Helper air bag PSI
Posted by troway54@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 7 comments
Hey everyone, apologies in advance for the noob question.
I have the Firestone air assist kit in my ‘24 Canyon. I pull a 5k lb boat or camper, depending on the season. Truck handles it great power wise but I don’t like how much it squats and wanted to bring the back end up to help a little with crosswinds. The bags are the same size as a 1/4 ton, lifts the rear an inch and it’s really bouncy at 5 psi.
Can I run them at 0 psi? Everything so can find says not but because it replaces the bump stop. This kit does NOT. It sits between the axle and the leaf. What other negatives are there to 0 PSI.
SwordfishAncient@reddit
I run mine at zero. Worst case they get damaged it's backup suspension unlike a semi or something..if it stops holding air, I'll replace with the $100 generic ones.
Also mine at zero psi still hold their shape, so they will increase psi if I full travel them.
troway54@reddit (OP)
This is what I was thinking but didn’t want to say out loud. These bags are already oversized. The only reason got the ones I did is they’re the only set I found that didn’t require drilling into the frame.
Possibly removing the bag only except the late fall-early spring when I’m pulling the camper and not exploring backcountry nearly as much…
Blazer323@reddit
Been doing air suspension for 15 years, both at home and in the fleet. 0psi is always bad for bags, use 5 at minimum to account for temperature fluctuation. At zero they will collapse and fold, pinching the bellows, causing stress cracks where they bend. When the suspension moves they can get an instant "snake bite" pinch flat from squishing on themselves.
troway54@reddit (OP)
Thanks for added context here and what I was looking for. Is there anything to help with that cracking long term? An oil to rub on or anything like that every xx months? I was hoping them being on the smaller truck would help but this does make sense as they are actually more collapsed in my truck than the full size. Guess I’ll just have to get a small level to get back to factory rake :)
armchairracer@reddit
The airbag is between the axle and the leaf? That doesn't sound right. Do you the leaf and the frame?
troway54@reddit (OP)
Thanks for that. You are right and I edited post.
keboh@reddit
If the bag is internally bump stopped, you should be able to run at 0 psi without much worry.
If it’s not, and it fully compresses for some reason, it is possible that can damage the bag.