Airbag Fitting Location

[jetrinka]

Hey everyone. I am getting ready to install a set of bags and daystar cradles. I was wanting to get some ideas about where people have been putting the filler fittings. There is a plastic square in the bumper near the license plate I could drill some holes through. I was also thinking about the square holes where the 3rd DOT tail light on the dually trucks hook up.

Planning on a totally manual setup with two fill valves and no dedicated compressor.

Just seeing what people have done.

 

[G Mcpherson]

I used that Plastic Plug next to the Plate. Easy access.

 

[LateToTheParty]

I originally considered those square holes as well, but I then figured I'd scratch the tailgate whenever I went to air them up.

Instead I drilled out the holes where the rear license plate mounts and use the schrader valves to hold the plate on now.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

On most truck i have set them up behind the fuel door no corrosion that way i also usually tee them and use a single valve 1/4” line wont transfer the air between bags fast enough to have an issue

 

[elephantrider]

put them in place of the top license plate bolts.

 

[flan]

IF I decide to do them (I’m following RCD’s sumo thread) I was thinking of only doing one and T’ing them like hell sniper mentioned. Seems like less effort to fill and guaranteed equal psi in both.

 

[jadmt]

IF I decide to do them (I’m following RCD’s sumo thread) I was thinking of only doing one and T’ing them like hell sniper mentioned. Seems like less effort to fill and guaranteed equal psi in both.

except under certain conditions like side hilling you can have a problem especially with a heavy load.

 

[flan]

except under certain conditions like side hilling you can have a problem especially with a heavy load.

Good point weight transfer would send air to the other bag. I’d only air up pulling my 27’ travel trailer, or equipment trailer. I don’t know if any terrain I’d be able to pull either trailer down would be too extreme.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

except under certain conditions like side hilling you can have a problem especially with a heavy load.

1/4” line with 1/8 opening in the air fittings does not transfer air fast enough to make a difference i have always put a tee in my air lines and never had an issue even with top heavy loads…

 

[jetrinka]

Well I got it all done. Didn’t take any pics but so far so good. The Daystar cradle install was actually the most tedious part - getting them as close to the same on both sides. I think I got it pretty good though.

Ended up using the square holes in the back of the bed under the tailgate for the air fittings. It worked well to run both lines almost vertical from the bags up over the frame -> over spare tire -> right to the valves at that location.

Hooked up the trailer and leak tested again and ended up having to remove/clean the connections at the air filler fittings again. Not really any “for sure” bubbles with soapy water but my OCD got the best of me. It’s easiest to drop the spare tire to access this location BTW.

Overall I’m happy. It takes 40PSI in each bag to bring the back of the truck to unloaded height on each side. Tows really nicely. Overall I am happy.

Just gonna let it sit overnight and check the bag pressures in the morning to ensure no leaks.

The Airlift kit is nice. Very good directions. The only pipe fittings are the ones that connect the bag to the air fitting. The rest are compression.

I think I’m happy

 

[Icky]

Here's where I put mine, it's a bit of a reach if your not tall though. I have a 5th wheel so my tailgate is already down.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

except under certain conditions like side hilling you can have a problem especially with a heavy load.

With your theory it would be impossible to have my 5th wheel hitch setup with all 4 bags on one line if what you were saying was true not hear say then everytime i pulled forward or braked my hitch would pivot forward and backward from weight transfer… also most compressor setups for bags are tied in together before the compressor…

 

[jetrinka]

I’m happy. Let the truck sit overnight with the trailer hooked up. Got up this morning and didn’t notice any difference visually. The bags only decreased 1.5 PSI each - all due to small volume and air temp decrease. No leaks!

Drove it again and I’m super happy with it.

 

[jetrinka]

One more update - be sure to tighten the fittings tighter than you’d think. Took everything out for another shake down and leak checked again and definitely got a few tiny bubbles from around the line fittings.

You have to go freaking ham on those things. It’s crazy but no more bubbles. Makes me wish all the connections were pipe threads - never had an issue with some Teflon and pipe threads… oh well