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06-18-2018, 07:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ottawa
Posts: 190
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Air bags suspension
Looking in getting some air bags for my F150 2017. Wondering what did you guys go with? How difficult is it to Install, where did you guys mount the fittings to pump air Into the bags?
Would I be able to use a Union tee to pump both air bags at once? Just not sure how the pressure guage reading would work when both bags are connected to the tee.
Thanks
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06-18-2018, 07:54 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Palmetto
Posts: 1,057
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ibra0078
Looking in getting some air bags for my F150 2017. Wondering what did you guys go with? How difficult is it to Install, where did you guys mount the fittings to pump air Into the bags?
Would I be able to use a Union tee to pump both air bags at once? Just not sure how the pressure guage reading would work when both bags are connected to the tee.
Thanks
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I use Air Lift easy to install and lifetime warranty. You can use tee and both bags pump up to same pressure. I ran mine out thru the bottom tag hole
__________________
2017 Jayco 377rlbh (sold)
2021 Grand Design 351MR
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06-18-2018, 08:34 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,778
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I installed Firestones, with a a tee. I installed the Schrader valve, on the same bracket that holds my 7 pin connector.
Start to finish I would guess 2 hours, including all prep and cleanup.
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06-18-2018, 08:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,806
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A tee fitting will work fine and allow both bags to be pressurized to the same PSI. The pressure gauge will read the pressure of both bags, which will be the same.
The question that I have is why do you feel you need air bags? If you need bags, it is usually because your suspension isn't sufficient for the weight. If the suspension isn't sufficient for the weight, its because your truck is too small. Air bags won't solve that problem, but simply change the weakest link to something else.
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06-18-2018, 09:12 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Palmetto
Posts: 1,057
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon059
A tee fitting will work fine and allow both bags to be pressurized to the same PSI. The pressure gauge will read the pressure of both bags, which will be the same.
The question that I have is why do you feel you need air bags? If you need bags, it is usually because your suspension isn't sufficient for the weight. If the suspension isn't sufficient for the weight, its because your truck is too small. Air bags won't solve that problem, but simply change the weakest link to something else.
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That's not always true. I use a F350 dually and it squats around 2 in. maybe little more. Airbags allow you to level it back up. Fords seem to squat more than some other brands.
__________________
2017 Jayco 377rlbh (sold)
2021 Grand Design 351MR
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06-19-2018, 06:45 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Eckville
Posts: 155
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ibra0078
Would I be able to use a Union tee to pump both air bags at once? Just not sure how the pressure guage reading would work when both bags are connected to the tee.
Thanks
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I might be over thinking this but if tee'd together wouldn't the air just transfer to the bag without the weight when weight is shifted (as when going around a corner) instead of doing its job keeping the truck level?
__________________
2015 F350 DRW King Ranch
B&W Turnover Ball and 20K Companion
2017 Eagle 339FLQS
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06-19-2018, 07:25 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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I have front and rear Air Lift bags. The biggest PIA was getting the old bump stops off while laying on your back in the garage. I have dual ports due to other hauling reasons.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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06-19-2018, 07:26 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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06-19-2018, 07:35 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: STL
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watsons
I might be over thinking this but if tee'd together wouldn't the air just transfer to the bag without the weight when weight is shifted (as when going around a corner) instead of doing its job keeping the truck level?
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This is what I was told when they installed my Firestone bags, not sure if it's true though. I find it very easy to inflate each bag to the same pressure.
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06-19-2018, 07:36 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: ON
Posts: 831
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You should go over to http://f150forum.com and check out the towing/hauling section. There are many opinions to read about (air bags, sumo springs, timbrens, etc.)
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2015 Jayco WhiteHawk 28BHKS Summit Edition
2021 Ford F-150, 4x4, 3.5L Ecoboost, Max Tow
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06-19-2018, 07:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: East Lyme
Posts: 168
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watsons
I might be over thinking this but if tee'd together wouldn't the air just transfer to the bag without the weight when weight is shifted (as when going around a corner) instead of doing its job keeping the truck level?
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This is 100% true from an engineering standpoint. As the weight transfers to the side of the vehicle on the outside of the curve, it compresses the airbag on that side, and in turn, pushes air over to the other airbag - which is already being extended due to the weight transfer and wants to receive that air.
So, you can tee them together to make it SUPER easy to apply the same pressure to both sides, but do yourself a favor and install an isolation valve between them so that once aired up, you can close it and they will function as independent systems.
__________________
2017 Eagle HT 26.5 BHS 5th Wheel
2014 F-350 Lariat 6.7 CC SB SW
B&W Turnover Ball
AUH #3220
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06-19-2018, 03:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ottawa
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quantum
You should go over to http://f150forum.com and check out the towing/hauling section. There are many opinions to read about (air bags, sumo springs, timbrens, etc.)
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Thanks good to know
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06-19-2018, 09:25 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: keizer
Posts: 142
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I had my bags plumbed into a single shrader valve on my F250, and had no issues with sway pulling my trailer.
Installing bags on my new F350 this weekend, and plan on plumbing to a single shrader again.
__________________
2016 355W Seismic
2017 Ford F350 6.7L Lariat
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06-20-2018, 03:52 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ottawa
Posts: 190
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What rating did people get 2000lbs or 5000lbs? Firestone I can get them from Amazon located in Canada rating of 5000lbs. Amazon only has the 2000lbs of airlift. Why would one get a rating of 5000lbs if the payload of an f150 is around 1700-1800, am I missing something?
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06-20-2018, 05:09 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CENTRAL NEW YORK
Posts: 984
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I have Firestone air bags in my 2500 Avalanche. Not because the truck cant handle the weight but because it smooths the ride. It creates less movement on uneven roads. I also have a single tee to adjust pressure for both bags.
__________________
2013 33 RLDS
2004 Chevy Avalanche 2500 8.1
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2
2016 CTS 4 2.0T
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0
2015 Chrysler 200C AWD
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06-22-2018, 04:52 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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PLEASE DO NOT use T fittings when you install air bags.. when you go around a corner and the vehicle leans to one side the air in that bag is forced out to the bag on the unloaded side. This is not a good situation. Each bag should have its own inflator.. As for where to get bags I am very happy with the kit I got from Hellwig Spring. Call Nancy at 500-367-5480 for superior service. (no I have nothing to do with the company or get anything for this endorsement)
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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06-22-2018, 05:00 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
PLEASE DO NOT use T fittings when you install air bags.. when you go around a corner and the vehicle leans to one side the air in that bag is forced out to the bag on the unloaded side. This is not a good situation. Each bag should have its own inflator.. As for where to get bags I am very happy with the kit I got from Hellwig Spring. Call Nancy at 500-367-5480 for superior service. (no I have nothing to do with the company or get anything for this endorsement)
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If you are driving in such a manner that you have to worry about air transfer and becoming unloaded, you shouldn't be hauling enough weight that you require air bags. If you are hauling enough weight to need air bags to support the weight, you should drive slower around corners.
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06-22-2018, 06:29 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Concord, CA
Posts: 302
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I've always preferred Firestone over Airride. The Firestone bags are heavier duty IMO (and as such usually have a higher weight rating).
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Wanda - 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2516s
Trooper - 2016 F250 Lariat CCSB 6.7L Power Stroke, 3.5" lift, Titan 60gal, Airlift 7500XL, Bedrug & ARE Z-series topper
Gone but not forgotten:
Harvey – *SOLD* 2018 Eagle HT TT 314BHDS
Big D - 2002 F250 XLT CCSB 7.3L Power Stroke (semi-retired)
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06-23-2018, 04:59 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Bethlehem
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
PLEASE DO NOT use T fittings when you install air bags.. when you go around a corner and the vehicle leans to one side the air in that bag is forced out to the bag on the unloaded side. This is not a good situation. Each bag should have its own inflator.. As for where to get bags I am very happy with the kit I got from Hellwig Spring. Call Nancy at 500-367-5480 for superior service. (no I have nothing to do with the company or get anything for this endorsement)
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I would have to think that little 1/4" line would take some time to transfer all that air. The volume is too much. Just thinking out loud.
Of course with the T you can't account for uneven loads.
__________________
2016 Jay Flight SLX 287BHSW
2018 Silverado 2500
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06-23-2018, 09:51 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Eckville
Posts: 155
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Either way you look at this.., the transfer of air from one to the other makes the low side bag virtually useless when cornering or on uneven surface where the trailer sways from side to side.
They would function well when hitting frost heaves and expansion joints straight on but any kind of weight shifting due to cornering or pot holes is defeating the purpose of the airbags.
We once had an old Kenworth with a picker on it that had a bad check valve or something wrong with it that enabled the air to leave the bag when cornering and we called it the rollover simulator. Scary!
How hard is it to put a shot of air in both bags?
__________________
2015 F350 DRW King Ranch
B&W Turnover Ball and 20K Companion
2017 Eagle 339FLQS
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