How do I use air bags?

[subversive]

Hi all. We recently traded our Sierra in on a 2010 3/4 ton Yukon, as we wanted the extra passenger capacity. The previous owner had installed air bags and a compressor. Can anyone tell me how best to utilise these? I put some air in them a few times, the compressor seems to work fine. We haven't de-winterized our trailer yet, so I haven't had the chance to see if they make a difference in towing feel. The one concern I have is a friend who has air bags in his truck says it's a good idea to keep a bit of air in them all the time so the bags don't accidentally get pinched between a spring or something. The thing is, if I put any air in, then the compressor will start up at any time to keep the pressure up. Even if the Yukon is off, which worries me about draining the battery. So should I let all the air put whenever I turn the Yukon off, and is there anything to the springs/pinch theory? Thanks.

[mpierce]

Gemstone wrote:
"Air bags are meant to support "in bed" payload, such as a 5th wheel hitch or a pickup truck load of gravel or something"....

all that payload weight you say the air bags "support" is directly transferred to the axle, wheels and tires, thus air bags really support nothing.
No additional capacity is gained by the use of air bags, and other than to be able to level the truck (improve ride) when heavily loaded, they serve no purpose.

Regards
Gemstone

Which is EXACTLY what the OEM springs do. I guess the springs "support" nothing too then.

If the axle is rated to carry more than the springs, and the tires are rated to carry more than the springs, wouldn't higher rated springs "support" more capacity? Just like OEM puts heavier springs on the same axle with bigger tires to get a higher load rating?

[Gemstone]

"All I stated was that airbags help keep the vehicle "level" when their is increased payload"....
sorry, I did not see that anywhere in your post. Just felt I needed to clarify, as lots of folks incorrectly assume that air bags will increase payload capacity.

Regards
Gemstone

[APT]

I cannot think of any uses of air bags in a 2007+ 3/4 ton Suburban for RV towing. I would remove them. 🙂 I would also inspect your receiver for any damage as it is only rated for 600 pounds of TW without a WDH. I suspect the previous owner may have been overloading it if he thought he needed air bags.

They do increase the ride height and stiffen the axle on which they are installed. Using air bags complicates WDH adjustment.

[spoon059]

Gemstone wrote:
"Air bags are meant to support "in bed" payload, such as a 5th wheel hitch or a pickup truck load of gravel or something"....

all that payload weight you say the air bags "support" is directly transferred to the axle, wheels and tires, thus air bags really support nothing.
No additional capacity is gained by the use of air bags, and other than to be able to level the truck (improve ride) when heavily loaded, they serve no purpose.

Regards
Gemstone

I never said that the airbags provide additional payload or capacity. All I stated was that airbags help keep the vehicle "level" when their is increased payload. I am aware that the weight is transferred to the axle, bearings, wheels, and tires. The airbags take the weight off the leaf springs, allowing the truck to ride higher rather than "squat" due to weight on the springs. In the future, please take the time to read my whole post before you try to "fix" what you "think" is wrong.

Regards
Spoon059

[Gemstone]

"Air bags are meant to support "in bed" payload, such as a 5th wheel hitch or a pickup truck load of gravel or something"....

all that payload weight you say the air bags "support" is directly transferred to the axle, wheels and tires, thus air bags really support nothing.
No additional capacity is gained by the use of air bags, and other than to be able to level the truck (improve ride) when heavily loaded, they serve no purpose.

Regards
Gemstone

[MO_Trout_Bum]

Think I would find out the minimum recommended PSI for your air bags, and maintain at that level to prevent any damage to them. You shouldn't need any more than that with a 3/4 Yukon, unless you're hauling a lot of weight in the vehicle.

[spoon059]

I would guess you don't really need them. Air bags aren't meant to support weight for a traditional bumper pull trailer. Thats what a weight distribution hitch is for.

Air bags are meant to support "in bed" payload, such as a 5th wheel hitch or a pickup truck load of gravel or something. Unless you have a lot of gear in the SUV or heavy passengers, you should be managing your weight with your WDH.

[subversive]

I don't know if I need air bags, necessarily. They came installed so I figured I might as well understand them and how to use them.

[APT]

Why do you think you need air bags? The receiver limit of 1000 pounds is well under its payload. Most of the payload inside it should be centered over the axles.

Shocks, it needs. Springs/air bags? I don't think so. I can tow my TT with about 750 pounds without WD between home and storage. This is something that could not be done with my prior half ton.

[subversive]

I'll spend a bit of time playing with them tonight or tomorrow and will post back with more questions or info when I can. Thanks all!

[KD4UPL]

What brand air bags are these? My Air Lift bags require a min. of 10 psi at all times. Others are 5 psi apparently.
My set up has a built in pressure switch that will turn on the compressor anytime the pressure drops below 10 psi. This ensures I always have the minimum in there.

The trick with air bags is to add the minimum amount of air necessary to support the load and stabilize the vehicle. Too much air and lots of bounce and sway will occur. Too little and the suspension may bottom out on bumps. On my truck 25 psi will support the load fine but on bumps it bottoms out. I have to run 40 psi to prevent bottoming out but then it sways more than at 25 psi.

[tgreening]

You're probably going to have to do some digging. Your compressor shouldn't be kicking on when the vehicle is turned off. Main power should be an ignition switched source, hot only when the key is in the on/run position.


You may or may not have a leak. If the compressor kicks on a lot, maybe so. If it just kicks on now and again, that could be nothing more than ambient temperature changes which will affect the pressure in the bags, causing them to dump and/or fill erratically.

When I hook up my toy hauler, which has a very heavy pin, the compressor will cycle on numerous times before settling down. Compressing air causes it to heat up, which raises the pressure. As it cools the pressure drops, and the compressor kicks back on to raise it again. Mine will generally kick on and off 2-3 times after I hook up.

[subversive]

I have a white and a red arm on the dial. What does each mean?

[Gemstone]

If you are losing air, then check for leaks with soapy water....repairing leaks is easy. You should keep a minimum of 5 pounds of air in the bags, more as appropriate when towing. The sole purpose of air bags is to keep your tow vehicle level.

Regards
Gemstone