Air bags suspension

[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

[Cannon]

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

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

[Jagiven]

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.

[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.

[Cannon]

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.

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.

[Watsons]

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

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?

[TWP723]

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.

[TWP723]

[Slurugger]

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?

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.

[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.)

[White Ox]

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?

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.

[ibra0078]

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.)

Thanks good to know

[Turtle Tim]

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.

[ibra0078]

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?

[33 RLDS]

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.

[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)

[spoon059]

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)

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.

[NorCal Eagle]

I've always preferred Firestone over Airride. The Firestone bags are heavier duty IMO (and as such usually have a higher weight rating).

[BJR]

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)

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.

[Watsons]

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?