Doughboy12 wrote:
big buford wrote:
Air bags should be used to help control the bounce (up and down) while traveling down the road. Start at 20 psi and add 5 psi until you get a ride that feels good.
I respect your opinion (usually) but this statement has me very confused as it goes against everything I know about suspension, which I admit isn't all that much. Please explain as my thoughts are the shocks are the only thing that controls the bounce. The bags carry the load.
I guess I should have explained my thoughts a little more thoroughly. If a person hooks up their trailer, locks down their load bars then adds 60 psi to their air bags to level rig you have effectively unloaded your sway control and load leveling depending on the style hitch your using.
IMHO it is not nessary to return to full unloaded height on rear of truck, an inch or two lower in rear is fine. While I agree with you, the shock controls the bounce, the air bags supplement the rear springs so the bounce wont be so severe.
So IMHO the hitch needs to be properly set up first with the proper weight on it. Then start with a lower pressure on the bags and work your way up slowly to add the correct amount of needed load carrying capacity. You want just enough air in bags to control the bounce and no more.
I currently have a heavy 5er and add well over 3000lbs to the rear axle. I get my best ride with 40lbs in the bags before I hook up rig (I'm sure pressure goes up when load is placed on it). Suspension is meant to be used, if the bags are overinflated from the get go, the hitch and bags aren't going to function properly.
