05-10-2018, 11:04 PM
I enjoy the adjustability of the airbags, not only for different loading, but levelling when parking, as I can pump up the curb side bag to 100PSI and let all the air out the other and almost level out 6 inches of lean.
I put the shrader valves inside, and my MV-50 air compressor is right next to the fill/deflate valves. One can plumb the schrader valves whereever they choose. Plumb each bag separately.
Pre 2006, i used to use the 35$ Pep boys leaf spring helpers, but they were the type which connected to the back side of the leafspring on the bottom. They had a thick plastic portion designed to ride and slide on original leafs. This pad eventually wears out, I was getting about 15 to 18K per set before it was metal on metal and quite obvious.
They helped my tired leaf springs, but the firestone airbags are legitimate, and I am glad i went for them over the real helper springs from helwig or others, or a new leaf spring pack, though my opinion is that if these are designed for a specific load, they are better than airbags.
Right now there is 25PSi driver's side 15PSI passenger side, as I have more weight on driversside even without me sitting there.
LT tires need to be inflated more than P/XtraLoad tires to carry the same load. P/XL tires for my van are rated upto 41PSI and 32PSI was plenty for them. I use LT tires rated for upto 50PSI and run them about 41PSI, but if I am loaded down, as high as 45PSI. Easy to tell difference in ride equality from 41 to 45PSI, and 32PSI is what I used when driving on long washboarded roads with LTs, and they look LOW at that pressure and ride soft as a cadiliac.
If one uses P rated tires at least make sure they are XL rated. These will actually be rated to carry higher weights than LT tires, but P/XL tires must be derated by about 10% in a taller vehicle like a truck or Van whereas the LT tires rating is already derated assuming such a vehicle.
Vehicles with saggy rears should have their headlights adjusted down. Not only to keep from getting flashed by irritated drivers on the other side, but so one can actually see the road.
I put the shrader valves inside, and my MV-50 air compressor is right next to the fill/deflate valves. One can plumb the schrader valves whereever they choose. Plumb each bag separately.
Pre 2006, i used to use the 35$ Pep boys leaf spring helpers, but they were the type which connected to the back side of the leafspring on the bottom. They had a thick plastic portion designed to ride and slide on original leafs. This pad eventually wears out, I was getting about 15 to 18K per set before it was metal on metal and quite obvious.
They helped my tired leaf springs, but the firestone airbags are legitimate, and I am glad i went for them over the real helper springs from helwig or others, or a new leaf spring pack, though my opinion is that if these are designed for a specific load, they are better than airbags.
Right now there is 25PSi driver's side 15PSI passenger side, as I have more weight on driversside even without me sitting there.
LT tires need to be inflated more than P/XtraLoad tires to carry the same load. P/XL tires for my van are rated upto 41PSI and 32PSI was plenty for them. I use LT tires rated for upto 50PSI and run them about 41PSI, but if I am loaded down, as high as 45PSI. Easy to tell difference in ride equality from 41 to 45PSI, and 32PSI is what I used when driving on long washboarded roads with LTs, and they look LOW at that pressure and ride soft as a cadiliac.
If one uses P rated tires at least make sure they are XL rated. These will actually be rated to carry higher weights than LT tires, but P/XL tires must be derated by about 10% in a taller vehicle like a truck or Van whereas the LT tires rating is already derated assuming such a vehicle.
Vehicles with saggy rears should have their headlights adjusted down. Not only to keep from getting flashed by irritated drivers on the other side, but so one can actually see the road.
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