Air Lift Install Completed

[fivecodys]

Saturday I spent a couple of hours installing my Air Lift Bags. It was very straight forward and rather easy. The most difficult part was cutting off the extra threads on the "U" bolts. I have inflated them to 12 psi and will check them tonight when I get home to see if I have any leaks. I drilled holes and mounted the valve stems on the face of the hitch.

Thank you to all who contributed their ideas and comments.

Bill

[tundratrd21w]

fivecodys, let me, us know how they work, I’m leaning towards the Firestone Air Bags (2445) for my 2007 Tundra. Photos with Trailer if possible.

[fivecodys]

fivecodys, let me, us know how they work, I’m leaning towards the Firestone Air Bags (2445) for my 2007 Tundra. Photos with Trailer if possible.

I have heard very good things about the Firestone Bags. The only reason I went Air Lift is because a friend of mine has them and he, like me, put them in his self and has been very happy with them.

We will be heading up to Shaver Lake in a couple of weeks and I hope to get some good before and after pics. If I do I will post them here.

Bill

[ddbrown17]

We installed Firestone Airbags on our 2007 Tundra. See attached pics. Trailer is level and tows great.

[fivecodys]

We installed Firestone Airbags on our 2007 Tundra. See attached pics. Trailer is level and tows great.

I have a question for you.
Do you inflate you bags prior to hook up or afterwards?
Just curious.

Thanks,

Bill

[d-lo]

nice work.
I've inflated both before and after... it really makes no difference. It takes about 10 pumps with a floor pump to get me where I need to be and it's not noticeably harder going up to 30-40 psi.

[ddbrown17]

I have a question for you.
Do you inflate you bags prior to hook up or afterwards?
Just curious.

Thanks,

Bill

We had our airbags installed and were told to inflate after the trailer is on. They recommended we keep 15-20 lbs of pressure empty to lengthen the life of the bags. We've taken our trailer out twice now with the bags and inflate to 30 lbs. Pin weight on our trailer is 1140, total trailer weight 7000 lbs empty. Hope this helps.

[fivecodys]

nice work.
I've inflated both before and after... it really makes no difference. It takes about 10 pumps with a floor pump to get me where I need to be and it's not noticeably harder going up to 30-40 psi.

Ok. The first time I inflated them I hit them with the little pancake compressor I have and the truck jumped up real quick!
It doesn't take much does it?

I have 10 psi in them now. That seems to be where people are running them. Does that sound right to you?

I will hitch up the trailer and take some measurements before and after to see how much air I will need to run when towing. I am guessing about 30psi but that is only a guess.


Bill

[fivecodys]

We installed Firestone Airbags on our 2007 Tundra. See attached pics. Trailer is level and tows great.

Did you tow before you added the bags?
How much difference do you think it makes?

I noticed this morning that the bed bounce is different on the freeway. Not as bad I think.

Bill

[d-lo]

Ok. The first time I inflated them I hit them with the little pancake compressor I have and the truck jumped up real quick!
It doesn't take much does it?

I have 10 psi in them now. That seems to be where people are running them. Does that sound right to you?

I will hitch up the trailer and take some measurements before and after to see how much air I will need to run when towing. I am guessing about 30psi but that is only a guess.


Bill

I run 'em as low as possible for ride quality-- about 5-7 psi. Any more and I notice a stiff and bouncy rear end.

[fivecodys]

I run 'em as low as possible for ride quality-- about 5-7 psi. Any more and I notice a stiff and bouncy rear end.

I'll give that a try d-lo.

Thanks,

Bill

[ddbrown17]

Did you tow before you added the bags?
How much difference do you think it makes?

I noticed this morning that the bed bounce is different on the freeway. Not as bad I think.

Bill

Yes, we towed before the airbags. Our rear end on the truck definitely sagged, and headlights were pointed upwards. Even though we are keeping 15 - 20 in air, the truck is somewhat stiffer riding, but not alot. It was stiff to begin with anyway. Some people like to keep 10 psi. Anyway, with the bags, everything is level now. We also purchased load e tires and really inflate them before towing the trailer. I would guess that has also helped the sag. We're really glad we got the airbags.

[Only Toyota for me]

nice work.
I've inflated both before and after... it really makes no difference. It takes about 10 pumps with a floor pump to get me where I need to be and it's not noticeably harder going up to 30-40 psi.

I noticed when i hook up to my 5er with 5 psi in the bags before hand. I have 10-15 lbs after i hook up because of the weight compressing the bags a little. With my 5er (1250lbs pin) i run about 20-25 lbs in them and it seems perfect for me.

Just a little tip.
Costco has a super nice 12v pump now for $39.99. It was $49 about 2 weeks ago. I had to take mine back yesterday because i didn't get the filter with it and i got a $10 refund. Guess it paid for my gas to get there.:bored:

[fivecodys]

I noticed when i hook up to my 5er with 5 psi in the bags before hand. I have 10-15 lbs after i hook up because of the weight compressing the bags a little. With my 5er (1250lbs pin) i run about 20-25 lbs in them and it seems perfect for me.

Just a little tip.
Costco has a super nice 12v pump now for $39.99. It was $49 about 2 weeks ago. I had to take mine back yesterday because i didn't get the filter with it and i got a $10 refund. Guess it paid for my gas to get there.:bored:

Cool. I'll check that out.

Thanks for the input.

Bill

[paintsit]

I am installing the Load Lifter 5000 kit by Air Lift. Also the Smart Air Kit for auto lifting with on board compressor. It has been very time consuming, but pretty strait forward except for one problem. One wire is supposed to connect to a "keyed on ignition wire." I can find plenty of "always on" wires, but don't know where to find the keyed on. Can anybody help?