Airbags?

[Rye_a]

I’d like to add airbags to my rear suspension on my Ram 2500 diesel to level my truck when I’m towing, but don’t really feel I need to be able to control them from the cab and don’t want to go through an expensive and involved installation of a full system with a permanent compressor. Any recommendations for airbags that can be inflated with an external compressor?

[1320Fastback]

Mine are T'd together and Schrader valve is under the bumper. Run them at 15 psi when empty and 60 when towing. I inflate/deflate them at the same time I do the rear tires.

[fj12ryder]

I have the Firestone bags on my 2001 Cummins dually with a 3000 lb. pin weight and have the manual schraeder valves for each side. I put in about 50 psi for traveling and let it out when not towing. I carry a lightweight 5 gallon aluminum air bubble, and it works great for adding air to the bags. Fill it to 120 psi and it's good for 4-5 fills.

Never really felt the need for the cost and complexity of the onboard compressor.

[rhagfo]

Rye_a wrote:
I’d like to add airbags to my rear suspension on my Ram 2500 diesel to level my truck when I’m towing, but don’t really feel I need to be able to control them from the cab and don’t want to go through an expensive and involved installation of a full system with a permanent compressor. Any recommendations for airbags that can be inflated with an external compressor?

Got to ask what year is your Ram 2500 and what are you towing that you need bags?
My old 2001’Ram 2500 carried 2,700# of pin from a 5er and didn’t need bags.

[BenK]

The Laws of physic's is not an Urban Legend...

[Lwiddis]

Ok, Val, I agree if you are altering tire pressure constantly. But my off-roading is very light duty.

[valhalla360]

Lwiddis wrote:
Since I always carry a bicycle pump and onboard air pumps are the weakest part of an air bag system...plus I saved some money.

I can see having onboard if you offroad and you air big balloon tires up and down multiple times in a day.

Airbags simply don't hold much air and are well within the pressure capability of a bike pump.

[Lwiddis]

Since I always carry a bicycle pump and onboard air pumps are the weakest part of an air bag system...plus I saved some money.

[Grit_dog]

Dave H M wrote:
last set of firestones I installed came with a "T" for plumbing both bags into one air up fitting which i installed adjacent to the rear license plate.

I see no need to have them filled separately and don't subscribe to that urban legend of the air transferring from one side to the other when cornering.

Two decades, two F250's, nary a problem.

Like said above, your application may not "need" bags plumbed separately, but there's nothing to subscribe to. It happens and it reduces stability if that is one's condition for adding airbags.

[Groover]

Dave H M wrote:
last set of firestones I installed came with a "T" for plumbing both bags into one air up fitting which i installed adjacent to the rear license plate.

I see no need to have them filled separately and don't subscribe to that urban legend of the air transferring from one side to the other when cornering.

Two decades, two F250's, nary a problem.

I believe that the air transferring is real but whether that is good or bad depends on the application. If you have a high CG load like a fifth wheel camper or slide-in and need stability you don't want the air moving. Likewise if you need to level the truck side to side, like if you parked on of those rigs on a side slope and need to level the truck.

On the other hand, if you don't need lateral stability having them separate will make your ride rougher, increase lateral pitching on bumps and can cause traction issues on uneven ground.

[Dave_H_M]

last set of firestones I installed came with a "T" for plumbing both bags into one air up fitting which i installed adjacent to the rear license plate.

I see no need to have them filled separately and don't subscribe to that urban legend of the air transferring from one side to the other when cornering.

Two decades, two F250's, nary a problem.

[schlep1967]

Firestones for me. Manual fill separate lines. I ran mine to the storage space under the back seat. I lift the seat and platform, take the caps off and fill or remove air twice a year. 22 lbs for summer and hauling the 5th wheel. 5 lbs for winter.

[ford_truck_guy]

my last 3 trucks all had the Airlift 5000 with the Schrader valves locked on the RV light plug and only 1 issue.. that issue was self caused and I fixed the problem..

I was looking for bags for my new truck and Airlift has not named a fitment yet so I went to Firestone Riderite with the built in compressor...

I have not towed with it yet so I cannot comment on the ease, but I am sure I will love it.

[SweetLou]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I felt the same way. I was wrong.
Someone talked me into an onboard compressor. I thank them every time I see them.

The used truck I bought from a dealer had them external tied together and uses one air valve. This last month while towing I developed a leak somewhere in the system. Try finding a station the is convenient with working air to add to your load as you travel towing. It's inconvenient and I agree with you that an onboard unit would have made that much easier.

[K-9_HANDLER]

Another vote for firestones. The same set has been on my vehicle for the past 16 years with no issues. Like the previous poster I put the fillers next to the license plate. Use the air pump on my battery jump box to fill them. It doesnt take much air.