Firestone vs. Air Lift - Is there an advantage in terms of mounting lo

Mossyoakglock · April 20, 2012

I wasn't sure if this needed to go in the Towing section or here so please move it this is not the right place.

I know there are a multitude of posts on air bags (Firestone vs. Air lift) but I have a question that I could not seem to find the answer to. It seems that both kits are quality kits and many people here have been running both with no problems.

The one question I could not seem to find an answer to is this...

Since the Firestone bags mount on the axle pad inside of the shocks, and the Air Lift kit mounts to the rear of the leaf spring, is there an advantage to one over the other? I know one has a higher capacity but is that just because the Firestone mounts to the axle vs. on the spring?

I don't see much of a disadvantage to the Firestones being mounted where they are, but is there an advantage or disadvantage to the Air Lifts being mounted on the leaf spring.

What are advantages/disadvantages between the two in terms of where they mount? Is one mounting location better than the other?

Also, I would to run the lines into a T-fitting so I can air both bags up equally. Is there anything wrong with doing that. I know a few people on here have done it that way. Firestone's instructions even state that you can install a t-fitting.

Thanks!

thinkgreen216 · April 20, 2012

im not sure about advantages or disadvantages between the two but I personally have the Firestones and have loved them. They right great and do an awesome job of towing my 25' camp trailer. When I was installing my bags (which is really easy BTW) I decided to go with the T fitting because I didn't want to waste my time going back and forth trying to get the correct pressure in each bag. Honestly I think you'll be happy either way. Good luck in your decision!

Mossyoakglock · April 20, 2012

I figured I can't go wrong either way just wasn't sure if there was any advantage to either one on how they mount.

From what I read, the only issue that can come from using a t-fitting is that when the truck rolls, air from one bag can transfer to the other. That got me wondering, do they make a t-fitting that has a valve type setup that would keep the air from transfering but still allow me to inflate/deflate the bags? But again, Firestone says you can install a t-fitting so it can't be bad to do.

BlackZ71Silverado · April 21, 2012

IMO the Firestone bags are a better quality and have a great reputation.....I would not go with the Airlift bags if I were to get them. For some reason, they look cheap to me and I don't like how and wherethey mount.

Mossyoakglock · April 21, 2012

How the Air Lift mounts was my only concern. Something about them mounting to the rear leaf spring does not seem as good as where the Firestone's mount.

There are a lot of people that run both systems with no problems so I'm just going to do a little more research. If anybody else has any other input, I would love to hear it.

BaysideDenali · April 21, 2012

Just had the Airlift installed. Single nipple too- sits right next to the trailer light. Tech preferred Airlift from an install standpoint. They look good to me where they are and integrate well with the wheel liner. They had to cut the liner, but all is tidy.

Mossyoakglock · April 22, 2012

Just had the Airlift installed. Single nipple too- sits right next to the trailer light. Tech preferred Airlift from an install standpoint. They look good to me where they are and integrate well with the wheel liner. They had to cut the liner, but all is tidy.

How do you like them overall? Have you towed anything with them yet?

BaysideDenali · April 22, 2012

I haven't towed yet. I'm happy with them. Lifetime warranty, so no worries here.

c4cruiser · April 28, 2012

I had installed AirLift bags on my old 99 Silverado and they did a very good job for towing. On the early GMT800's, I think you had to drill a hole on each side of the frame but it wasn't a difficult thing to do. I did the install myself and it only took about 30 minutes per side including jacking up the truck and removing the rear wheels. The bottom of the bags attached to the spring but it was next to the U-bolt so there was no real load away from the OEM attaching point of the spring to the axle tube.

When towing my car trailer (5600 lbs and about 600lbs tongue weight) I filled the bags to about 30psi which kept the rear at the unloaded height. When cruising, I kept about 5psi in the bags. IIRC, AirLift recommended that some air be in the bags at all times.

I didn't use a T-fitting, but I ran both lines and air fill valves up to the gas filler compartment. That way they were hidden from view by the filler door and they didn't get clogged up with dirt.