Air bag pressure

jjgabe · 02-18-2015, 07:25 PM

I just installed Firestone airbags on my 2013 Ram 2500. I tow a Stealth 2750. I know the loaded pressure will very depending on my load but I was curious what pressure most people ran when unloaded, and loaded for that matter.

Thanks
Jason

Jerry427 · 02-18-2015, 07:39 PM

I have a 2500hd Silverado I run 10 lbs. when empty and 35lbs. when towing I have a 2015 silverback 37bh

OldCoot · 02-18-2015, 07:42 PM

I run 15# which is just enough to keep the compressor from kicking on if I hit some bumps.

BombDoc · 02-18-2015, 07:51 PM

I have a 2011 Ram 2500 and run my ride rites at 10# unloaded. Loaded, between 30 and 40#'s usually levels it right out.

ykdave · 02-18-2015, 08:51 PM

got bags in my '04, run 10# 'empty' (5psi is the minimum allowed to prevent the bag from bottoming out and being destroyed) for my day-to day use. havent played with it much with the new trailer, as i havent dragged it around for any appreciable distance, i put 40psi in them when i picked up the trailer and it didnt even level out the truck. probably get away with ~30psi in them.

trbomax · 02-18-2015, 09:06 PM

Ive had a ride right setup with compresser and tank on my sd since 2001.All original parts. I shut the compresser off and let the system down to 0 psi when I dont have the trailer hooked up.My bags dont have any cracks,splits and dont leak when inflated.

f5moab · 02-19-2015, 09:14 AM

5 psi, required minimum

Mattpopp · 02-19-2015, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f5moab

5 psi, required minimum

That is correct, Firestone recommends 5 psi when empty. Mine had a very slow leak from the switch. ran them empty most of their life when no trailer was present and never had a issue with them

searay245se · 02-20-2015, 04:14 AM

10 empty 35 with a load on.

EdJunior · 02-21-2015, 10:32 AM

Yep...5psi unloaded. I have the wireless compressor, and it only goes down to 5psi...no lower. It also keeps the bags at whatever psi I have it set to. So it will maintain the 5psi unloaded. I typically run at 45 psi on the concrete highways around Houston (and other cities...but so far Houston is the worst). Then I bring them down to either 25 or 35 psi for cruising.

glen1971 · 02-21-2015, 10:43 AM

I don't take mine above 25# anymore.. I had them close to 45# when I first put them in and took the trailer out to a local campground.. I found the set-up had alot of bounce and was definitely not as controlled as I was used to.. Down to 25# and life was good...

2015 GMC 1500 Z71
2013 26TBQB

Dakota EV · 02-21-2015, 10:45 AM

I set my air bags at 10# empty and 35# loaded for my 5th wheel. This works great for me.

jjgabe · 02-21-2015, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the inputs. I have been running with 7 around town empty. I am going out to Glamis this weekend so I will try a few pressures. Going to start out at 30 and adjust every 30 or so miles to see what feels best.

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Dan'l Boone · 02-28-2015, 08:24 PM

I just ordered the Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 bags for my F-250. Recently upgraded from a bumper pull to a 5th wheel and had a bunch of people flashing their lights at me when I pulled last trip. I didn't think it squatted that bad, but it's enough to affect my lights for sure. I think the ride will be better as well. So after reading countless forum posts here, I decided to order a set of air bags. I read somewhere that you'll never know how nice it is to own a 5th wheel unless you towed a bumper pull first. Now that I have one, I concur. I hope having air bags is a similar experience. Can't wait to get/install them, and try it out.

Jim34RL · 03-01-2015, 10:41 AM

I do not use the air pressure method until I have established a baseline on the stock truck ride height.

First put 10 LBS of air pressure in the bags; on a level roadway measure the height of the bottom of the wheel opening or top of bumper. Something that can be easily measured.

Now hook up trailer place enough air into the bags until achieve this same measurement you now have enough air pressure in the bags to ride level. See if this rides acceptable to you if not adjust either +/- 5 PSI in the bags maybe 10 PSI will do the trick. Recorded this air pressure reading and than you can reuse the air pressure that worked for you.

This has always worked for me and I still do this with every new trailer that I tow.

Salt Shaker · 03-01-2015, 11:18 AM

5 empty. 15-30 depending in road conditions. Usually around 20 is my sweet spot and 10-15 has my rig level.

I would start at a flat spot and then level make note of the pressure and adjust from there for comfort.

I would suspect (like me) you aren't going to need much with your set up.

Salt

jjgabe · 03-04-2015, 11:14 PM

I started with 30. That is where I was level. I tried 35, and 40. 35 seemed to be my sweet spot. I immediately noticed the difference. I think I need to get a longer shank though. With the truck level the trailer was now sitting slightly tongue high, I like it to be a little tongue low.

johnleann · 03-05-2015, 12:09 AM

just put airlift 5000 on my f150 in November and run em' empty unloaded and about 20 or so with trailer.
Might have to lower my draw bar head back down because as jjgabe stated I noticed that now my tongue is a bit high but the ride is great!

Kash76 · 03-16-2015, 12:06 PM

I measured the height of my TV without load and then put the tongue on and raised the truck back close to the original truck height. I use the Airlift 5000 and have 50 psi for pulling. Nobody else seems to have it that high :-/

lgray · 03-16-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kash76

I measured the height of my TV without load and then put the tongue on and raised the truck back close to the original truck height. I use the Airlift 5000 and have 50 psi for pulling. Nobody else seems to have it that high :-/

I run 45-50 when towing fifth wheel, approximatly 3,000 pin.

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