Valve location for Ride Rite airbags

I installed my ride rite bags tonight but haven't ran the tubing yet as I am unsure where to mount the valves.

I think mounting on the port for the trailer lights is a poor idea since you could hit the bumper and people have ripped that off

I think drilling the bumper on each side next to the plate is viable. Only issue I see is when the tail gate is down , it can be difficult to air it up

Installing in the gas tank door looks good except I don't know where is best to drill and how you could access it from behind. It looks real tight.

So what do you all recommend? If it is a unique spot, do you have a picture? Could you provide any info on how to complete the job?

Firestone Ride Rite on 2013
DCSB 4x4 TRD Sport

Thanks

 

I'm going to be installing the ride rites on my taco so I've been reading threads related to installations. Many have installed the valves in the storage bins in the bed, some with both left and right in one bin and others with the left in the left bin and right in the right bin. I was leaning towards drilling the trailer plug bracket but am also considering the storage bin option. How was the rest of the installation for you?

 

I installed mine under each of the license plate lights. That way I won't step on them and they are easy to access if the bed is full.

 

On each side of the license plate is where mine were installed after they stupidly put them on the bottom of the bumper first.

 

Mine are in the wheel wells. Drilled a whole in the cross rid under the bed on each side.

 

I am trying to visualize that?

You want it to be where you can get to them easily, put a tire gauge on them to read the pressure, and obviously to easily add (or remove) air.

fwiw, do not go anywhere near the max. rating of the bags... you can actually crack an axle. 45 psi was the most I had in mine when I had a super heavy load. Normally, 15 psi was good, or to 25 for a little extra height/ firmness. Most loaded bed times were at 35 psi.

 

Both in left rear storage bin on front wall. I ran power to the bin also. Bought a cheapo Slime brand compressor to keep in the bin.

 

Left side storage bin. Instead of using a compressor, I stuck a bicycle pump in my tool box. 2 pumps each give them like 60 psi. Then adjust as necessary.

 

It's pretty easy to get to. I haven't had any problems with it. Planning on adding controls for them eventually.

 

Well, how do you know how much air to add without a load in the truck, if you are trying to just return the truck to level? I mean, with the truck loaded, how do you easily access the storage places in the bed? You need to put an air hose to it and you need to put a tire gauge on it to make sure they are both equal.

I would add different amounts of air over the basic 15 psi depending on the load, but I would load the truck then add air to see it return to factory level, or a tad above. Amazing how much higher you feel in the cab when you raise the truck just an inch or so!

 

I guess because I use a short dial gauge, it looks like a terrible place to see what the pressure is, way back in there? What ever works for you...

 

I ran my lines into a tee fitting then used a single valve and mounted it on my trailer plug bracket. Easy access and out of the way.

 

I ran mine so that each valve is under each license plate light. I do have a leak on one side. I set them both at 40psi (just for testing the last few days, to see if they hold, zero load in the rear, drives a little strange) and after 1 day my passenger is down to 20psi. not sure where the leak is at, but i'll have to figure this out one of these nights.

 

Here is where I mounted my air valves.

They are out of the way, yet easily accessible with the tailgate up or down. Their proximity to the license plate lights makes it easy to get pressure readings at night.

 

I'm getting ready to install and also wondering where to place the valves. I would be concerned about obtaining access to the storage bins inside the bed to air up the bags if I had the bed loaded down (ie mulch, gravel, lumber)

 

I have a hitch and drilled a hole in the plate on each side above the square tubing. The valves point down. I originally had them pointed out, but my 265/ 75/ 16 spare was pushing against the lines and I was afraid they would get damaged. Now they're fine. Hit the caps with some black Krylon and they disappear.

 

I put mine on each side of the trailer plug. Havent had any problems so far.