Should I consider an onboard air pump??

renojack wrote:
I am considering a FW with a pin weight of 2000 lbs.
My vehicle is a 2016 Ram 2500 diesel with a rear axle of 6500 gawr. I plan on installing firestone air ride bags.
My question is how practical is the extra expense for blue tooth controlled pump when the use is seasonal and not daily movement??.

Whats practical, only you can answer that. My first set of air bags I went about a year doing the manual thing. Well after a year, I changed my mind. I prefer having the compressors. What you need to keep in mind is you need to maintain 5 psi, is that something you want to do every time you get in the truck ,check air pressure in your airbags ?? If you fail to do so ,and they happen to lose that air ,well then you going to ruin a set of airbags running them flat.

My first set I installed the in cab gauge ,and control, and it was pretty easy setup, and had the air pressure at a glance to see the minimum 5 psi when not towing.



My present set I went with the remote control set up ,no electrical or air lines to run inside the cab, even a nicer setup. With that setup it automatically keeps the preset air pressure. It is also programmable. There has been many times I have change the pressure 10 psi while towing to improve the ride on certain road conditions.

You want to deal with outside source of air, go for it ,and see how you like it, I didn't. Well worth the extra cost to me, but only you can decide that, not this forum .

As far as airbags , as some have said ,you might want to tow that fifth wheel a couple times ,and see how things go . You may want them ,you may not.

mtofell1 wrote:
Overkill for your situation - I have the same truck, Firestone bags and a slightly heavier 5th and do just fine with a portable compressor/battery jumper. I honestly don't need the bags as the coils on the Ram do great but a bit of extra support is nice. It just stiffens up the hinge between the truck and trailer. I usually run between 30-40 psi in the bags. I've never even slightly considered wanting to adjust while on the fly.

Yes and No, the OP likely will not need air bags. So no need for an air compressor. That said when we moved to the 2016 from the 2001 with PacBrake powered by compressed air. It also gave me air for my truck horn, inflate tires, and run my air powered Brad and staple drivers. My on board air compressor and tank fit in the space between the frame and outside sheet metal, so no lost storage space, and much stronger 12 volt compressor. With 2.5 gallons of 150 psi air I can also operate my impact wrench. It isn’t always about the least expensive solution.

Overkill for your situation - I have the same truck, Firestone bags and a slightly heavier 5th and do just fine with a portable compressor/battery jumper. I honestly don't need the bags as the coils on the Ram do great but a bit of extra support is nice. It just stiffens up the hinge between the truck and trailer. I usually run between 30-40 psi in the bags. I've never even slightly considered wanting to adjust while on the fly.

For the first several years, I carried a 12v cheapo under the drivers seat and I ran the bag airline under the seat, also. It wasn't as handy as simply turning a valve to adjust the bags but it was still really nice to adjust them while going down the road. Craig

I have a lightweight aluminum air bubble that can hold up to 120 psi. That is good to fill my airbags about 5 times. Since most Firestone air bags can hold up to 100psi, a high pressure pump is no big deal. About 55 psi levels the ride out just fine.

FWIW I've never felt the need to adjust the air pressure while moving. I use the airbags to level the trailer and get the truck off the overloads, don't know why I'd want to adjust that while traveling down the road. Air ride suspension is a horse of a different color.

wanderingbob wrote:
The volume of air in an airbag is less than many bicycle tires . If you are only gonna do a couple times a year I would not spend three or four hundred dollars on an on board compressor . Maybe buy a kayak or fish pole ?

Too hard for me to run along side the truck and put air in or take air out of the air bags for the conditions of the roads. And the ol lady will not sit on the bumper and do it. :B

That makes the decision of a compressor an easy one.

And while you're at it WB. Take that electric tongue jack off of your trailer.

My sentiments exactly. I may get a viair 12 volt pump for trailer tires too. The bid for bags and pump was over 1900 installed at a local truck accessory shop.

The volume of air in an airbag is less than many bicycle tires . If you are only gonna do a couple times a year I would not spend three or four hundred dollars on an on board compressor . Maybe buy a kayak or fish pole ?

time2roll wrote:
I would see how it goes. Add the air if needed.

100% agree!!!

I have a blue tooth compressor system and I would not do with out it. Had it for 2 years or so. I use it a lot. I can adjust it with my phone or my fob.

Blue tooth gives me the option to adjust to road conditions on the fly.

If you live where they put salt down I would protect the compressor as much as I could from it.