Timbren SES
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield, CA
Firestone Ride Rites installed!!!
As I mentioned in my post above, got my Firestone air bags installed - and very happy I might add.
The most difficult part of the install was removing the mounting bracket for the fifth wheel hitch which I also described earlier. The Pullrite mounting bracket on the drivers had to be removed to get to and remove the 3/8 inch bolt used to attach the DEF tank to the side of the truck frame. Man, the main 3/4 inch bolts used on the fifth wheel bracket was extremely tight. Took some time just removing this bolt.
I put 20 lbs in each bag and drove around awhile. I placed the air bag fill valves on either side of the rear license plates. Fiirestone says the pressure range is 5 to 100 lbs. At 20 lbs it raised the bed somewhat and the ride was fine. Without the air bags m;y fiver brought the bed down nearly 3 inches; the ride seemed okay however. My goal was to bring the bed back to level with the trailer attached. I'll know more next week when we take the 35' trailer on a six hour trip to Death Valley for the annual 49'ers Encampment.
The most difficult part of the install was removing the mounting bracket for the fifth wheel hitch which I also described earlier. The Pullrite mounting bracket on the drivers had to be removed to get to and remove the 3/8 inch bolt used to attach the DEF tank to the side of the truck frame. Man, the main 3/4 inch bolts used on the fifth wheel bracket was extremely tight. Took some time just removing this bolt.
I put 20 lbs in each bag and drove around awhile. I placed the air bag fill valves on either side of the rear license plates. Fiirestone says the pressure range is 5 to 100 lbs. At 20 lbs it raised the bed somewhat and the ride was fine. Without the air bags m;y fiver brought the bed down nearly 3 inches; the ride seemed okay however. My goal was to bring the bed back to level with the trailer attached. I'll know more next week when we take the 35' trailer on a six hour trip to Death Valley for the annual 49'ers Encampment.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 188
Good point..I haven't heard of anyone complaining about it yet but who knows. I will be trying a set of Timbrems for Truck Campers. I just don't have the time to install air bags before my annual vacation coming up..If I don't like them they said I can return them. I have always used bags..they did the trick..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 188
I installed the Timbrems today and with the camper in the truck bed (Lance slide in truck camper) the overload springs are contactng the rubber frame mounted points. With my 08 the Airbags didn't allow the helper springs to contact. I had the bags set so the helpers were 1 in away from contact. This is how my camper dealer told me to do it. I can't see how I could add StableLoads either with the overloads contacted I would think the Stable Loads would press down too much.
So I prefer air bags now as they will hold up more weight and then I could add the stable loads to reduce any sway left.
Also AIR LIFT now has a kit for our trucks. It's part number #57396 no drill
So I prefer air bags now as they will hold up more weight and then I could add the stable loads to reduce any sway left.
Also AIR LIFT now has a kit for our trucks. It's part number #57396 no drill
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