Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Air Lift System

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Air Lift System

    Has anyone installed the air compressor with the Air Lift System? Are you happy with it? Any trouble? The vendor I’m talking with recommends not installing the compressor. He runs the air lines back to the license plate area so a portable compressor can be used to add air. I have a Vair compressor.
    Mike
    27RL 5th wheel Reflection.

  • #2
    Hi Mike,

    I have the on-board compressor and really like the convenience. I can add or remove pressure to suit road conditions and the system automatically adjusts to maintain set pressure as temperature or elevation changes. Using a manual fill means that the pressure you set on a cool morning will be quite a bit higher in the heat of the day. When I disconnect from the trailer, I can set airbag pressure to 5 psi with the push of a button so the back of the truck does not lift and then when I reconnect for towing, the other preset button takes me back to normal towing pressure.

    The wireless onboard compressor system comes with its own compressor, but I run it off my Viair compressor instead. (fills the bags in about 1/4 the time . . . not that this is important) Took some wiring changes and a relay for the airbag controller to tell the Viair compressor to come on, but was not difficult to sort out.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
    2015 Reflection 303RLS
    2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
    Bayham, Ontario, Canada

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Mike,

      I have the Airlift wireless compressor and the Firestone airbags (designed for a 4x2). One button to set for the RV and one button at 5 PSI for empty. Very easy.

      I think the ride with the RV is much better with the airbags. I once forgot to set them and at 5 PSI there was a significant difference.

      Best,

      Charles
      2021 Solitude 310 GK-R. 2020 F-250LB, 7.3L, 4.30, Reese 27K

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Crespro View Post
        Hi Mike,

        I once forgot to set them and at 5 PSI there was a significant difference.
        I have also done this . . . and completely agree with Charles.

        Rob

        Cate & Rob
        (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
        2015 Reflection 303RLS
        2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
        Bayham, Ontario, Canada

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Mike Burns View Post
          Has anyone installed the air compressor with the Air Lift System? Are you happy with it? Any trouble? The vendor I’m talking with recommends not installing the compressor. He runs the air lines back to the license plate area so a portable compressor can be used to add air. I have a Vair compressor.
          Mike
          27RL 5th wheel Reflection.
          I disagree with your vendor. I, too, have the system Charles is describing and it works great. If the vendor installs the system correctly there will be an manual way to add (or remove) air anyway, so why not get the compressor? Being able to add or remove on-the-fly is a great convenience.

          One quick example. I pulled into my daughter's driveway today and it is quite steep. To keep the back of the trailer from scraping I removed all the air from the bags (and disconnected the WDH) thus allowing the rear of the truck to squat, raising the rear of the camper. Once the trailer was on the driveway I added air back into the bags (with a push of a button) to raise the rear of the truck so the WDH hitch didn't impact. If I'd had to add and remove manually it would be a nuisance.

          FYI, if you go the VIAIR route I suggest getting one like Rob has and not the RV 450P. I am not a fan of how VIAIR positioned the pressure switch and it's IP rating is not high enough to survive outside. (I know from first-hand experience!) If you want to know more, read https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...owing-30a-fuse

          Howard
          Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

          2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

          Comment


          • #6
            I have the manual fill at this time and it works well. I routed the shraders right through my license plate. I believe the on board compressor would be a major convenience item and would also help to find the sweet spot while traveling. Most likely I will add the compressor.

            Jim

            Comment


            • #7
              I have the airlift wireless onboard compressor with the airlift bags. It was an easy installation (about 2 hours for the bags and 2 hours for the compressor). With the wireless system you have a remote that has 3 presets. I have one set to 5 psi, one set to 20 psi (for my small trailer) and one set to 45 psi (for my larger trailer). You can also download an app for your phone and control the compressor from your phone.

              It is a dual path system as well. Each side can be set to different pressures which helps with an uneven load.

              In my opinion, the airlift compressor is perfect to fill bags...but would not recommend for filling anything else. It has a terrible duty cycle and doesn't push a lot of air.

              Even with the compressor installed you can place tee's in the airlines and have a manual fill option (routed to your license plate if desired) which is recommended in case the compressor fails.

              I do prefer the airlift bags because they come with a bump stop inside the airbags. It just makes me feel better
              Allen

              2021 Momentum 21G

              Comment


              • #8
                Rob,
                I have the VIAIR 400P compressor. Where did you install your unit on the truck? The VIAIR is holding up in the weather okay? Did you purchase the compressor package without the compressor? With your setup, can the compressor also be used to fill tires on the truck and trailer?
                Please excuse all the questions. Really debating this as the vendor wants basically another $1,000 to install the compressor package. I have a 2019 Chevy 2500

                mike

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thank you all for weighing in with excellent advice.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Mike Burns

                    Hi Mike,

                    I mounted the wireless controller below the bed above the spare tire. It is reasonably well protected and waterproof anyway. The air lines to the bags and the emergency fill at the rear bumper connect to this controller. I powered it by spicing into the wires to the trailer connection. I put the original compressor in the upper right rear corner of the bed. I had planned to use this compressor to fill tires and such, but it soon became apparent that with its 25% duty cycle it was not going to fill much more than a bicycle tire or an airbag.

                    Plan B: I mounted the Viair compressor in the same location. Reasonably well protected. Under the tonneau most of the time or under the 5th wheel overhang when towing. Originally, I was using the bumper air connection and the airbag controller to fill tires. This worked for topping up a tire, but I came to learn that the Airlift controller times out after about a minute. (Likely protection against a blown air line or bag).

                    Plan C: I wired a parallel 12V line to the compressor with a switch. See post 2 of this thread https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...ard-air-system The normal position for the switch provides power from the Airlift controller and the air side is connected to the airbag system. I have a quick connect air attachment at the compressor, so attaching that to my air hose and using the switch gives me access to the Viair 100% duty cycle.

                    I had some problems early on with air leaks from the fittings supplied by Airlift. Replaced these with better fitting and things have been fine ever since.

                    Rob
                    Cate & Rob
                    (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                    2015 Reflection 303RLS
                    2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                    Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Mike Burns View Post
                      Rob,
                      I have the VIAIR 400P compressor. Where did you install your unit on the truck? The VIAIR is holding up in the weather okay? Did you purchase the compressor package without the compressor? With your setup, can the compressor also be used to fill tires on the truck and trailer?
                      Please excuse all the questions. Really debating this as the vendor wants basically another $1,000 to install the compressor package. I have a 2019 Chevy 2500

                      mike
                      $1K? For the part? A quick search turns up the Air Lift compressor for <$400. https://www.truckspring.com/products..._AIL25980.aspx

                      The rest of the work is required regardless of the compressor used. You'll still need 12v to the compressor, lines tied in, etc. The $1K must cover the install and everything else needed to make it go.

                      I think what's being lost in translation is that Rob (and I...based off his experience) was substitute the VIAIR in for the Air Lift compressor. We bought the entire Air Lift kit and use the Bluetooth controller to add or take away air in the bags.

                      As previously mentioned, my VIAIR failed due to the insufficient IP rating (for where I installed it) and the configuration of the pressure switch in the VIAIR RV-450P. I now use the Air Lift compressor and it's fine for the task, as air is rarely added or removed. It's run time is sufficient to fill the bags to 100 psi (from 5) without stopping. I have a separate (new) VIAIR that's only used for filling tires.

                      If you're going to use the manual fill on the Air Lift bags, my .02 is to store the VIAIR inside the truck so it lasts longer. If you're going with a compressor, have the installer install the Air Lift kit with the bluetooth controller.

                      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                      2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I had VIAIR installed on my Tacoma with airbags. Mine had a remote, no Bluetooth. It was great being able to adjust the support without having to get out of the truck. I had a vendor install it.


                        John
                        John & Jurie

                        Caretakers for Coco and Daisy

                        2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
                        2021 Imagine XLS 22 RBE


                        2014 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport
                        ​​​​​​​2021 Transcend 260RB
                        2017 Jayco 26BH
                        2020 Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108 FBS

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Recently ordered the Airlift 5000 Ultima airbags and the EZ 74000 compressor system. They shipped the airbags. Unfortunately the blue tooth compressor is in backorder due to electronics not currently available. The customer service rep told me there was no date for the electronics and they were telling customers 6-8 weeks even though they really didn't know. I canceled my compressor order and got my money back for the compressor.

                          The airbags are installed with the valves coming out on the left side of the license plate area. I too have a viair inflator that I installed into my 337rls forward compartment right next to the the battery. It's in a good position to not only inflate the bags but also add air to the 5th wheel tires.
                          Charles and Susan
                          2021 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi, 4x4 CCSB
                          Andersen Hitch
                          2021 Reflection 337rls

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I use the Airlift 5000 stainless version with braided hoses. No leaks where the performance of these bags is excellent for use on the bottomless Michigan roads.

                            Jim

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Rob, thanks for the detailed installation notes. Thanks everyone for all the input.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X