dpgerson
Pacifica, CA.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/07/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
Hi Guys, it's been years since I posted on here because oh, well, to make a long story short my girlfriend insisted on a fifth wheel which we purchased. The hardware needed for the fifth wheel in my f350 managed to puncture one of my airbags that I had installed when I bought the truck to hold my alpenlite 12 and 1/2 foot Cheyenne. I want to go out on the road again, but I don't want to have the airbag fixed yet. I will have it fixed and probably have the 5th wheel Hardware removed, but for now I just want to get going.
So here's my question. Do I run the risk of damaging anything if I run with the airbags deflated? Is there any other reason not to go out with the airbags deflated?
2004 Alpenlite Sante Fe 11.5 with slideout
2006 F350 V10 with camper package and air bags
|
ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
Senior Member
Joined: 03/22/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
There are some that have an internal jounce that will prevent airbag damage when running while deflated.
If you do not have internal jounce, the bags could be damaged when the suspension bottoms out onto the collapsed bags.
Most will state that the minimum psi is 5#
Joe
** edited for improper spelling, grammar, and anything else wrong ! ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
* This post was
edited 02/09/21 12:54pm by ford truck guy *
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet
|
srschang
Western NY
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I'm on my 4th set of Firestone airbags, I installed new airbags each time I bought a new truck for the last 15 years. I've always run them with zero pressure when I didn't have the truck camper loaded, and never had a problem. But I only keep my trucks for 3-4 years, so I don't know about long term damage.
Scott
2022 Ram 3500 Dually Crewcab Longbed Cummins, 2019 Northstar 12 STC
|
Moving-on
mobile
New Member
Joined: 02/08/2021
View Profile
Offline
|
Just as an aside to that. I bought airlift brand airbags for this issue. Their marketing leads you to believe that their bags can be run flat. HOWEVER, the manual still recommended 5psi, even with the internal jounce guard. I was going to add the wireless one compressor to remedy this, before someone broke in and stole it.
|
dpgerson
Pacifica, CA.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/07/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Guys I don't care about the airbags. One of them is already damaged. Eventually I'll get them replaced and have the 5th wheel Hardware removed. I'm wondering if it can damage either the truck or the camper.
|
|
|
2oldman
NM
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
ford truck guy wrote:There are some that have an internal joust that will prevent airbag damage when running while deflated.
Joe Joist?
|
ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
Senior Member
Joined: 03/22/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Jounce.... I was close.. you got the idea
HERE - airlift with Internal jounce
|
2oldman
NM
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
jounce... ah ok. Learned a new word.
|
slider45
GA
Full Member
Joined: 06/13/2017
View Profile
Offline
|
Interesting features of the "jounce" tech.
|
billtex
RI
Senior Member
Joined: 07/20/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Assuming the rest of your OE suspension is still in place you should be good to go.
That 5th wheel “hardware” did you a favor.
Air bags suck for hauling TC’s.
2020 F350 CC LB
Eagle Cap 850
25'Airstream Excella
"Good People Drink Good Beer"-Hunter S Thompson
|
|
|
