[transitplumber]

Ok, I did some research online. Turns out air lift DOES make everything for the transit. just not the dually.

I am a plumbing contractor. I have a 17' T350 SRW tall extended, ecoboost. I'm loaded up with American shelving and all kinds of stuff. I'm just starting to squat with my everyday load. So once I put water heaters in it etc. it's not going to be good. Sometimes I'll have a few inside at the same time.

So I'm going with the ultimate 5000 bags . (Part number 88213)

I'm just not sure which compressor/controller set up to go with. They have wireless ones now. I'm not so sure I need that. I'm not afraid of tech but I'm just wondering about the long term reliability over a hard wired one.

I'm also not sure if I should get the system that allows dual control so I could pump up each side differently or a single control.

Any suggestions would be great.

 

[joefromga]

Dual control will allow leveling of unbalanced loads.

Wireless won't have wires to break, snag, or rust. The stuff inside won't last any less longer than the wired stuff. I'd go wireless after testing the distances.

 

[rene12341]

I am doing the same thing using the wireless dual controller. Until the end of this month there is a $100 rebate which makes it a real bargain.

 

[transitplumber]

Dual control will allow leveling of unbalanced loads.

Wireless won't have wires to break, snag, or rust. The stuff inside won't last any less longer than the wired stuff. I'd go wireless after testing the distances.

Actually after further research it seems that most people are having problems with the wireless set up.

So I'm going wired. I just need to decide which system I want. To be able to control each bag seperately or together.

 

[alarmist]

Separate. I don't want my bags to even know the other one exists. Oh... wrong forum.

 

[Budsky]

For reliability ditch the on board compressor altogether and just inflate/deflate manually- That's all I've ever done on multiple air bag equipped trucks I've owned over the years. YMMV

BTW I put a set of AirLifts on my 350HD- no one makes an air bag kit for the 350HD, so I had to make my own.
I prefer separately adjustable bags.

 

[transitplumber]

For reliability ditch the on board compressor altogether and just inflate/deflate manually- That's all I've ever done on multiple air bag equipped trucks I've owned over the years. YMMV

BTW I put a set of AirLifts on my 350HD- no one makes an air bag kit for the 350HD, so I had to make my own.
I prefer separately adjustable bags.

Yeah, I did some thinking and I'm going to do the ultimate 5000 kit with NO onboard compressor. I'm sticking with the
KISS theory on this one. Since 99% of the time I am riding around at the same payload give or take I just need to level her back out. If for some reason I need to carry something really heavy I could always pump them up but you are right I want to avoid long term problems. I really don't need the compressor.

NOW. Do I have each bag seperate or put a tee so I can keep them at exactly the same? My van is loaded down almost exactly equal just looking at the current bump stop spacing above the axle.

 

[Budsky]

I don't like the Tee as it makes the van possibly lean a little more when cornering- as one bag gets compressed it forces more air to the other one extending it a little. How much? Don't know.

When I first started using airbags it was with slide in truck campers which typically have all the heavy appliances on the left- so I'd pump that side up more to keep it level.

I see no drawback to separate, other than a 10 second penalty to check and air both instead of one.

 

[transitplumber]

I don't like the Tee as it makes the van possibly lean a little more when cornering- as one bag gets compressed it forces more air to the other one extending it a little. How much? Don't know.

When I first started using airbags it was with slide in truck campers which typically have all the heavy appliances on the left- so I'd pump that side up more to keep it level.

I see no drawback to separate, other than a 10 second penalty to check and air both instead of one.

Since my van is all set up with American van shelves etc. I'm planning on bringing the fill hose/tubing into the back of the van. Doing that I've thought about making a custom gauge set up for each bag with a mount. So I can casually glance at the gauge on each side and see that the bag pressures have stayed where I wanted them. (Tubing/gauges etc are by industry btw )

Since you have had lots of years with air bags do you think that is a good idea? Not necessary? Not worth the time?

I'm just wondering besides looking at the stance how would I know if a bag was leaking?

Also, how much pressure do you normally keep in them?

You sold me on not installing a tee to equalize the bags.

 

[Budsky]

I am currently running about 40PSI in my bags- load consists of of 5-600 lbs of motorcycle / stuff and probably another (guessing) 5-600 lbs of tools, camping gear etc. When my travel trailer is hooked up then there is another 400 lbs or so tongue weight.

It all depends on what you are carrying and how much droop you want to remove...in my case one of my goals was to tow my travel trailer level.
Without the bags I would have needed an extra 1-2" drawbar height- normally not a problem but then I wouldn't be able to open the back doors. As it is now they clear the trailer coupler by 1/4".

Air gauges- sure go for it- I've never had any leakage on any of my bags other than what air gets through the rubber over a very long time, same as a tire.

 

[rascorp]

HI:
I am looking for information relating to airbag lifts. Not for increase weight capacity but for lifting back end of my 2015 350HD. I have completed my Conversion with exception of installing the Onan 3200 genset under and behind the back axle. Upon installing the metal rack where the genset will mount I end up with only 6 inches of ground clearance. So until I find a way to lift back end another 7" I am stuck with carrying my genset on a hitch mounted luggage carrier. Not what I had planned but functional. I continue to hope that I can find away to lift back end another 7". I have searched for air bag aftermarket products.. They make them for the 2015 transit but not the dually. I have asked a local fabricator if he could take the airbag product available and reconfigure the brackets.? I welcome you comments positive or negative.. I'm ready!

 

[BlueMeanies]

I went ahead and got the 5000 ultimate and the dual wireless w/compressor. The $100 rebate was the clincher.

Had Ride Rights on my last truck. No onboard compressor. I got tired of pulling out the portable 12v compressor and the tire pressure gauge and then fussing with the different pressures in order to get the truck to ride correctly.

The older I get the lazier I get...

 

[Budsky]

HI:
I am looking for information relating to airbag lifts. Not for increase weight capacity but for lifting back end of my 2015 350HD. I have completed my Conversion with exception of installing the Onan 3200 genset under and behind the back axle. Upon installing the metal rack where the genset will mount I end up with only 6 inches of ground clearance. So until I find a way to lift back end another 7" I am stuck with carrying my genset on a hitch mounted luggage carrier. Not what I had planned but functional. I continue to hope that I can find away to lift back end another 7". I have searched for air bag aftermarket products.. They make them for the 2015 transit but not the dually. I have asked a local fabricator if he could take the airbag product available and reconfigure the brackets.? I welcome you comments positive or negative.. I'm ready!

I remember pointing out to you the one kit, Ride-Rite, that was available for the 350HD awhile back. Unfortunately they stopped production of them before *I* could get one!
From what I could tell they still sell them in Europe but I could never find a way to get one.

I used the Air Lift kit for the regular Transits and was able to make it work..had to reverse the upper brackets to position the bag mounting more inboard and fabricate the lower mount out of 5" wide 1/4" thick flat bar.

BTW you are NOT going to get 7" of lift out of an air bag kit- maybe half that.

 

[2015transit]

I used the Air Lift kit for the regular Transits and was able to make it work..had to reverse the upper brackets to position the bag mounting more inboard and fabricate the lower mount out of 5" wide 1/4" thick flat bar.

Do you have any pictures of your installation? Interested in the bottom bracket you fabricated. Thanks.

 

[spider]

I used the Air Lift kit for the regular Transits and was able to make it work..had to reverse the upper brackets to position the bag mounting more inboard and fabricate the lower mount out of 5" wide 1/4" thick flat bar.

I'm with 2015transit: would love to get details of your installation if you have some time to respond. I currently have a 2017 350HD on order and will be converting it to a camper next year (I'll be posting my build thread here and on my blog). Although I am mechanically inclined, I don't know much about vehicle suspensions so please assume I know nothing. I was also wondering if it would be possible fro me to add air suspension to the front. My motivation would be to use an on-board compressor/controller to level the vehicle (within reason, of course - perhaps a couple inches up or down on each wheel). Would love to hear your thoughts on this as well.

Thanks in advance!
Pete

 

[sschefer]

I just installed the Air Lift 5000 ultimate bags with the 72000 wireless control. Works fantastic and did wonders for the ride and handling of my 2016 T250. I've got it wired to the house batteries with the compressor inside because I launch my boat with the van and didn't want to risk dunking the compressor. It's water resistant but not water proof.

 

[transitplumber]

Installed the ultimate 5000 bags a few weeks ago. I can't recommend them enough for someone that is hauling a constant load. I went without the compressor. I'm really happy I went the route that I did.

Even found no drill routing for my Schaeder vavles.

 

[transitplumber]

No drill valves

 

[joefromga]

Do the bags replace anything? Or, is that just empty space where they now sit?

Do they lift the load off the leaf springs?

I'd like a set set to dampen the hard tire bumps.

Like driving a 78 coupe Deville.

 

[transitplumber]

Do the bags replace anything? Or, is that just empty space where they now sit?

Do they lift the load off the leaf springs?

I'd like a set set to dampen the hard tire bumps.

Like driving a 78 coupe Deville.

If you look under your van , they replace the stock jounce bumper. (Michilin man looking yellow thing)