Which Should be Set Up First Air Bag Pressure or Weight Distribution

Updated 01/12/2026 | Published 09/03/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle

(1760)

$479.99

Bulldog Winch Portable Air Compressor - 100 psi - 1.2 cfm Maximum Air Flow

(80)

$54.99

Question:

Hi, my name is Cliff. I just purchased the AL57132 from etrailer. I had it installed on a 2001 ford excursion. I have been using a weight distribution system for towing a travel trailer. Normally I would hook the truck up to the camper, raise it up high , put the WDS on and then raise the stand. Now with the air bags, how should I do it ? Also, I didnt install the onboard compressor, could you recommend a portable one. Thanks

asked by: Clifford R

Expert Reply:

Hey Clifford, so in your situation what you'll want to do is inflate the bags with the amount of air you want in them first and then set the WD system up after that. So you will end up using less spring bar tension so you'll need to make some tweaks.

Jacking up the trailer first will still help with the install of the spring bars.

Then for a portable air compressor the part # BDW41001 would work great.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Jameson C.

1/12/2026

Hey Cliff, how did things go using your LoadLifter 5000 air bags with your weight distribution setup on the Excursion? Did the Bulldog portable compressor make it easy to dial in the right pressure? Your feedback could really help others towing similar trailers.