Air bag question

[Americamper]

How often do you have to add air to air bags?

[jimh406]

The Firestone bags I've had have kept pressure during trips on either motorhome or truck. I usually only check them at the beginning unless the rig seems uneven. In one case, I found that a stem was leaking. After I tightened it, it never leaked again. I'm still unsure about why it started leaking. It hadn't been touched for years other than setting pressure until it leaked.

[billtex]

I set mine in the spring time. Check them every trip. Have not had to add any air yet this year...

Also added SS's this year...the bags aren't doing much any more. One is at 10 psi, the other at 15 psi just to level things out a bit.

The SS's are the bomb...

[wsdepa]

Mine don't lose pressure, even on a 10 week trip. The problem with checking them frequently is, because of their small air volume, you will lose several psi just by checking.

[Joe417]

My driver side leaks down in about 3 or 4 weeks. Check for leaks and found none, so must be the bag.

The passenger side has never leaked.

[Super_Dave]

And anyone that can feel the difference in a couple pounds of pressure in the bags has some special kind of backside.

[HMS_Beagle]

All of the Firestone bags I have had lose some air over time. Checked for leaks. They are just like tires, they have some permeability. I typically lose a few PSI over a couple of weeks, more if there is lots of pressure in them, less if they are only 20 psi or so.

[Reddog1]

I too have the on-board compressor which takes care of a small leak on my driver side air bag. It fills automatically when the bag looses a couple of pounds from my setting.

I have had bags on previous trucks, and managed to locate and fix all leaks. Without the in-cab controller, I prefer to locate my air fillers under the dash, close to the driver door. This location allows me to fill or release air from the driver seat without dealing with rain and wind. I gives me the option of servicing outside. I would use a small air compressor that plugs into the cig lighter. Each bag with its own filler.

Wayne

[Super_Dave]

How long are your camping trips? I usually check my air bag pressure, along with the tires, just before I leave on my trip. I've never added air during a trip with 3 weeks being about my longest trip.

[bobndot]

They have been known to seep air , especially in older designs like 2004 or so , where the line goes into the fitting . Sometimes they leak when filled to 70-80# and only leak down to 40-50# and then stop leaking. The line might not be seated just right .
You could try to fill them up to 80-90# then spray the fittings with a soapy water solution and look for bubbles. That might find a leak.

As mentioned using an on board compressor is the easiest way to handle it.
Installing the fill valves at a location where it's easy to fill certainly makes life easier.
Some people install the valves inside the fuel fill door.

[KD4UPL]

Never if they don't leak and your load never changes.
One of the great things about air bags is their adjustability. I run mine at the min. 10 psi when the truck is unloaded. If pulling a trailer with lots of tongue weight I'll put in 20 psi or so. With the TC on I run about 40 psi. I have the on-board compressor and gauges so adjustment is easy.
My right back or plumbing has a very small leak that's not worth finding. The compressor just airs it back up once in a while.