Airbag Suspension and Unhitching Question

I would say the first time you hook up, have 5-10 psi in the bags, hook the trailer and see that the pressure is with it on. When unhooking - drop to that pressure (not 5psi) with the weight on. Airbags have a minimum pressure to avoid internal damage from the bag being pinched. 5 psi with a load will be ~2 without.

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I have air bags on my truck and one on my pinbox. I don't do anything with them when hitching or unhitching. Raise the trailer until I can see a small air gap between the hitch and the pinbox plate. Drive away. The difference between full air pressure and no air pressure is only a couple inches at best..Why make such a big deal out of all this???

B.O.

The reason I let the air out of my bags is that I have electric front legs and they are slower than molasses in January. It's quicker to let air out than to raise the toyhauler, remove the truck, and then lower it again to get it level. Then reverse the process when hitching back up. Letting air out and putting it back is quicker.

Not everyone does it the same way you do. Different strokes for different folks.

I have Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 air bags on my truck. I have a Husky/Vally 16K hitch - non slider.

I used to deflate the air bags to 20# prior to unhitching. I stopped doing it and do not have any problems. I install wheel chocks in front and behind the wheels before I unhitch.

I extend the legs and watch the pin as it comes up in the hitch and have the wife stop the leg travel as soon as I see that the load is off the truck (vertical movement of the pin away from the hitch "claw"). Then I release the hitch "claw" and check for any movement of the trailer. On occasion I get some trailer movement if the ground is not level. Nothing to worry about. If I get an inch or two movement I put the load back on the truck, retract and then re-extend the legs - I think it takes the stress off the front legs.

I have the IntelliJacks system and have it calibrated with the air bags set for towing - inflate to about 35 lbs unloaded. When the trailer is connected the air bags come up to about 45 lbs. This will require some additional leg extension do to inflated air bags.

I have air bags on my truck and one on my pinbox. I don't do anything with them when hitching or unhitching. Raise the trailer until I can see a small air gap between the hitch and the pinbox plate. Drive away. The difference between full air pressure and no air pressure is only a couple inches at best..Why make such a big deal out of all this???

B.O.

drillagent wrote:

motorcycle jack wrote:
I will run the truck at #5 of pressure with out the 5th, but after I'm hooked up I run it at the level line (about #85. When going to disconnect I run it down to #5 before unhooking since that lowers the unit so the hydraulics don't have to be so high and I'm going to run the truck at #5 anyhow after disconnecting. Always done it that way so the bags aren't super full with no load.

This is the kind of logic I was looking for. I apologize if I didn't clarify my position earlier. I don't have a 5th wheel yet. I don't have a 5th wheel hitch yet. I don't even have the airbag suspension assist yet. I've got about three years before Uncle Sam and I part ways, and I'm just trying to make sure HH6 and I are prepared for when I see that front gate in my rearview mirror for the last time and we begin the second chapter of our lives as Fulltimers.

Based on my research, internet and otherwise, the plan is to run with Firestone Ride-Rite airbags and a B&W Companion hitch. Looking at the jaws of the hitch, there doesn't seem to be a lot of play that would help indicate when the full weight of the trailer is off. Yes everyone, including me, knows that you have to get the weight off the hitch before you unhook and pull out. What I don't know is how much the airbags will raise the bed, forcing the hydraulics to be too high.

Thank you to everyone who gave me help and advice. I now have a clearer understanding of what goes on. From what I have gathered here, it looks like my checklist should go something like this: Back in and set the Lynx Levelers to level the rig side to side. Once level, set the X Chocks to ensure the rig doesn't move. Deflate the airbags to the 5# empty running level. Drop the front legs and raise them to lift the weight off the hitch. Open the jaws and pull out. Does that sound about right?

Good choice on the B&W! To make it easier to see when the load is off the hitch get a 1/8" thick slip plate from Hensley.

motorcycle jack wrote:
I will run the truck at #5 of pressure with out the 5th, but after I'm hooked up I run it at the level line (about #85. When going to disconnect I run it down to #5 before unhooking since that lowers the unit so the hydraulics don't have to be so high and I'm going to run the truck at #5 anyhow after disconnecting. Always done it that way so the bags aren't super full with no load.

If you are lowering the psi to 5# while hitched you will have much less psi when you are not hitched. I run 5# when empty and once I put the 4,500# load on it I am at around 30#.

Actually if you will be using a Companion hitch, it doesn't get much easier to see when the weight is totally off the hitch. The hitch head will rise up an inch or so before the keeper pins catch. You can literally see the head float when the weight is off of it. I watch for the float and then drop the trailer about an inch.

The Companion hitch does have one of the most positive locking jaws available, but it is still important to make sure that you don't high hitch. Always make sure that the trailer is slightly low and slides up the hitch like a ramp when hitching and you should never have any problems.

Thank you for your service to our country! I got a chuckle when you said you owed Uncle Sam 3 more years and then I saw your location was Leavenworth!

motorcycle jack wrote:
I will run the truck at #5 of pressure with out the 5th, but after I'm hooked up I run it at the level line (about #85. When going to disconnect I run it down to #5 before unhooking since that lowers the unit so the hydraulics don't have to be so high and I'm going to run the truck at #5 anyhow after disconnecting. Always done it that way so the bags aren't super full with no load.

This is the kind of logic I was looking for. I apologize if I didn't clarify my position earlier. I don't have a 5th wheel yet. I don't have a 5th wheel hitch yet. I don't even have the airbag suspension assist yet. I've got about three years before Uncle Sam and I part ways, and I'm just trying to make sure HH6 and I are prepared for when I see that front gate in my rearview mirror for the last time and we begin the second chapter of our lives as Fulltimers.

Based on my research, internet and otherwise, the plan is to run with Firestone Ride-Rite airbags and a B&W Companion hitch. Looking at the jaws of the hitch, there doesn't seem to be a lot of play that would help indicate when the full weight of the trailer is off. Yes everyone, including me, knows that you have to get the weight off the hitch before you unhook and pull out. What I don't know is how much the airbags will raise the bed, forcing the hydraulics to be too high.

Thank you to everyone who gave me help and advice. I now have a clearer understanding of what goes on. From what I have gathered here, it looks like my checklist should go something like this: Back in and set the Lynx Levelers to level the rig side to side. Once level, set the X Chocks to ensure the rig doesn't move. Deflate the airbags to the 5# empty running level. Drop the front legs and raise them to lift the weight off the hitch. Open the jaws and pull out. Does that sound about right?

I will run the truck at #5 of pressure with out the 5th, but after I'm hooked up I run it at the level line (about #85. When going to disconnect I run it down to #5 before unhooking since that lowers the unit so the hydraulics don't have to be so high and I'm going to run the truck at #5 anyhow after disconnecting. Always done it that way so the bags aren't super full with no load.

Have agree that once the weight is off the TV there will not be an "jump." Never have let air out of my airbags when unhitching.