Firestone Riderite Airbags

[hatstomper]

Originally Posted by hatstomper

Hello all. I'm new to this along with being a new RVer. I have a question that I hope someone can help with. (This is only the first of many I'm sure) Anyway, we have ordered a 2011 Rockwood 8280WS 5th-Wheel with a Reese sidewinder hitch and are going to pull it with our 2008 GMC 2500HD Duramax, 6' 6" box. The dry hitch weigh is shy of 1200lbs and I'm wondering if it would be worth the $700 to put Firestone riderite airbags on the back of the truck?

So now that they are on the truck. What I'm I looking for as far as PSI. Right now with the truck mt I can feel the diff. and the have 9lbs in them.. I realize there are many variables but what does everyone "normally" run them at when loaded???

[cheese53073]

measure your front and rear truck height unloaded then run enough air into them to restore a level ride. This may or may not be the same height as unloaded depending upon how your WD hitch loads your suspension.
say for example there is a 1" differential between the front and rear. After hitching up add enough air to return to near this differential. once this is done test drive and adjust as needed.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I purchased the Firestone kit without the compressor, installed myself for around $260.00. I use a cigarette lighter air compressor to fill when needed. They are pretty easy to install, if you can pour water out of a boot, you can install them!!!!!!!!!

When not towing my 8285WS, I bleed down to 5 PSI, when towing I inflate to 45-55 Lbs. Sure does improve the ride and levels the TV to the 5 ver.

I failed to see where in Canada you live, but a side trip to the US for a purchase is not out of the picture ????

[cheese53073]

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

When not towing my 8285WS, I bleed down to 5 PSI, when towing I inflate to 45-55 Lbs.

You should check your owners info, mine says minimum pressure of 10 psi is needed.

[wingriders]

Originally Posted by cheese53073

You should check your owners info, mine says minimum pressure of 10 psi is needed.

What brand name of air bags do you have?

I installed Firestone bags on my truck last week and I just checked my manual says a minimum of 5 PSI

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by hatstomper

So now that they are on the truck. What I'm I looking for as far as PSI. Right now with the truck mt I can feel the diff. and the have 9lbs in them.. I realize there are many variables but what does everyone "normally" run them at when loaded???

With the 5er hooked up, I run around 50-55 psi. That seems to put the truck back to level and it handles and pulls really well. That is also what my dealer recommended. He pulls a Raptor toy hauler with his F250 and he said he runs about 50-60 psi. I don't know what everyone else does, but I hitch up with mine deflated to about 2-3 psi, then inflate them after I hitch the trailer. Before unhitching, I deflate them back to 2-3 psi so the truck doesn't suddenly pop up when I drive out from under the kingpin.

[dezolen]

Should not need any additional air susp with that trailer and low pin weight. I pull a much heavier 5th wheel and have no need at all

[cheese53073]

Originally Posted by wingriders

What brand name of air bags do you have?

I installed Firestone bags on my truck last week and I just checked my manual says a minimum of 5 PSI

Ride Rites, Just put em on last Sunday. Must be the difference in TV. Mine are on a 1st generation Durango

[M109Rrider]

Honestly I've never checked the pressure with the trailer hooked up. Best ride so far is 30psi before the trailer is hooked up.

[Bocephus]

minimum on my firestones is 5 psi

with my 33' toy hauler i am around 10500-11500 lbs loaded up. 45 lbs in my bags yields the best ride/handling (with a half ton pickup). i have my pickup leveled, so the front end sits the same height as the rear when unloaded......and with the 45 lbs in the bags my rear is almost back up to level with the front. if i bump up the pressure to around 55 lbs i am totally level......but i start to sacrifice ride quality and notice a harsh, choppy ride.