Airbag question about manual fill

[tim1970]

I am getting airbags installed on my truck, but the installer wants another $550 to install the auto fill system. I could really use that $$$ to buy other accessories for my new 5th wheel. (Installing myself is not an option) For people that have the manual fill, what do you use to air up your bags? I own a 6 gallon pancake compressor, but that seems a little heavy and big to bring with me every time. What about a 12v compressor? Would that work? Although on 2nd thought, the pancake compressor would allow me to keep air in my RV and TV tires. What do most of you do?

[JSS]

I have the Air Lift bags and compressor on my '14 Silverado 1500. I've had the compressor on the last 3 vehicles I've owned and wouldn't go back. Before that I had 2 trucks without it. Easy to adjust on the fly and I don't have to carry anything extra. Did take a few hours to install with running all the wires and tube but not bad. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

[Okie1]

I have had multiple trucks with air bags with manual fill, on my new truck I installed the wireless air compressor and I would not do another install without it. You can adjust the pressure on the fly for different road conditions. The install of the wireless compressor is very easy and only takes about 30 minutes.

[GWolfe]

I use a little 12 volt compressor, it will air up my tires as well it just takes a little time.

[Mike_LeClair]

I use a zero-loss hand pump that I bought at a large scale bicycle / outdoor shop. Certainly a tad more $$ than a regular bike pump. Has the zero-loss feature and a built in pressure gauge which makes it more precise for filling the bags. I would be very careful using any kind of powered compressor as the bags fill fast and it is very easy to overfill or burst them.

Cheers!

Mike

[fj12ryder]

I carry an aluminum 5 gallon air bubble. Easy to use, and it goes back in the basement when I'm done. I can fill the bags several times before it needs to be re-pressurized.

[Colo_Native]

FDAER wrote:
If you're talking about something like the Firestone airbags. I use a small hand held bicycle pump. I keep it under my back seat with the bungee cords.

X2 bicycle pump

[tim1970]

Would a 12v compressor be able to air up my truck and RV tires?

[mbopp]

If I ever went the airbag route I'd skip the compressor. I carry a 12V compressor to air up the tires, bicycles, air mattress,and grandkids inflatable float boat.

[harley-dave]

I just carry a small compressor in my storage bin. Have to be careful because they take such a small amount of air its easy to over-fill and damage them.

Dave

[dodge_guy]

The Autofill system just uses a modified portable 12V tire inflator. If you have a 12V inflator for the tires that is all you will need.

[1971duster340]

I wouldn't mess with autofill. Mine never acted right.

[FDAER]

If you're talking about something like the Firestone airbags. I use a small hand held bicycle pump. I keep it under my back seat with the bungee cords.