Taking all factors in to account (cost, experience, ease of install, etc.) which would you suggest for a daily driver, occasional tower of 5th wheel, and frequent tower of bumper pull? Why?

 

I voted other - for the Pacbrake bags. But in reality, all three manufacturers make good bags. I have owned Airlifts for years with zero problems and have known many people with Ride-Rites with zero issues for years also. I have Pacbrake bags this time around as I believe they have raised the bar slightly on quality. The aluminum end bells are very heavy duty on these bags. I doubt it really even matters but they were the best price since I was able to get them through Lary at the DTR store at the same time that I got my PRXB. I think it will all come down to whichever bag you can get the best price on.

 

I agree on the pacbrake bags...i've personally seen two blowouts on firestones and think the pacbrake quality is slightly better the the rest of the field currently.

 

I didn't vote, both listed are good and add to that the PacBrakes, all 3 are good. If the PacBrakes had been out when I was installing my Ride Rites, I probably would have bought them.

Having said that, my Ride Rites are doing an excellent job. I tow GN and BP, adjust the air for the approx pin weight, off I go. I have the PacBrake PRXB, so if need be I can make adjustments, I have the PacBrake in-cab controls.

CD

 

Had I known...PacBrake instead of Firestone...

 

I've used Firestones for years without any issues. Probably installed 10 sets now, not one has had an issue. However, if the PacBrake's were available when I put this last set on, I'd probably have gotten them. Pacbrake has Good customer service, and they have a good name in the exhaust brake business already.

 

Another for Pacbrake! They seem to be superior in looks/quality/ease of install.

 

I have the Firestones. Occasionally I have to loosen the bottom bracket on the right side and move it back into position. It keeps wanting to rotate forward. So the last time it did I put a couple of tackwelds on the lower bracket and it hasn't done it since. If I had it to do over again I would completely replace the rear suspention with a total air ride not air over leaf. The system seems great if you just need a little extra help. I put 10K lbs on my rear axle so it isn't quite heavy duty enough. But I have 137k mi on the bags and haven't blown one yet.

One thing I have done differently. I have a leveler valve on mine just like air ride on a semi. I don't have to adjust anything. When the suspention compresses it opens the valve and adds air to the bags to bring the truck bag up to normal ride height. And when you take the load off it lets air back out of the bags.

 

I have been looking into bags for a while, and I like pacbrake a lot but also Kelderman set ups are nice and they use Firestone.

 

Love my FS the only problem I had was on my Chevy their bracket was cut on the wrong end, still an easy fix. Installing them on the Dodge took longer to get the tools out than anything else.

 

I am looking at getting Pacbrake airbags, they seem to be the best made right now on the research I have done.

58FORD; I am interested in the leveler valve, did you make your own valve or is this something you purchased? How does it work? Basically. is it an easy add on or a pain?

 

It was something I purchaced from Firestone. You could get it from them or any big truck parts supply. If you purchace it from Firestone I believe it comes in a kit with fittings, air line, and hardware. I ordered everything all at once and I don't really remember what came with what.

It is very easy to install. I do not have a bed on my truck. So I had to bolt it to a crossmember under my 5th wheel plate right over the pumpkin. Just be sure to leave enough room for the arm on the valve so it doesnt swing up and hit the bottom of your bed or 5th wheel ect.(mistake I made). Then I just ran the link arm down to the top bolt on the diff cover. Then you just run the air line from the compressor to the valve then from the valve to the bags.

I also went to a truck salvage yard and got a 2 needle air pressure guage out of a KW(only $20). And hooked one side up to the tank and the other to the bags.

I will take a pic of it when I get a chance and put it in my gallery. I will let you know when I do this. Probably monday or tuesday.

 

Thanks, can't wait to see them.

 

Sorry, had a charging issue when I went to get the truck from Sheid Monday. Think its fixed now. Going to get the truck tomorrow(Friday). I promise to take pics of the setup and post them.