1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Talk me out of the ride-rite firestone airbag system..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-23-2009, 04:29 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
justagoodolboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Plain, TX
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Talk me out of the ride-rite firestone airbag system..

Anyone with any complains or real-world results on improving the ride of the trucks? What about a good source to buy?
Old 07-23-2009, 05:31 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
superdodge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beautiful southern BC
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mine leak down, have from new. its not the bag, but the fitting(s) leak. poor design, makes for easy install though.

i also have a 21 foot motorhome with some sort of airbags that somebody else installed... they leak down too.

if i'm using the bags on either machine i have to air them up at least daily.

have tried puncture seal on the motorhome... no avail.

Bob
Old 07-23-2009, 05:47 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
92smokin blacky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bountiful, Utah
Posts: 2,128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
we have the ride-rite firestone air bags on our 08 GMC. It had them when we bought it. I wanna take them off and put them on the real work truck! my truck!
Old 07-23-2009, 07:10 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Free89W350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pen Argyl Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kelderman all the way. The set up on my truck has been on it since 1990 with all the original bags. the rear leaks down a little bit but I think its due to the line going from the pump under the hood to the bag may have a hole in it somewhere or the fittings are loose. But it takes quite awhile for it to leak. My system is the single rear bag the newer ones are the dual bag setup and they are SWEET. I would defiantly look into going that route IMO.
Old 07-23-2009, 07:15 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Greed 93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Morgan,UT
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I second that kelderman all the way they ride very nice also
Old 07-23-2009, 08:22 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
schamran's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
what do you pay for a kelderman set up?
Old 07-24-2009, 12:02 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
12valve@heart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: East Central OK
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
No way I'd be without mine. I have a 70 gallon fuel tank in the bed plus a tool box loaded full plus a generator and some other junk so the truck is somewhat loaded to start with. Hang a 35' travel trailer on the back of it and I was saggin'.

I added Firestone Ride-Rite bags that I bought off e-bay. If I were doing it over, I'd sure look at the Pac bags in the DTR store but they didn't offer them when I bought my set. The right one leaks down about 10psi per 24 hours due to a fitting leak that I've never fixed but the left one stays right where I left it. I plumbed mine in through a dual control panel so each side is aired up separately and tied that to a semi truck air tank that I tucked up under the bed in front of the left rear tire. The one or 2 gallon tank that they offer wasn't near enough for me. That tank also has a quick connect on it for hooking my air hose to for airing up tires. That tank is then plumbed to a Viair 400 electric compressor mounted under the battery that keeps it pressurized at 120psi.

Sometimes I wish I had just a bit more air capacity but I wouldn't give up on-board air for anything and the Ride-rites took all the sag out of my trailer towing. I usually run about 90psi when towing the travel trailer and about 20psi when not towing. I think it helps the ride some as well although I haven't removed the spring leaves like Jim Lane did to get the smoother ride. Mine was for leveling and increased capacity.
Old 07-24-2009, 01:01 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
Crazy Matt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a set of firestones on my truck. Love them to death. They are so handy for making the end of the trailer dip down in the back when loading odd things.


I do have the compressor setup, so it makes it easier.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fueling around
Towing and Hauling / RV
10
09-07-2005 06:55 AM
Micaiahfied
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
1
08-27-2005 06:36 PM
TIM RYDEN
Towing and Hauling / RV
4
05-06-2005 01:11 AM
03CTDCO
3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only)
19
03-09-2004 07:10 PM
pwabbott
3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only)
8
11-25-2003 09:11 AM



Quick Reply: Talk me out of the ride-rite firestone airbag system..



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:32 AM.