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When hauling a big load or towing a heavy trailer, rear-end sag can throw off your handling and braking. The Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs add up to 5,000 lbs of load-leveling capacity to your rear suspension. By working between the frame and axle, they reduce strain on your suspension parts and help keep your vehicle level for better steering control, braking stability, and proper headlight aim.
Every load is different, and this setup lets you adjust for it. You can fine-tune each air spring manually, side-to-side, using individual inflation valves. Run higher pressure when towing or hauling to keep things steady, then drop down to 5 psi when unloaded for a softer ride. With the ability to compensate for off-center loads, you maintain even weight distribution and balance no matter what you’re carrying.
These air springs don’t just support weight—they also smooth out the ride. The double-convoluted design with four layers of reinforced rubber cushions road shock and softens contact between the axle and frame so you don’t bottom out on rough patches. The built-in braided wire girdle strengthens each spring’s shape, boosting burst pressure for dependable performance mile after mile.
Durability matters when you rely on your suspension every day. Firestone’s air springs use heavy-duty rubber bonded to corrosion-resistant metal end plates with a rolled crimp seal that locks everything in place. The kit includes custom brackets, air line tubing, hardware, and manual inflation valves so you have what you need to set up a reliable system designed to last through real work and travel conditions.
The construction material of the fittings may vary.
Ratings & Reviews
1st ETrailer customer service/shipping/pricing were excellent (5 Stars here).
Truck is a 2023 F150 4x4 with self aligning head lights.
Have not towed with the air springs yet, so this review is focused on installation (which was bad experience). Instructions are "WAY OFF", u can not follow them!! PERIOD!
1.Bolting on the top plate- no problem instructions are fine.
2.Side brackets for lower plate- in my case really had to work to get the two bolts in the right position for the lower plate. If u slide them to the inside of the leaf spring u bolts they are too close together, so they have to impinge on the U bolts making it tough to get the side brackets in position.
3. There is "NO WAY" u can install the lower plate with the 1/4 bolt installed. So this bolt has to be installed "AFTER" the plate is in place.
4. U MUST trim the brake line/cable bracket. Instructions say "IF", wrong choice of words, u are going to trim it.
5. Then, they sent the wrong bolts for attaching the spring to the lower plate. Sent short flush mount allen drive bolts, should have been a longer Hex head.
What I found to be the easiest way to install was to: leave the 1/4 bolt out of the side bracket, install the lower plate loosely, slip the air spring in, line it up, install the upper jam nut (I wedged the air spring up off the lower plate to engage the alignment pin and snugged). Then push up on lower plate and install the lower bolt in the air spring. Install the 1/4 side bracket bolt and tighten everything up.
PS-- Instructions say to torque the side bracket assemble to 14 ft/lbs. Those 1/4 grade 5 bolts will BREAK. Max torque for a 1/4 grade 5 is ~9, so use 8lbs. I upgraded to grade 8 bolts and torqued to 10.
In summary, Firestone needs to install one of these kits and write new instructions. I would strongly suggest modifying the side brackets, if the legs on these were min 1/4 (3/8 to 1/2 if possible) longer and slotted further to the inside that would help with any interference with leaf spring u bolts and if the legs were long enough, the 1/4 bolt would not interfere with the lower plate.
Excellent customer service! Very knowledge staff and basically have anything you need!
I just unpacked my box filled with air bags for my truck! Great video showing how to install made it a breeze!!
This is my second set from etrailer. They lasted 3years. I do rv transport towing heavy fithwheels to tiny travel trailers. They keep the truck level and rides great. I had to go a week without them while waiting to get home to install. Definitely a huge difference
Researched and found predominantly, Firestone Ride-Rite are top tier. Installation was a little tougher not having a lift, but I got it done and can't believe I didn't do sooner; the ride is better trailering heavy loads and even better just around town.
Install easy. Except running air lines PITA, but seem fine just installed so don’t know about longevity
After reading the commenters before I bought the Ride-Rite Air Helpers. I specifically ran into at least 3 of 4 items I saw people call out from their installs.
#1 Open the package and verify you have the correct nuts and bolts quantities and sizes. Mine was missing one of the flange nuts, 12 needed in that 3/8" size, which I thankfully had in my surplus bolt bin. Also note that the 4 carriage bolts (2 per side) for the bottom bracket to clips will be short on one side of the bracket, both sides of the truck. So have 2 longer carriage bolts in case. The front facing side of the brackets with the clips and brackets flush in position were allowing barely a thread to start the tightening process. So I had some carriage bolts just a 1/2" longer that worked perfectly.
#2 Verify the large nuts that fit the airbag are correct thread. Mine were correct, one commenter had course which didn't work. A 1 1/8" wrench would be perfect for that nut size, but limited area to work around.
#3 Expect the emergency brake cable WILL interfere with the airbag locations on both sides. Expect you will need to reroute to create no rub or pinch points.
Someone mentioned an hour job. Expect many more than that if you're not working on a lift. Jack stands and wheels removed worked well. And the airbag install was easy and quick, 30 minutes for both sides. The extra rerouting and messing with things in your way will be the hardest time consuming part of the whole install. It took me 4 hours start to driving, with MANY neighbor interruptions during the process. I would consider myself better than average 70 year old mechanic and very particular how the airlines and brake cables were routed and realigned. Unless you have lift and nothing in your way, 1 hour could be a stretch.
#4 The instructions worked well, someone mentioned they were tough. I found them easy to follow and the flow worked well. Start on the passenger side to get an easier start point, and remember the heat shield on that side where the exhaust runs. Driver side will have a gas tank cover to hinder wrench access. Wrenches will be the majority of your tools needed. Socket wrench only fit on 4 locations.
As far as the ride. So far I love the solid feel without my trailer installed at 20# PSI level, I might lower it and raise it a little and see what works best unloaded. Leaving on a long road trip soon, so I will be able to see the improvements with a 14000 5th wheel trailer.
Hope this information adds to the other commenters. So far I love the way they feel.
Had to enlarge the holes in the upper brackets plates in order to clear the height of the frame, also the forward facing lower brackets interfere with the suspension stops. The heat shield is right against the muffler and the air bag.will see if the heat melts the air bag
I returned the air helper springs (air bags). These did not fit my early 1999 F250 Super-Duty. The airbag alignment pin did not seat properly into the alignment hole due to contact with the jounce bracket. The upper and lower brackets would contact my shock mount and the manufacturer would not approve modifying them. In addition, the manufacturer changed the brackets to more of a universal style where, rather than bolt "holes", there were elongated "slots" where the upper and lower brackets fit together. I was concerned that over time the brackets would not stay tight in position and would contact the axle mounted hard brake lines. I spoke with the technical engineers at Firestone and they stated they did not have a solution.
Definitely help level the truck back out with the camper, and bed full of firewood cooler. Installed very easily, but it did have a clearance issue with a bracket almost touching the gas tank skid plate. Some grinding down and krylon flat black paint fixed that issue. But the little tacoma still needs heavier shocks to slow the travel down when hitting bumps. Especially bridge joints back to blacktop. In all worth the money, just need to set aside more money for better rear shocks to accommodate. May eventually change them to the cradles to keep flex availability. As well as less issues when putting the truck on a lift for service.
These are very well built, and the installation instructions were clear and easy to follow. I run my Tacoma with a camper shell, and the weight always had the back end squatted a little. These air springs require 5 psi minimum, and I've got 7 in there now, and the level is great. I test drove at 80 psi just for fun, and the truck looked and felt silly. But the real reason I got these is so I can handle loads in the bed and/or tongue weight from trailers. The diameter of the upper and lower disks on the springs is about 4.5 inches. Doing the quick math, the pair of springs will compensate for about 320 lb of load (over the axles) for every 10 psi you inflate. Tongue weights are applied farther back on the vehicle so it works out to about 225 lb of tongue weight per 10 psi given the geometry of my Tacoma. At any rate, these springs will compensate for any conceivable load I'd put on this truck. I'm very happy with them.
Oh, I drilled and installed the inflation valves in the bumper, right under the license plate lights where they're unlikely to get stepped on or have loads dropped on them.
Brackets bent in first few months apparently due to not enough air pressure. Warranty department was cooperative with replacement.
Seems to me a better mounting design could be used. Instructions need some work also but product performance is what to be expected.
I recommend this to anyone with a 3/4 ton that wants stability without adding springs. It works well at giving support when I hook up to the 5th wheel. Before adding the airbags the rear suspension would settle 4 inch or more when hitching up to the trailer. Now I can control how much it settles and I get more stability and a better ride. Good system and not too difficult to install. I would have given 5 stars but I had to make three attempts to get the airlines to seal. The airlines are plastic and are a tight coil and are tough to straighten and install. I had a leak that I finally was able to remedy after several attempts at connecting. This was frustrating but I am still a big fan of this system and highly recommend these airbags. I have run with as much as 60 psi in the bags and have decided that around 40 is about right for my setup. The truck settles about 1-2 inches with about 40-60 psi.
Best airbag kit on the market! Going on 10 years and 160k miles on one kit and a year and a half on the other (two different vehicles). Firestone’s quality is excellent, their customer service is exceptional, and the kit design is simple. Quality components means ZERO air leaks in 10 years when installed properly (cut the airlines at 90 degrees with an inexpensive airline cutter or brand new razor blade). Their mounting brackets are simplified, making more room for the airbag between the axle and frame. And the double convoluted bag offers better ride quality and more suspension movement than a single convoluted bag. I’ve run a single convoluted bag setup from another reputable manufacturer and noticed a marked decrease in ride quality and comfort. I also recommend installing cradles such as those from Daystar (also 10 years on a set) to allow 100% downtravel for maintenance or off-road articulation without fear of tearing a bag. Well worth spending a little more for this USA brand kit over the cheap Chinese copy-cat kits. I tow and haul regularly - weekly, if not several times a week - and these have stood up to snowy sub freezing winters, 100 degree summer days, dusty and gravely off-highway adventures, and general use and abuse that comes from working out of a vehicle for a decade. Can’t find a better kit.
The installation was pretty straightforward, and was managed at campsite with basic tools. It is filled with Milwaukee portable air inflator and has been keeping air pressure set at. We have had good use of it to level truck after loading 5th wheel. I elected to not join both lines together so I can keep individual air pressure in case one had leak but has been fine, I might join them with optional part etrailer offered.
After 1 year and 8,000 miles has been great purchase. All bolt on, no holes to drill, I even placed fill valves in license plate to conceal installation.
Alex at etrailer was excellent as helping us find the correct kit and shipping promptly with great communication and follow up.
Really quite easy installation. Honestly, the hardest part was routing the air line. (that coiled up hose!) I ended up covering the lines with cable wrapping to protect them from any rubbing or scuffing. I also don't have a compatable hitch for the mount, and didn't want to mount them through my bumper in the license plate area because I know I would step on them at some point in time. Product had all the correct parts, high quality, and super happy with it. I wish I had gotten them sooner.
I just installed them and put them to work immediately and I am impressed so far! Installation was pretty simple, and they fit great even with an Old Man Emu 3" lift (7 leaf spring stack). It only took about 15 psi to level up the Tacoma even with 1000 Lbs of feed and a steel high rack on it and they handled that load over 50 miles of some very rough west Texas terrain. They seem to be very well made and heavy duty. Time will tell if they hold up but again, I am very impressed thus far!
I’d really love to give these a 5 star as they massively improved the ride and porpoising of my truck with a fairly heavy truck back camper. We were shorted one bit of hardware in the kit that caused a 1 hour RT drive to the hardware store for a stupid bolt. One of the hex head flange/wedge bolts for the upper mount was missing . Simple ‘miss’ by someone but was annoying . That aside everything g was great.. instructions were clear and helpful… I’d give them a 2 of 5 for difficulty installing.. any weekend mechanic can do this. The truck rides better and is safer now so thumbs up all around except for Mr Bolt pack loader!
Just what my Tundra needed to help balance load of bed and trailer.
etrailer.com and the products they offer are 100% in my opinion.
Thank You for your excellent service and follow up.
Installation was really easy except for the lower brackets that attach to a lip of metal. There was another piece of metal on the axle that got in the way but i pried and then hammered the bracket into place, squeezing it in. If I didn’t I’d still be able to get the bolt through but I bet as I tightened it down it would move the base plate and wouldn’t be lined up as well. No air is leaking so far. I didn’t buy the compressor so I might screw on some Bluetooth tire pressure monitors so I’ll get notified if pressures drop below 5psi. I have a 2023 Chevy 2500 and surprisingly with 15psi and no load in the bed it rides much better! Doesn’t hop all over the place
This installation took twice as long as it should have! The top plate had to be modified to clear the leaf spring U bolts and shock absorber bracket.
The Jounce doesn’t allow the installation of the 3/8@ bolts close the leaf spring that holds the brackets together. I’m not sure what to do with this now. I saw in other reviews where other people had similar issues. Not sure if it’s the universal bracket design vs having slotted holes like your video.
Any help would be appreciated.
Also both valve inserts had to be replaced!
I purchased this Firestone Air suspension and installed it myself on my 2017 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 4x4. Not having a lift, I had to use a creeper and tarps under and beside the truck to do the installation. Installation was pretty straight forward after viewing the video from etrailer a few times and using the provided diagrams. You will need good 3/4" drive hand tools for the installation. An electric or air impact wrench and ratchet also speeds things up. I then installed a mini onboard compressor with remote control for in cab or outside operation. The system has never leaked air but if it did, any time the vehicle is started, the compressor will refill the system. I keep 10 lbs. air pressure in it and raise it to 20 when I haul my dirt bike on my hitch carrier and it compensates nicely and keeps the vehicle level. All good so far.
This the 3rd truck I've used and installed myself of the Firestone 5,000lb rated airbags on, and not one has ever failed on me. I used them on a 2007.5 Chevy LMM 2500 LT Silverado, a 2020 Chevy 2500 LTZ Silverado, and yesterday I put them on my 2025 GMC 2500 Denali. I did pair my new bags with an Airlift wireless compressor, which is an awesome addition to the bags. I like the fact that etrailer did a comparison video on the Firestone and AirLift bags, and they found the Firestone bags are of better quality and can support the weight of the axle if you lift the truck off the ground by the frame. If you have never installed these bags, you do not have to lift the truck off the ground or remove your rear tires. If you're like me, and do not have access to a lift, I suggest removing your spare tire, which will give you more seating area, and you will not bonk your head into it. Two thumbs up on this kit
excellent product, very easy (uncomplicated) install. anyone who is somewhat mechanically inclined can install themselves. It took me about 3.5 hours by myself with simple tools and a jack on my garage floor. Hardest part was me getting up and down from the creeper.
On my truck, (2015 GMC) i had to remove Ebrake cable brackets on both sides and reroute, not a big deal. also, did not find it necessary to remove spare tire heat shield, worked around it just fine. Routed my schrader valves through the plate screw holders for easy access.
Received the air shocks in a timely manner. Had them installed yesterday and they make the rv ride much better
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Condition: Surface Scratches
Notes: {Parts are scratched and scoffed up all over, otherwise should be fine
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