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I installed the AirLift bags, part 57340, back in September. I added them because I wanted a way to add capacity to the rear suspension without sacrificing ride. Airbags fill this role because they are adjustable from 5-100 PSI. At 5 PSI they add a meager 250 lbs of capacity, and 100 PSI a whopping 5,000 lbs of lift support.
I chose the AirLift kit because they carry a lifetime warranty on the entire kit, not just the bags like other manufacturers. They are also manufactured in Lansing, MI as opposed to using imported components like some others. With my V-code front springs I run ~20 PSI in the bags which brings the rear level with the front without sacrificing ride. In my sig pic I have ~2,000 lbs on the tongue and another 1,000 lbs in the X, and I simply adjusted to 60 PSI after setting up my WD kit and it rode well with an additional 2,800 lbs on the rear axle.
I've been completely satisfied with mine and would recommend them to anyone.
Our newest product line is the ULTIMATE kits. We offer the 88340 LoadLifter 5000 ULTIMATE Premium Leaf Spring Leveling Kit. This is the same as the kit above, but features an internal jounce bumper for the best in ride quality and safety. You can check this kit out here: 88340 Kit.
Did it improve the ride at all or was it just for leveling out when towing?
It was originally to level out when towing. When I first installed them I put about 45 psi in them unloaded and I honestly like the ride better. When I tow I air the rear tires up to 80PSI and then the bags to whatever levels it out. The ride is also much better when towing and sway has been downright eliminated (I use a WDH).
Last time I forgot to air the tires out after our trip. 80psi in the rear tires + 60psi in the airbags made me think my teeth were going to fall out!
I have the ride rite on my 6.0L Ex. Had 30 psi unloaded...Made the truck look much better..rides like crap in the very back..any bump shoots my kiddos off the seat. 15psi is much better. Mostly air up to 30psi when towing our 8K lb travel trailer. No squatting here! Handles great with the Rancho XL 9000 shocks and an Equalizer WDH. Getting ready for a 1200 mile pull next week.
Another satisfied Firestone Ride Rite customer here. I keep mine at 25 psi when unloaded and I like the ride. I also run the Airlift 1000's in the front, they keep the front firm with the added weight of a Warn Trans4mer winch mount and 12K winch.
You can't really go wrong with either brand. They are both quality products as far as I can tell.
Another satisfied Firestone Ride Rite customer here. I keep mine at 25 psi when unloaded and I like the ride. I also run the Airlift 1000's in the front, they keep the front firm with the added weight of a Warn Trans4mer winch mount and 12K winch.
You can't really go wrong with either brand. They are both quality products as far as I can tell.
James
Agreed - they are the only 2 companies I'd consider.
I installed the AirLift bags, part 57340, back in September. I added them because I wanted a way to add capacity to the rear suspension without sacrificing ride. Airbags fill this role because they are adjustable from 5-100 PSI. At 5 PSI they add a meager 250 lbs of capacity, and 100 PSI a whopping 5,000 lbs of lift support.
I chose the AirLift kit because they carry a lifetime warranty on the entire kit, not just the bags like other manufacturers. They are also manufactured in Lansing, MI as opposed to using imported components like some others. With my V-code front springs I run ~20 PSI in the bags which brings the rear level with the front without sacrificing ride. In my sig picI have ~2,000 lbs on the tongue and another 1,000 lbs in the X, and I simply adjusted to 60 PSI after setting up my WD kit and it rode well with an additional 2,800 lbs on the rear axle.
I've been completely satisfied with mine and would recommend them to anyone.
You definitely live up to your forum name! That's crazy!!!!!
Not me, man.....
Yeah, that one scared the hell out of me. The closest scale to my route was 2/3rds of the way there, and by the time I weighed there really was no turning back.
I do not plan on ever doing that again; the thought of ripping the hitch from the frame terrifies me.
Another satisfied Air Lift user here. They've been on probably 5-6 years now, front and rear. Started out with a digital controller for them, which was really nice, but it quit almost immediately. They replaced it with another, which also failed, so it got replaced with an analogue gauge/ manual adjustment. Still works fine though, and serves its purpose.
Never had a problem with the bags themselves. I have blown out the air lines before on some hard bumps. Once on the front, once on the rear. I actually noticed when the front happened. I simply cut the line straight around the break, inserted two elbow connectors, and put a short piece of air line between them to fill the gap. Apparently that was a weak spot because it happened again when going over a railroad track shortly after that first time, but all I had to do was replace that short piece of filler hose.
No issues recently, and I think now that I finally got rid of the awful factory shocks, it shouldn't be taking such a harsh, hose-breaking shock any more.
Thanks to all of you for the info. I tow a Jayco 32BHDS and I have 6 kids all getting bigger every year. It's probably about time to give the rear suspension a little help.