shouldn't lift the truck past stock height at all as they are helper springs. 5 psi empty and when I load it heavy I end up with about 50 psi in them to bring it back to normal ride height or close to it.

 

[NoSeeUm]

OK, I think I got it. Sorry I wasnt very clear with my question. So they dont lift the truck at 5psi, but with 60 psi (or so) they will raise it ~4"? I know they arent meant as a lift kit because running an empty truck with >5 or 10 psi in the bags would beat a guy to death going down the road, correct?

Thanks, Jim

Yeah, your kidneys will be doomed.



Jim

 

[jtisdale]

Yeah, I know they are not meant for a lift kit. And, I have read about the rough ride if you pump them up and drive around . However I wanted to know how much they will lift an empty truck with no trailer on, or anything in the bed. At 5-10psi it doesnt increase EMPTY ride height, right?? Throw the air to them and as the bags inflate, they raise the back of the empty truck about 3-4" higher than stock, is this mostly true??

Maybe this would be easier... how much squat do they take out? Sorry about the dumb questions, but please humor me?

Thanks Jim

 

[brista]

At 5-10psi it doesnt increase EMPTY ride height, right??

That is correct.

Throw the air to them and as the bags inflate, they raise the back of the empty truck about 3-4" higher than stock, is this mostly true??

They probably would, althought I've not tried that.

Maybe this would be easier... how much squat do they take out? Sorry about the dumb questions, but please humor me?

Thanks Jim

They will take out the 3-4" of suspension sag when you are loaded heavy. You can bring it back to stock ride height.

 

[PToombs]

What about putting these on with a leveling valve from a big rig? I was thinking of doing this on my truck. I would like to keep the rear about level empty, then the valve would keep it level with the trailer loaded or empty. Think this would work? Opinions are appreciated!

 

[brista]

Sure a leveling valve would work, as long as you had some sort of constant air supply.

 

[SMorneau]

firestone used to offer a leveling valve. I don't know how much they would lift and empty truck but I doubt they would lift if 4". I think the bag would reach its max extension before that. But if you had the mounts very close together, maybe too close, they might.



I know they will easily take out 3" of drop after I put my camper on.

 

[YFZBOB]

I'm thinking of adding a 3 gallon air tank. Plum the Air Bags with Big Rig Level valve. (Have one right here) Tie in the Exhaust brake and use the exhaust brake Air compressor to fill the tanks.



Back to the main question. When I don't have 60 psi in the bags with the trailer connected. It will squat my truck at least 3" Right down to the helper springs. It takes 60 psi to level the truck. Before I added Air Bags, Sudden stops were pretty interesting. Now the truck handles 100% better in ride and handling my high profile RV in high winds.

 

[EHoman]

I'm an RV hotshot... last week I was killing time in Tx and I had been wondering about height increase while empty so I filled my bags to 80 psi and the heighth adjustment was very minimal at best. These bags are made to take the sag out... which they do well... I pull some of the heaviest 5th wheels out there (Weekend Warrior... Travel Supreme... Teton) and wouldn't live without them. I run 10 psi empty 5 psi in snow and ice and makes for a much better than stock ride. You can get an auto leveling system for these not sure on the price tho.

 

[BGlidewell]

Part of the install is to pressurize the bags to 70# and check for leaks by leaving it (parked) for a while. I was silly enough to drive mine empty this way just to see how it rode. The back end was so active it would bounce the truck into the next lane on bumps. The rear end was sticking up a good bit but I never measured the hight. Air bags are the cats meow for heavy loads in the box including pin weight on a hitch.

 

[JanMitchell]

Rough rider

I have a 3500 dually and my wife says the ride is too rough when we unhitch the 5th wheel. Are the air bags sold by Camping World worth the money and how in the world can they improve the ride if you still have the springs working? I was told to replace the shocks with Bilsteins and that would help in addition to reducing the air pressure to around 45 pounds.

Any thoughts?

Stan (not a chick)

2005 QC Dually

 

[socal610]

I have the firestone bags and my truck sits 2inches higher empty with 5psi in the bags and about 4inches with 50psi in the bags I think I will be swapping them out for a set of these http://www.activesuspension.ca/index.aspwhen they become available

 

[Regcabguy]

Firestone Airbags.

Sean Lorenz supplied a 2. 25 Sway-A-Way setup for my '07 reg. cab. 2500. I deflated the airbags and lost maybe 1" in height in the rear with his mini-paks. I keep them at 40psi,mainly for sway control for the Northstar popup which weighs 2000# and lives 24/7 on my truck's back. Gotta love that queen sized bed at the end 'o the day.

 

[Regcabguy]

Shocks

By all means,ditch the stock shocks and replace with at least the Bilstein 5100's. If anyone is interested in a set of '07 stock shocks,p. m. me.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have the firestone bags and my truck sits 2inches higher empty with 5psi in the bags and about 4inches with 50psi in the bags I think I will be swapping them out for a set of these http://www.activesuspension.ca/index.aspwhen they become available

I broke the roadmaster active suspension on my 94. Not sure I would use them again



Bob