Ride Rite Air bags...are they worth it? - Diesel Forum

ABrown134 · 04-14-2006, 03:44 PM

Several questions regarding the air bags, and would appreciate any input from those who have them. I have an '04 (see sig) and it does not have overloads. I'm pulling a 32ft TT weighing in around 8k loaded with a Hensley Arrow keeping them locked together and 1000# spring bars. Using a 4" drop drawbar with the Hensley.

With the TT hooked up and the trailer leveled (with the tongue jack), the truck is level also. When the tongue weight is added to the truck, I'm getting a pretty good drop which is noticable all around. Front of the truck is up, back is down, TT is low in front.

I have been looking at adding a set of Ride Rites as I think this is the most economical way to go to fix the issue. The questions I have are these...

1. Will they accomplish the ride leveling?
2. How much is ride quality affected, loaded and unloaded?
3. Is there any other brand (i.e. Timbren) that are as good, or better?
4. Is the onboard air option worth the money?
5. Cheapest price I've found is $219 on line. Anyone know of a better price?

I appreciate the input from anyone who has used these. Again, this appears to be the best way to go as far as I can see as the weight will still be on the truck, just not dropping it as much.

Aaron

wittmeba · 04-14-2006, 05:12 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Several questions regarding the air bags, and would appreciate any input from those who have them. I have an '04 (see sig) and it does not have overloads. I'm pulling a 32ft TT weighing in around 8k loaded with a Hensley Arrow keeping them locked together and 1000# spring bars. Using a 4" drop drawbar with the Hensley.

With the TT hooked up and the trailer leveled (with the tongue jack), the truck is level also. When the tongue weight is added to the truck, I'm getting a pretty good drop which is noticable all around. Front of the truck is up, back is down, TT is low in front.

I have been looking at adding a set of Ride Rites as I think this is the most economical way to go to fix the issue. The questions I have are these...

1. Will they accomplish the ride leveling?
2. How much is ride quality affected, loaded and unloaded?
3. Is there any other brand (i.e. Timbren) that are as good, or better?
4. Is the onboard air option worth the money?
5. Cheapest price I've found is $219 on line. Anyone know of a better price?

I appreciate the input from anyone who has used these. Again, this appears to be the best way to go as far as I can see as the weight will still be on the truck, just not dropping it as much.

Aaron

[/ QUOTE ]
I have AirLift, not RideRites but they are pretty much the same. Mine were $199.00 + 7.50 order fee from www.jegs.com.

1. Will they accomplish the ride leveling?
- Yes, they will provide leveling - I only use about 18-20# to level our 8500# 5th wheel. It isonly off by about 1 1/2" or so, so it isnt much but works like a champ.

2. How much is ride quality affected, loaded and unloaded? - You can release them to 5# and you wont know they are there. You can add an 'on board' compressor and control them while you drive. When empty and I forget to release them, you do know it...ride is sharper.

3. Is there any other brand (i.e. Timbren) that are as good, or better?
- Suspect they are all pretty much the same - I just got AirLift - heard they were a leader in the aribags...up for challenge.

4. Is the onboard air option worth the money?
- This is up to you. I have a compressor at home - when I know I will be hauling and I only haul our 5th wheel knowing how much to add (about 20#) I just pump up before departing. For about $0.50 you can fill at any filling station w/air.

5. Cheapest price I've found is $219 on line. Anyone know of a better price?

[On Edit]
Here is the AirLift bags:
http://www.airliftcompany.com/new-index/Frameset.htm
Oddly I dont see them at Jegs anymore. You might want to email them or call.

http://www.jegs.com was the best I found (as above).

Here is my install process. The 4X4 blocks of wood is a real tip.

http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmei...stallation.htm

**Kanman** · 04-14-2006, 05:17 PM

Absolutely these are an excellent choice as to what I think you are looking to do. Will raise your truck back to level. Allows you to infinitely adjust your ride quilt (Timbrens wont do this) every time the type of road your traveling on changes you can adjust to find that sweet spot. You will always get a better ride with Air Bags than with out. You can not find one tractor trailer traveling our interstates that does not use air bags on tractor, and probably the trailer as well. With Timbrens once there in there in, no changing the settings or feel of your ride.

One other little advantage, upgrading to a little larger air compressor and tank. You will have on board air...

william_04_X · 04-14-2006, 07:06 PM

i love my ride rights with the onboard controls(PSI gauge and switch)..my trailer has the wheels placed pretty far back and i have a large storage area at the front which is FULL..i don't always take the toys on trips and my tounge gets heavy...60#'s in the bags level it out perfectly and my rig rides great..

fraz · 04-14-2006, 07:43 PM

I,ve had both Air-lift & Ride-Rite. There both excellent. With a 5th wheel there a must. Easy install, good ride, inexpensive. You don't need the in cab controller, I'd spend the money on a bigger compressor for the garage 1st. I,ve inflated them to 20-25 psi with a bicycle pump, as long as there is no load in the bed.

william_04_X · 04-14-2006, 08:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I,ve had both Air-lift & Ride-Rite. There both excellent. With a 5th wheel there a must. Easy install, good ride, inexpensive. You don't need the in cab controller, I'd spend the money on a bigger compressor for the garage 1st. I,ve inflated them to 20-25 psi with a bicycle pump, as long as there is no load in the bed.

[/ QUOTE ]

i like the on board for the fact that we often(almost every time) take the trailer somewhere(aired up) and go out in the truck(aired down)...we come home(aired up) and un-hitch(airdown)... i could use a small compressor, which i have in the trailer, but i'm too lazy to do that twice in a weekend..i can do it all from the cab and i get the pressure right on...the compressor i got with mine is very small and is mounted under the truck, right under the drivers seat..another gauge never hurt either... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

ABrown134 · 04-14-2006, 08:50 PM

Another gauge??!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]
Can never have enough of those.
Thanks to everyone who responded; some good info here. I think I'm going to get them,but I might try to design an air system with an old freon tank. Will have to see if it would be cheaper to buy it complete, or go that way.
Anyone else???

Aaron

**Kanman** · 04-15-2006, 04:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Another gauge??!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]
Can never have enough of those.
Thanks to everyone who responded; some good info here. I think I'm going to get them,but I might try to design an air system with an old freon tank. Will have to see if it would be cheaper to buy it complete, or go that way.
Anyone else???

Aaron

[/ QUOTE ]

eBay eBay eBay for the tank, control valves and such. Great deals on there for that kind of stuff. If you cant find what your looking for do a search for Air Horn. That should bring up tons of goodies for ya. 2 - 3 gallon tank is plenty. 5 gallon is almost over kill.

64frdpwr · 04-30-2006, 09:00 AM

i have the same set up as you. the 30TT and hensley. i just put the ride rite bags on 3 months ago. They work great and improve the ride once everything is hitched up. I went out and bought a $24 5 gallon portable air tank i fill up and throw it in the truck tool box so when i am ready to hook up from home just use the portable tank. 120 psi.
cheers.

Down South · 04-30-2006, 10:04 AM

I installed the Ride Rite air bags a few months ago. They work great. I carry one of those cheap air compressors that plug into your lighter plug to air them up with. I had to lengthen the cord on the compressor to be able to reach the back bumper but the setup works great.

96STROKE · 04-30-2006, 12:18 PM

[/ QUOTE ][ QUOTE ]
1. Will they accomplish the ride leveling? Yes 
2. How much is ride quality affected, loaded and unloaded? Loaded you can adjust the air bag to your liking, unloaded you will never know the air bags are installed 
3. Is there any other brand (i.e. Timbren) that are as good, or better? I hear good things about the timbrens, but they are not adjustable, your either loaded down onto them or not, simmilar to an overload spring. 
4. Is the onboard air option worth the money? I don't have a onboard compressor, would be a nice to have as you could adjust the ride while traveling. I have to adjust before leaving and test drive, adjust and test drive til I found the pressure that works for me 
5. Cheapest price I've found is $219 on line. Anyone know of a better price? I think I paid $350 installed at my local tire shop, looks like a very easy install 

[/ QUOTE ]

I really love the air bags, can adjust air pressure to get the ride you want or level the truck out, no matter what you are towing, boat, jeep, ATVs, small equipment, 5th wheel, load of bricks, ect....

barrelhorses · 04-30-2006, 08:47 PM

The only problem I have with air bags (regardless of brand) is I don't think I can use them. I have a plate welded between the frame rails for my GN ball. I think the GN installation will make it impossible (or at least rather difficult) to install air bags.

patchzx7r · 05-01-2006, 01:42 AM

Just completed a Air Bag/On-Board air system. I now have a 100% cycle duty compressor hooked up to a 5 gallon tank then to 2 air valves (like the ones for lowriders) and two sensors that monitor the in tank pressure {On @ 110psi off @ 140psi} the 2nd one is for the bags. Even if I empty all the air out out of the bags the sensor will re-inflate to 10 psi to protect the bags. The best part is now I have in cab adjustability and will keep an air hose in the tool box for airing up tires..

Spend the money on the airbags, well worth it.. I used Air Lift for the bags, firestone for the tank and Vair 350cc for the compressor. I have a parts list if you would like it.. It does not include some brass fittings and a few of the relays I had to buy but i could help with that.

barrelhorses · 05-01-2006, 05:51 AM

Thanks. It would be some nice information. But like I said, I don't think I can mount air bags on my truck without some engineering to get around the GN installation.

patchzx7r · 05-01-2006, 12:51 PM

I have a short bed and I had to cut and re weld the bracket for the bags, the fifth wheel hitch brackets were in a position so I had to cut the bottom of the bracket and move it to the top. Otherwise there would have been no way. I will be uploading photos as soon as I finish the LED lights.