What should my PSI be for my rear airbags

Snowman9000 wrote:
I also have a Sunseeker with the air bags. I'm heading home from a 4000 mile trip, my first with it. I kept the bags at 65 for no particular reason. Handling is fine but the rear definitely takes some hits harder than I'd like, especially compared to the front. Should I just do trial and error? Does it affect ride more than handling, or handling more than ride, or what?

Air bags affect both ride and handling. More pressure will make the suspension stiffer (rougher ride), but will add stability, especially if dealing with a strong cross wind. The other thing air bags can help with is the overall levelness of the MH. If one sideis loaded more than the other, you may adjust each bag to achieve level. Also, front to back, you will want to adjust so MH is level or slightly nose down for better handling. Pick a starting place and try adding or subtracting a little until you get the best ride and handling--often a compromise of one to the other.

I start with 60 psi and will adjust from there. I usually have a hitch mounted bike rack with two bikes on it adding a little weight to the back.

Always exercise care in adding air. A small, short burst will add a lot of air. Don't overdo or you will rupture the bags. 100psi is the absolute max.

I also have a Sunseeker with the air bags. I'm heading home from a 4000 mile trip, my first with it. I kept the bags at 65 for no particular reason. Handling is fine but the rear definitely takes some hits harder than I'd like, especially compared to the front. Should I just do trial and error? Does it affect ride more than handling, or handling more than ride, or what?

I run 70 PSI on the air bags when taking shorter trip without much load. When fully loaded for the summer I usually bump it to 80-85.

Dave

I run mine at 80psi. Seems to provide a good solid ride.

With airbags on my pickup, and previous rigs, I like to set the pressure where it allows the suspension to compress a little (1-1.5") so that not all of the weight is on the bags. This provides the stability with out making the ride harsh.

Are you trying to account for just the normal weight or the added tongue weight of a trailer?

I set ours to 80 psi. Never allow less the min 20 psi because below that the bags can be pinched and a resulting hole, as I understand.

The air bags in our 06 Winne c-class recommend a minimum of 20 (maybe5) psi and max of 100psi. After experimenting for some time, we found that 70psi provides for best handling and ride quality. It does not change when towing the 3500lb CRV.
There is only minimal tongue weight when towing a car, less than 100lbs with dolly and less than 40lbs when using a tow bar. Actually when we are towing, the hitch weight is less, because part of the weight of the 40lb tow bar (all ways locked on the MH) is transferred to the front of the toad.

The pressure in ours, only makes minimal change in the ride height, checked ours a couple of times, at 5 psi then aired up to 100 psi and only raised the back bumper 1/2 inch.

Beverley and Ken

this is a rule of thumb only: With little to no pressure in the bags, measure your bumper height before and after you put on your Equinox. Inflate the bags to regain the amount you dropped when you hooked up.