Should Air Bags Be Filled Before Or After The Truck has Been Loaded?

Updated 06/20/2025 | Published 12/30/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1414)

$531.57

Question:

Just installed the load lifter 5000, 1 question I could not find Can the truck be loaded and can air be added or do you put air in first, sorry to ask this question, but, Thanks for your time.

asked by: Dw B

Expert Reply:

That is a great question. The air bags like the # AL88289 should be kept at the minimum of 5 PSI at all times, even when you are not towing. You will then load the truck or hook up your camper first. Once that is done you will inflate the bags to the appropriate PSI. The idea is that you want the truck to be level. So you will load it down, then inflate the air bags until the truck is back to level. You can verify this by measuring the distance between the tire and the fender. Inflate the bags until this distance is equal on the front and back of the truck then you are good to go.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Kurt V.

6/19/2025

Great simple, logical answer. I see so many comments about specific psi they go to, key is truck should be level and same distance in rear from top of tire to bottom of fender as the front.

Jesse M.

6/20/2025

@KurtV Glad you found the answer helpful! There is really no way to give a specific PSI since different truck/trailer combinations can ride differently. As long as you are level you will be good to go!