Yoda -- VIAIR does make a mounting bracket. See https://www.viaircorp.com/air-access...ountingbracket

Howard

Keith, are you meaning an exterior power port like https://www.hodgesmarine.com/scnsc-1...xoCQNIQAvD_BwE ?

Yes, but I need something capable of 20 to 30A - to run my portable air compressor. This one is only 12.5A However that would work for my chest freezer

Get you a set of plugs and use the DC-DC charger port. Maybe make yourself a WYE connector?

I don't think you are going to find a power socket rated for 300+ watts. I'll have to think about that one.

If you really want weather proof and high current you can go to the Amphenol MIL spec connectors.
Don't forget the screw on cap.

I don't have the compressor. It's no big deal to use the Ryobi inflator, other brands are available, to inflate them prior to a trip.

I have researched myself into the corner, and have a few last questions
Do I need an air pump and controller or even the paddle switches with gauges. (manual system)r or is just having the valves and using a portable compressor as TNFSolitude mentioned?. I guess what I am asking is how many times do you adjust going down the road? I have been reading that once you know your two settings, empty and loaded, its simple to set the bag pressure and go.

Has anyone needed to use the dual path and air the bags separately and how often did that happen?

I am going to install an on board air system to power my air horns and will have an aux pot somewhere I can pull air from. I am looking at this one https://www.viaircorp.com/new/contin...uty-oba-system I just need to decide do I get the kit or just the parts and get the fittings separately - I have all the extras like the filler hose and air chucks.

I will probably get the Firestone bags. I think they are made better. I also like thier mounting system.

So is simple best in this case - just get the bags and used the fill valves and skip the need for a controller?

Thanks
Keith

In my experience, the onboard pressure controller and air pump are a worthwhile addition. The pressure you set before hitching will change with the weight of the trailer and the temperature of the day. I would often hear the a pressure release or the compressor coming on to adjust to the set pressure. Hearlng that compressor come on regularly is a sure indication of a small leak. I would also adjust pressure to accommodate different road conditions. Although, often but the time I found a better pressure match to the road, the surface would change, LOL.

Also, on overnight stops where we would stay hitched, I would use the onboard compressor to level the trailer front-to-back.

Rob

Yoda i think your questions are all based on personal preference. Typically my preferences tend to be on the more expensive side :(

Personally, I prefer a controller with a wireless connection. Easy to inflate/deflate (set your pressure, hit a button then leave while it does it's thing), easy to monitor pressure, and it self adjusts for temperature and load like Rob mentioned. I have several settings depending on trailer and load. But it is not necessary.

As far as dual path or single path, again, personal preference. I doubt many people use a dual path system to vary pressures in the bags, but, to me, I'd rather have it then wish I had it.

As far as onboard air system equipment, I did not want to have any of my equipment in the bed of the truck or cab of the truck. I wanted it hidden away, unseen. Again, personal preference.

You may be overthinking it a bit Make the system you want for your reasons.

I got a bit stuck in the same spot as you and after much back and forth decided to skip the controller or on board air and see how it went without it on our first trip. I have had a couple times that I wished I could change the pressure while driving on a particularly rough stretch of road and also forgot to drop the pressure once after unhooking and going into town, as of now I like the money in my pocket more than the convenience of adjusting airbags while moving!!

I have no dog in this hunt (at this time), but I would probably err on the side of individual adjustment if needed. It's pretty simple to install a TEE between the 2 sides with a valve that you open or close. If you notice one side excessively low, close and add air to that side.

As to auto or manual, on board or external? You already plan to have the air system. The question then becomes hose or plumbing. I prefer plumbing with air backup.

The only reasons for isolating one air bag from the other is if you have a significantly unbalanced side-to-side load in the bed of the truck or are doing high speed cornering . . . neither of which applies to trailer towing. Both bags running the same pressure should be fine.

Rob

I purchased my 5000# Firestone bags from Amazon for $344. I installed them today. It was a much tougher job than I planned on. Some parts didn't quite fit my '16 F350 and need a little friendly persuasion. I used to be a mechanic when I was in my 20's. Now that I'm months away from 70, I have a whole new appreciation for Advil and a warm bath tub. This was an all day job and required lots of contortion work and swearing.

Fortunately, it worked the first time with no leaks.

Jim

I've had the bags on three trucks now and never installed the ability to individually isolate one side or the other. I don't think that's a priority. I would totally vote for the wireless compressor though. Just this past week we camped in Albuquerque, NM for the balloon fest and used my bags on the trip there and home. I adjusted the air pressure after I hooked up the camper before we left, while we were driving to adjust to road conditions, once we got there and I dumped the camper and then the same on the way home. I've tried using an inflator and going that route in the past---the onboard compressor with the remote is the way to go. I personally would not have the bags without the compressor. The small tankless compressor works fine. It takes about 30 sec to inflate from 5psi to 45psi to haul the load and then dumps quickly.

OK I am learning a lot. Now that I have my bags selected is on to the single path wireless controller. I decided the extra cost for a dual path unit is just not needed. Also I will not be tying the bags to my on board air system and have decided instead to keep them separate

Firestone has two that will work. 2610 entry level (100psi), and 2626 next level up.(150psi) Both operated by an app on the smart phone. Mounting separate components is required

Airlift has the 25980 (100 psi). Separate components need to be mounted, and 25980EZ - comes with mounting bracket that has everything mounted and a slightly better compressor (120psi). Both come with a seperate hard remote, or can be run by an app on a smart phone.

Both brands have plug and play wiring harnesses. The25980 EZ mount unit is roughly $200 more then the 25980. Is the EZ mount and slightly bigger compressor worth that?

They are all costing about the same too $450 to $750. The EZ mount models run a bit more. Both brands will require me drilling the frame, unless I can fab up a mounting system using home made U-bolts out of 3/8" all thread.

So thoughts on what to get?

Speaking of making U-bolts. I am using a propane touch (map gas yellow cylinder) and heating the grade 5 all thread to red hot and bending in my vice. Should I quench the bends after, or just let them cool naturally and paint?

Keith

I installed the regular 25980 on the last few trucks and it's worked great. Even with the two components---it only took a few mins to install them both. I'm not sure the mounting ease is worth the $200 since they both are easy but that's just me. I've been quite happy with the 25980 and I use the remote mostly with the preset settings although I do have the app on my phone as well. As far as the compressor...in my mind getting a better, more capable compressor would be based on how often it was running or used. I am a weekend warrior and camp approx 10 weekends a year as well as one or two road trips. I've never worn one out yet or needed to service it. If I was a full-timer or running it all the time---I might upgrade.