What pressure are you running in your air bags?

[cd4899]

I just put in my Firestone Air bags and Air-Lift 72000 pump today and I was curious what pressure everyone was running to give a nice ride while towing a fifth wheel? I'm towing about 13K.

[MDarrough]

My 5th is just slightly heavier, and I have a dually, but I run 35 lbs in mine just to give it a little stabilty and keep it all level.

Mark

[mowdoc]

When I had my 2011 F250 I installed the same equipment you listed, RideRites and AirLift 7200 compressor. My fiver is pin heavy and I load it even heavier. It puts over 3000 on the truck. I experimented and found 55psi worked perfect for my set-up.

It is very easy to figure out. On a flat surface, paved if possible, measure the bumper height of your truck at both ends and record this. Hook up the trailer and remeasure it. If your front went down then the rear should end up the same distance lower as the front went.

Say the front measured 20 inches and the rear was 28 when empty. After hitching the trailer it measures 18.5 at the front you would air the bags to get the rear height up to 26.5 inches. The whole truck has dropped 1.5 inches but is sitting at the same angle as before - just lower.

I used the license plate on the front and the top of the bumper in the rear as my reference points.

Do this and you will know what pressure is best for your situation. The truck will drive the same and the headlights will be aimed correctly.

My F450 only drops 1.25 inch at the rear so I have done nothing to that suspension . I did lower the headlights a little.

[thom12]

Originally Posted by mowdoc

When I had my 2011 F250 I installed the same equipment you listed, RideRites and AirLift 7200 compressor. My fiver is pin heavy and I load it even heavier. It puts over 3000 on the truck. I experimented and found 55psi worked perfect for my set-up.

It is very easy to figure out. On a flat surface, paved if possible, measure the bumper height of your truck at both ends and record this. Hook up the trailer and remeasure it. If your front went down then the rear should end up the same distance lower as the front went.

Say the front measured 20 inches and the rear was 28 when empty. After hitching the trailer it measures 18.5 at the front you would air the bags to get the rear height up to 26.5 inches. The whole truck has dropped 1.5 inches but is sitting at the same angle as before - just lower.

I used the license plate on the front and the top of the bumper in the rear as my reference points.

Do this and you will know what pressure is best for your situation. The truck will drive the same and the headlights will be aimed correctly.

My F450 only drops 1.25 inch at the rear so I have done nothing to that suspension . I did lower the headlights a little.

I run 30-32 in mine. Since I dont have any paved roads within 2 miles of my house, the way I found my sweet spot was towing my 13.5K 5'er at night and just kept jacking up the bags until the on comming traffic stopped flashing thier bright lights at me.

[cd4899]

Well I put the bags to the test yesterday and all I can say is Wow! What a difference that made. Made everything so much smoother. No more jerking on the truck from the 5er. I ended up at 45psi for most of the trip. Thx for all of the advice.