Does Running Minimum PSI in Air Lift Air Bag Kit Affect Unloaded Ride Quality

Updated 09/02/2025 | Published 08/28/2025

Question:

How do they affect the ride quality when empty on a rough road? Ive used the 8 bag system on a couple Kenworth OTR tractors and the low air/leaf system Peterbilt used for many years, as well as others, and I do know that ride quality in a bobtail with air ride is much bouncier. Im thinking these might have the same tendency as well.a

asked by: Kevin H

Expert Reply:

Hey Kevin, if you were to run the minimum 5 psi requirement in the Air Lift kit part # AL57596 the ride quality would be the same as stock as the bags would essentially be totally empty. The 5 psi prevents the bags from deforming though which is why that's minimum and not zero.

Air ride suspension is different though since the air springs are the sole spring so they will be bouncier than kits like this.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Kevin H.

8/29/2025

When I posted that I hadn't seen the part that mentioned the air bags as being adjustable. That's the difference between a rough ride and the ability to soften the bumps without a doubt. 5 -10 psi might actually help to improve the ride when bobtailing or empty. Thanks for the response.