Air Lift SmartAir

[thompsjk]

Has anyone used the Air Lift SmartAir automatic compressor system for their air bags? I'm trying to decide on what compressors system to get.

Thanks
Jeff

[cummins2014]

Mile High wrote:
After having the Smart Air on one truck, and now the Wireless One on this truck, I've noted that the wireless one will maintain pressure to the selected pressure, rather than just pump it up and forget it. I didn't realize it would do that until after I installed and had a small leak. Every few minutes, the pump would start and readjust. Not the same as the Smart air that works on a magnet switch that maintains a preset level, but maintaining a preset pressure is the next best thing.

I think you answered the best between the two, It seems that the Smartair , and correct me if wrong you have a preset height or air pressure, and no way to change that unless you get under the truck ,and reset the height ???

The wireless, and something I didn't know was that it maintains the set air pressure if there is a loss of air. I have to assume that you can also change air pressure on the fly ?? . That is an option that I had on my previous truck.

[Mile_High]

After having the Smart Air on one truck, and now the Wireless One on this truck, I've noted that the wireless one will maintain pressure to the selected pressure, rather than just pump it up and forget it. I didn't realize it would do that until after I installed and had a small leak. Every few minutes, the pump would start and readjust. Not the same as the Smart air that works on a magnet switch that maintains a preset level, but maintaining a preset pressure is the next best thing.

[cummins2014]

checca wrote:

up2nogood wrote:

checca wrote:
I have the SmartAir system, I installed a digital air gauge in the cab so I can see the air pressure, also two switches. One switch turns the system on and off, since most of the time I found I didn't need it always adjusting the air pressure while driving. The second is a dump valve control, allowing me to dump out all the air.

I love it!

When going to tow I fill the bed with everything we are taking and all the people in the truck, then allow it to auto level. Just switch it off after that and the airbags are picking up the trucks extra load. Hook up to the trailer and go. When you get to the camp ground turn on the dump switch and let the airbags deflate, making unloading and unhitching much easier.

If I tow empty, going to maintenance, wash, etc. I found I only need 5 to 10 psi in the airbags for the best ride. I can get that by allowing the system to auto level, then using the dump switch and gauge lower the pressure to the desired amount.

The second best thing is if you send someone else to pick stuff in your truck, just leave the auto level on and you know they will not have to mess with it.

I fail to see any advantage to the Smartair to start with, and then having to add gauges ,switches ,and additional airlines.,what was the motive, why not just go to the Airlift 72000. No gauges no wiring, and no air lines to run to the cab. Everything is on the remote ,air pressure, deflate ,and inflate. Also you adjust air on the fly if wanted ,and thats a feature that I do want.

My point just trying to understand any advantage to the Smartair, correct me if I am wrong ,but I don't see any.

No air lines to the cab, only four wires total. You have the advantage of always the same ride height with the touch of one button. Along with the control of a manual or wireless system. If you use your truck for more then just your rv, smart air is really the way to go IMO.

PM sent

[checca]

up2nogood wrote:

checca wrote:
I have the SmartAir system, I installed a digital air gauge in the cab so I can see the air pressure, also two switches. One switch turns the system on and off, since most of the time I found I didn't need it always adjusting the air pressure while driving. The second is a dump valve control, allowing me to dump out all the air.

I love it!

When going to tow I fill the bed with everything we are taking and all the people in the truck, then allow it to auto level. Just switch it off after that and the airbags are picking up the trucks extra load. Hook up to the trailer and go. When you get to the camp ground turn on the dump switch and let the airbags deflate, making unloading and unhitching much easier.

If I tow empty, going to maintenance, wash, etc. I found I only need 5 to 10 psi in the airbags for the best ride. I can get that by allowing the system to auto level, then using the dump switch and gauge lower the pressure to the desired amount.

The second best thing is if you send someone else to pick stuff in your truck, just leave the auto level on and you know they will not have to mess with it.

I fail to see any advantage to the Smartair to start with, and then having to add gauges ,switches ,and additional airlines.,what was the motive, why not just go to the Airlift 72000. No gauges no wiring, and no air lines to run to the cab. Everything is on the remote ,air pressure, deflate ,and inflate. Also you adjust air on the fly if wanted ,and thats a feature that I do want.

My point just trying to understand any advantage to the Smartair, correct me if I am wrong ,but I don't see any.

No air lines to the cab, only four wires total. You have the advantage of always the same ride height with the touch of one button. Along with the control of a manual or wireless system. If you use your truck for more then just your rv, smart air is really the way to go IMO.

[Mile_High]

I installed one on my last truck because I could, and I enjoyed having it. It just took care of itself and kept me level with any load.

The only downside is you had to be quick to disconnect the 5er after you used the landing gear to raise the pin box, or the bags would deflate before you could open the jaws and pull down on the pin. The remedy was to just lower the landing gear to the new level, but sometimes a pain it the butt.

[avvidclif1]

Racine96 wrote:
I haven't have the need for. I put air before leaving and have no need to add air in route.

My thoughts exactly. Unless I'm misunderstanding the purpose of the air bags it's to level the truck when hauling heavy. Air up when loaded and leave it alone.:h

[cummins2014]

Racine96 wrote:
I haven't have the need for. I put air before leaving and have no need to add air in route.

Then all you need is a tire pump ,and airbags, good for you.

[cummins2014]

avvidclif1 wrote:
Yep said tire pressure, meant air bag pressure. I still say I'm not going down the road adjusting the pressure.

Mabel did you feel that bump, do I need to change the pressure?

GRIN... Different strokes for different folks

As I said I don't either, but its nice if one wants to. Not sure why that would be an issue with anyone. Mabel is usually happy about the ride.

[Racine96]

I haven't have the need for. I put air before leaving and have no need to add air in route.

[avvidclif1]

Yep said tire pressure, meant air bag pressure. I still say I'm not going down the road adjusting the pressure.

Mabel did you feel that bump, do I need to change the pressure?

GRIN... Different strokes for different folks

[cummins2014]

JTrac wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:

up2nogood wrote:

up2nogood wrote:
Much cleaner install, no need for the controls having to be run into the cab along with the gauge . I had the conventional setup, and it worked well ,but a lot more installation involved. My next will be the Smartair.

After researching the Smartair, I mixed it up with the Airlift 7200 . The 7200 being a remote controlled wireless air system. The Smartair is automatic. It seems that Airlift is also coming out with a fully Automatic Smartair in the spring of 2015, so probably won't be long, so far I have not found them.

Back to the 7200, after having just the airbags to start, it did not take long to realize I wanted more control over inflation, and deflation on my airbags. After about year I installed the compressor with the in cab control ,and gauge. IMO other then the 7200 it is the only way to go. My reasoning is I have changed settings as I travel depending on road conditions. In cab control or the 7200 remote will enable one to do that.

Back to the automatic or fully automatic. Once the height is set on the automatic you are more or less stuck with that setting until you are stopped ,and then you have to get under the truck to reset height ,which will also change air pressure, and presumably height. Anyway thats what I am seeing with the automatic.The only advantage to the automatic is you don't have to have a alternate air source, but still no good way to change air pressures. Fully automatic, which I am only assuming is you have control of the air pressures or height as you travel, but thats just a guess.

Like I'm really going to drive down the road and adjust the tire pressure constantly. Sheesh

This has nothing to do with tire pressure. This is about air suspension systems like AirLift and Firestone produce. And yes the ability to adjust on the fly is important because you can compensate for changes in road conditions. Used right these things can really help smooth out the bumps.

I have a set of AirLifts on my truck and they even help the empty ride with the 5 pounds of pressure I keep in them. I have a WirelessOne compressor with a remote that I am currently using. I also have a Trailer Saver air hitch so I have a second air ride system that makes the ride really smooth. I probably didn't need the AirLifts but I already had them from my prior truck as I took them off before I sold it. I am thinking about getting the SmartAir system to control the bags and hook the WirelessOne up to my hitch so I can control it from the cab.

I apparently don't understand how the Smartair works, the way I see that system there is no way to adjust air pressure . Am I missing something here. If there some way to adjust on the fly, then I'm all for it.

Like I said the Wireless remote makes the most sense. Wireless one or the 72000

[cummins2014]

avvidclif1 wrote:

up2nogood wrote:

up2nogood wrote:
Much cleaner install, no need for the controls having to be run into the cab along with the gauge . I had the conventional setup, and it worked well ,but a lot more installation involved. My next will be the Smartair.

After researching the Smartair, I mixed it up with the Airlift 7200 . The 7200 being a remote controlled wireless air system. The Smartair is automatic. It seems that Airlift is also coming out with a fully Automatic Smartair in the spring of 2015, so probably won't be long, so far I have not found them.

Back to the 7200, after having just the airbags to start, it did not take long to realize I wanted more control over inflation, and deflation on my airbags. After about year I installed the compressor with the in cab control ,and gauge. IMO other then the 7200 it is the only way to go. My reasoning is I have changed settings as I travel depending on road conditions. In cab control or the 7200 remote will enable one to do that.

Back to the automatic or fully automatic. Once the height is set on the automatic you are more or less stuck with that setting until you are stopped ,and then you have to get under the truck to reset height ,which will also change air pressure, and presumably height. Anyway thats what I am seeing with the automatic.The only advantage to the automatic is you don't have to have a alternate air source, but still no good way to change air pressures. Fully automatic, which I am only assuming is you have control of the air pressures or height as you travel, but thats just a guess.

Like I'm really going to drive down the road and adjust the tire pressure constantly. Sheesh

If you meant what we are talking about, and not tires, no I don't go down the road and constantly change the air pressure in my AIRBAGS, but on occasion I have played with the air pressure to see if it helped the ride, and on occasion it has helped.

[JTrac]

avvidclif1 wrote:

up2nogood wrote:

up2nogood wrote:
Much cleaner install, no need for the controls having to be run into the cab along with the gauge . I had the conventional setup, and it worked well ,but a lot more installation involved. My next will be the Smartair.

After researching the Smartair, I mixed it up with the Airlift 7200 . The 7200 being a remote controlled wireless air system. The Smartair is automatic. It seems that Airlift is also coming out with a fully Automatic Smartair in the spring of 2015, so probably won't be long, so far I have not found them.

Back to the 7200, after having just the airbags to start, it did not take long to realize I wanted more control over inflation, and deflation on my airbags. After about year I installed the compressor with the in cab control ,and gauge. IMO other then the 7200 it is the only way to go. My reasoning is I have changed settings as I travel depending on road conditions. In cab control or the 7200 remote will enable one to do that.

Back to the automatic or fully automatic. Once the height is set on the automatic you are more or less stuck with that setting until you are stopped ,and then you have to get under the truck to reset height ,which will also change air pressure, and presumably height. Anyway thats what I am seeing with the automatic.The only advantage to the automatic is you don't have to have a alternate air source, but still no good way to change air pressures. Fully automatic, which I am only assuming is you have control of the air pressures or height as you travel, but thats just a guess.

Like I'm really going to drive down the road and adjust the tire pressure constantly. Sheesh

This has nothing to do with tire pressure. This is about air suspension systems like AirLift and Firestone produce. And yes the ability to adjust on the fly is important because you can compensate for changes in road conditions. Used right these things can really help smooth out the bumps.

I have a set of AirLifts on my truck and they even help the empty ride with the 5 pounds of pressure I keep in them. I have a WirelessOne compressor with a remote that I am currently using. I also have a Trailer Saver air hitch so I have a second air ride system that makes the ride really smooth. I probably didn't need the AirLifts but I already had them from my prior truck as I took them off before I sold it. I am thinking about getting the SmartAir system to control the bags and hook the WirelessOne up to my hitch so I can control it from the cab.

[avvidclif1]

up2nogood wrote:

up2nogood wrote:
Much cleaner install, no need for the controls having to be run into the cab along with the gauge . I had the conventional setup, and it worked well ,but a lot more installation involved. My next will be the Smartair.

After researching the Smartair, I mixed it up with the Airlift 7200 . The 7200 being a remote controlled wireless air system. The Smartair is automatic. It seems that Airlift is also coming out with a fully Automatic Smartair in the spring of 2015, so probably won't be long, so far I have not found them.

Back to the 7200, after having just the airbags to start, it did not take long to realize I wanted more control over inflation, and deflation on my airbags. After about year I installed the compressor with the in cab control ,and gauge. IMO other then the 7200 it is the only way to go. My reasoning is I have changed settings as I travel depending on road conditions. In cab control or the 7200 remote will enable one to do that.

Back to the automatic or fully automatic. Once the height is set on the automatic you are more or less stuck with that setting until you are stopped ,and then you have to get under the truck to reset height ,which will also change air pressure, and presumably height. Anyway thats what I am seeing with the automatic.The only advantage to the automatic is you don't have to have a alternate air source, but still no good way to change air pressures. Fully automatic, which I am only assuming is you have control of the air pressures or height as you travel, but thats just a guess.

Like I'm really going to drive down the road and adjust the tire pressure constantly. Sheesh