Manual or automatic airbags for your truck?

I put AirLift on my '11 Silverado 1500, manual inflate. Only regret is that I bought mine just before they came out with ones with an internal bumper.
l have to keep at least 5# in mine, with the internal bumper they can be at 0! No worries about damaging them.

If you use your truck for towing a lot then a compressor would be very nice to have. Since you are only using it 10 times a year I would opt not to have the compression.

My previous truck was a 2004 Ram 2500. I bought a toy hauler that was a little too heavy for my payload. After I added the airbag I was able to level out the load in traveling was normal again. When I was not towing (the majority of time, not miles) I would run with the air pressure set at 8 PSI. This kept the axle off of the leaf springs and gave a nice soft smooth ride. When the toy hauler was hitched up I would run it 75 PSI, it kept the trailer perfectly level. If I had my Harley Davison loaded in the toy hauler, I would run it at 55 PSI to maintain level . The extra weight of the Harley on the rear of the trailer created less load on the hitch.

I mounted the air valve on the bumper next to the license plate. This made it very convenient to pump air in or out since I have an air compressor in my shop. This became a normal routine before and after each trip. In my opinion I would not pay the extra money for the compressor. If money is no object go ahead and get it. But it is not necessary.

WNYBob wrote:
I put AirLift on my '11 Silverado 1500, manual inflate. Only regret is that I bought mine just before they came out with ones with an internal bumper.
l have to keep at least 5# in mine, with the internal bumper they can be at 0! No worries about damaging them.

What was your reason for going manual over automatic? Just trying to h at a few opinions on why people pick one over the other?

I got the manual because I couldn't justify the extra expense for the onboard compressor. I carry an air bubble and it works great with minimal cash outlay. I also carry an air compressor to have on hand, so an onboard compressor was a pretty unnecessary expense.

Unless your air lines break or you have other problems, the air bags are not going to lose pressure. I let the air pressure down when we're parked and going to use the truck solo. Then add air when hooking up the toyhauler. When the truck/trailer is parked here at the house for a few days I'll check the air pressure before I move it, and it never loses more than 1-2 psi. max.

Curious how you determine the PSI to put in the airbags. I would think measuring the top of the wheel well unloaded then put your load in the back then remeasure then fill airbags until your back to stock height?

I measure the trailer not the truck. Take a measurement on the frame in the front and a measurement on the frame in the rear. When I get those equal then that is where I want to trailer running level down the highway. That is how I determine the PSI that I need to use. Like I mentioned before adding the motorcycle in the rear of the toy hauler will change the level of the trailer then an adjustment in the PSI is needed.

The volume of air is very small , a bicycle pump works well . On board compressor not necessary unless you must use it a lot ? Or you have money to burn .

I don't mind paying extra if it's that much better. On the other hand sometimes I wonder if I really even need it. My fifth wheel pulls so good now. It's never been sketchy pulling it I was just always under the assumption that you should have them. Do you think there really that necessary if have no towing issues. Or are they more for fixing an existing problem?

I put mine on to level the truck with the toyhauler hitched up, and to get it off the overloads. It only needs around 45psi to get the job done, and with the weight off the overloads the truck rides much smoother.

I had a lighter 5th wheel before this one and didn't need the bags so I didn't install any. KISS.

The only reason I bought airbags on the old truck was when I bought the new trailer it made the truck squat. My new truck is a dually and there is no issue. So why would You need airbags if it's not necessary.