Air Bag Pressure

MANY take the time to understand what the stickers mean. Some stickers involve a class, or registration number limit. Others can be a limit that involves the weakest link (as delivered from factory). If the weakest link is the available spring pack, this can be improved on, by using air bags, or other means. Of course the stickers do not self adjust, when you add more capability. You still need to keep the next weakest link in mind too. Tires/wheels may be next, so that may be the limiting rating.

Jerry

I leave mine at the minimal when riding around empty, when I hook up it goes to 30, I just leave it there. Haven’t touched the buttons in years.

Some think that sticker on the door jam is a commandment from god, or at least a gov mandate. I once bought a few tractors that had a GVWR of 32,000 or less, (don't remember for sure, know it was 12 steer, 20 on single drive), and a GCVWR of 80,000. I did a lot of changing to make them do what I needed to do. Basically I used the engines and cabs. About a week after I put them to work driver got stopped for torn mudflap. LEO, matching VIN to paperwork saw that 80, looked at BOL, that showed GCVW of 110,000. Now normally my drivers would pay 30% of fine, but I needed them moving rock, so I told them it was all on me. By the time I went to court on the first one I had over 40 tickets in hand. Cost me a little with the lawyer, but the judge explained to that officer that the only number on that plate that was any of his business was the VIN
Now I was dealing with CMVs. But most LEOs are more likely to be strict with CMV, but not look at RVs
Now I'm not saying running over your ratings is a good idea, because it will cause handling issues, and wear parts faster.

It takes 60 psi unless I'm loaded heavy, then it takes 80 to level off the rig

Super_Dave wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Around 50-55 psi gets the rear off the overloads on mine.

I want mine on the overloads for stability and I pressure for level and nothing else, about 10 - 15 psi when unloaded works best for me. I haven't measured what it is when loaded.

The ride is horribly harsh when the truck is on the overloads, and by a happy coincidence, the truck is level when it comes off the overloads. Win, win. :)

Durb wrote:
15 PSI, 2,000# on the pin, 41 gallon auxiliary tank and 300#+ hitch. I need some truck squat to get everything level.

Level is good! I see too many people running down the highway with their rear at or higher than their unloaded ride height and front of 5er way nose high because of overinflated air bags. Then they wonder why they have chucking and a poor ride.

TXiceman wrote:

garyp4951 wrote:
I run 20psi just to help the coil springs on the dips at bridges.

TXiceman, my air bags say I can carry 5,000 lbs more. LOL

The air springs DO NOT increase the load capacity of the truck.
All you can say is the air springs an carry 5000#.
The truck is rated for what is stamped on the stickers inside the door jamb.

Ken

On paper no but reality is YES. Simply look at the weak springs and tell me bags don't add capacity. Axle is rated at 9,750#.

15 PSI, 2,000# on the pin, 41 gallon auxiliary tank and 300#+ hitch. I need some truck squat to get everything level.

TXiceman wrote:

garyp4951 wrote:
I run 20psi just to help the coil springs on the dips at bridges.

TXiceman, my air bags say I can carry 5,000 lbs more. LOL

The air springs DO NOT increase the load capacity of the truck.
All you can say is the air springs an carry 5000#.
The truck is rated for what is stamped on the stickers inside the door jamb.

Ken

But all that means is if the manufacturer can prove you went over their rating they don't pay warranty claims. The only rating the law will enforce is the tires.

garyp4951 wrote:
I run 20psi just to help the coil springs on the dips at bridges.

TXiceman, my air bags say I can carry 5,000 lbs more. LOL

The air springs DO NOT increase the load capacity of the truck.
All you can say is the air springs an carry 5000#.
The truck is rated for what is stamped on the stickers inside the door jamb.

Ken