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Old 03-30-2013, 12:03 PM   #1
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Firestone airbags

In a previous thread 2 people said that the firestone airbags made a huge difference but didn't say why. I have a chevy 2500 and only about 1250 pounds of pin weight. So what will the airbags do for me?

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Old 03-30-2013, 02:28 PM   #2
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I just had bags added to my F250. They help a lot for my situation. But if your tongue weight is that light, i would think you'd be fine without. I'm a bit heavier then that and could feel the bump stops on some larger bumps. The bags make the 5er feel more stable. I really only notice on bumps, but haven't towed far with them yet.

Ymmv
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Old 03-30-2013, 02:57 PM   #3
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I put some on mine and like what they did for the ride. Handles bumps much better.
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Old 03-30-2013, 03:13 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by flyingfarmer View Post
In a previous thread 2 people said that the firestone airbags made a huge difference but didn't say why. I have a chevy 2500 and only about 1250 pounds of pin weight. So what will the airbags do for me?

Thanks
Dave
I have AirLift bags on my 1500 Silverado and just use them to get back the 1" I lost from the normal height. My advertised pin wt is 1075#. Don't know what the actual is and am not really concerned. Just wanted the ride height back for headlight aim should we ever tow at night which is not very likely.
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Old 03-30-2013, 03:51 PM   #5
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when my 250 was stock height, i had them on and it made a considerable difference both with the trailer (1150 tongue weight) and the gooseneck i hauled only a few times....

1. they let me level the truck so my HID's dont singe oncoming drivers retinas

2. they really take away the "swimmy" feeling the trailer sometimes had over wavy roads

3. they seemed to make the truck ride a little better even when unloaded and set to about 5psi...

the only negative i ever had was that they can affect the adjustment of a wdh if your using them in that type of situation.....the bar tension is a function of the head pitch/tilt setting....and raising the truck takes load off the bars

now that i lifted my truck, it has new blocks in the back that intefere with the bag....so im gonna have to modify them a lil (the ears on the blocks that is)
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Old 03-30-2013, 04:15 PM   #6
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How much does a pair of bags for the rear cost?
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Old 03-30-2013, 05:07 PM   #7
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I just had a set it'd airlifts installed for $600. Think that's a bit high though....
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Old 03-30-2013, 05:33 PM   #8
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I just had a set it'd airlifts installed for $600. Think that's a bit high though....
well the bags alone run 3-400 then add in labor and tax....it may be high, but not by a whole lot....

not sure if the price changes a lot based on application though?
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Old 03-30-2013, 05:38 PM   #9
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Just installed a set on my 2011 F250, $225 with my install.
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Old 03-30-2013, 05:58 PM   #10
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I spent about $650 with a continuous duty air compressor. I also use it for the bikes/atv's and if someone ahs a flat. Also have a 5 gal tank with that.

I did my own install.
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Old 03-30-2013, 06:05 PM   #11
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Just installed a set on my 2011 F250, $225 with my install.
Is that for firestone bags? ..heck I never even seen the bags alone that cheap out the Door? Let alone labor ? ...

Who/where did u get those from?

I know a lot a guy's that would jump at that price!
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Old 03-30-2013, 10:07 PM   #12
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Guess I was ripped off. Paid 1400 with in-cab adjust-on-the-fly installed by the RV dealer... I like them none the less...
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Old 04-01-2013, 02:41 PM   #13
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Guess I was ripped off. Paid 1400 with in-cab adjust-on-the-fly installed by the RV dealer... I like them none the less...
im assuming that is with an onboard compressor setup as well?....them parts aint cheap especially if they used a high end compressor....just saying
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Old 04-01-2013, 03:19 PM   #14
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How much does a pair of bags for the rear cost?
I purchased a set of air rides for my F250 for $300 and installed them myself. You can order them as just a "bolt on" kit. To have them installed is another $300.
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Old 04-01-2013, 03:42 PM   #15
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I bought my Firestones for $270 with free shipping a year ago. Doesn't matter which brand as AirLift, PacBrake or Firestones are good brands. I did stay away from the wireless compressors and went with a Viair 10007 onboard air system and absolutely love it.
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Old 04-01-2013, 04:08 PM   #16
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I bought my Firestones for $270 with free shipping a year ago. Doesn't matter which brand as AirLift, PacBrake or Firestones are good brands. I did stay away from the wireless compressors and went with a Viair 10007 onboard air system and absolutely love it.
that sounds about in line for a set of firestones..seems like the air lifts are a little cheaper.....hence why i was curious about the guy who got em for 225 INSTALLED....and hour of shop labor is like 70$ minimum??

that viair is top of the line stuff....how much more did that set ya back?...i had dual viairs on my old 88chevy that was bagged.....never once an issue with them...
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Old 04-01-2013, 04:22 PM   #17
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that sounds about in line for a set of firestones..seems like the air lifts are a little cheaper.....hence why i was curious about the guy who got em for 225 INSTALLED....and hour of shop labor is like 70$ minimum??

that viair is top of the line stuff....how much more did that set ya back?...i had dual viairs on my old 88chevy that was bagged.....never once an issue with them...
I love the Viair system. I bought it for around $350 or so a year ago and then bought the Firestone Dual Pneumatic guage and plumbed it all in so I can adjust on the fly. The guage alone was around $225 but makes the system worth the money. I did an install write up on it here http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...led-35846.html I did it all myself. Pretty fun mod!
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Old 04-01-2013, 07:03 PM   #18
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I did the same Viair setup except I did not want to run air tubing all the way up to my dash and back, so I used some electric over air solenoid valves and SPDT switch and a 12V oil presure gauge (still looking for a cool digital gauge to integrate in my dash.)

Here is the album:
Forest River Forums - Lynkage's Album: Airbag Install

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Old 04-01-2013, 07:24 PM   #19
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Air Bags

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingfarmer View Post
In a previous thread 2 people said that the firestone airbags made a huge difference but didn't say why. I have a chevy 2500 and only about 1250 pounds of pin weight. So what will the airbags do for me?

Thanks
Dave
Dave,

If you set them up that you inflate them individually it will take the body roll out of your vehicle. They are used for levelling, not to increase the Gross Vehicle Capacity of your tow vehicle.
On less than smooth driving surfaces it will enhance your ride.

I put rubber stoppers in to contact my overloads sooner to also enhance my ride.

I see Ride-Ride now has a rubber block inside their air bag that it prevents you from ever running flat in you air bag.
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Old 04-01-2013, 07:25 PM   #20
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im assuming that is with an onboard compressor setup as well?....them parts aint cheap especially if they used a high end compressor....just saying
Yes. They installed a very nice onboard compressor & cab gage setup with on-the-fly capability to two bags. We use the heck out of it. Usually 35lbs when we pull and 5 lbs. or so when unhooked.
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