Should Air Bag Helper Springs Be Inflated Before Applying Trailer Tongue Load

Updated 03/24/2016 | Published 03/22/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3112)

$397.92

Firestone Air Command Standard Duty Air Compressor - Analog - Single Path

(374)

$443.38

Question:

Do you put trailer on then adjust, or adjust then put trailer on. Thx.

asked by: Joe

Expert Reply:

You'd be better off hitching the trailer or loading the truck bed or the vehicle's cargo area before adding or removing air from the system. The trailer tongue weight or cargo loaded in/on the vehicle will cause the rear end of the vehicle to squat. You can then add air as needed to even out the ride height between the front and rear vehicle axles. If you run a consistent trailer load, I guess you could use a tire gauge to determine the proper air pressure, then pressurize the system to that level before hitching the trailer. Keep in mind that Firestone recommends keeping a minimum of 5 psi in the system.

A compressor system like the Firestone # F2158 would make adding or removing air to the system extremely easy. Just hold down a rocker switch, and the system will pressurize or depressurize.

expert reply by: Mike L