I've got both: a gauge with air lines in one pickup and the SureSet in the truck that hauls the TC. Both were about the same difficulty level to install. Both my compressors are installed underneath the truck. One is installed on the body panel underneath the tail gate. The other is bolted to a frame crossmember about mid-chassis. I use RideRite in the TC truck and Airlift bags in the other.
I used a bicycle pump for years too but when I transferred the AirLifts to my new truck I installed the dual gauge load controller. I also installed overload contact extenders so I can adjust my ride with the camper on from a full airbag cushy Citroen like ride to a very firm and stable full on overloads or anything in between.
I mounted the compressor underneath the rear cab floor on the driver's side. If I were to do it over I think I would move it aft and mount it somewhere not directly attached to the cab so you wouldn't hear it. Not that it's much of a problem because it's not running very often. The AirLift controller also has regulators that will automatically keep both airbags at or above the minimum (which is 5 psi for the heavy dutys)
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually
We also have a 'truck' that FLYS
Our 2008 trip to The Canadian Rockies
stickyeye wrote: I used the SureSet digital in cab controller on mine. It maintains pressure automatically within 7lbs. of your setting and you only need to run wires into your cab, no air lines. Seems they have replaced this with an even newer wireless system that looks pretty slick - Wireless Controller
Sticky
At ~$350 a pop for either the SureSet or the newer WirelessAIR units, I think I am happy to stay with some air lines coming into the cab.
I got my SureSet for $300 and with a 40K+ truck and 30K camper I figured what's another few bucks. I would guess the gauge type are probably around $150 so it wasn't too big of a leap in price. Besides, the OP didn't ask about cheaper pricing. You think your happy with your system where I know I am happy with mine. Besides Don, looking at your sig it looks like you have dumped some heavy coin into your toys too so it seems your no stranger to the need vs. want struggle, just spent our money on different things.
* This post was
edited 05/16/08 05:32am by stickyeye *
1150 AF Truck Camper, gen-set, pretty well loaded
Torklifts, superhitch w/48" extension, firestone air bags, energy suspension bump stops, fast guns
2005 Ram Quad Cab 3500 Dually. CTD, auto, 4.10's
stickyeye wrote: I used the SureSet digital in cab controller on mine. It maintains pressure automatically within 7lbs. of your setting and you only need to run wires into your cab, no air lines. Seems they have replaced this with an even newer wireless system that looks pretty slick - Wireless Controller
Sticky
At ~$350 a pop for either the SureSet or the newer WirelessAIR units, I think I am happy to stay with some air lines coming into the cab.
I got my SureSet for $300 and with a 40K+ truck and 30K camper I figured what's another few bucks. I would guess the gauge type are probably around $150 so it wasn't too big of a leap in price. Besides, the OP didn't ask about cheaper pricing. You think your happy with your system where I know I am happy with mine. Besides Don, looking at your sig it looks like you have dumped some heavy coin into your toys too so it seems your no stranger to the need vs. want struggle, just spent our money on different things.
Come on Sticky ... I made no comment about your not being happy with your system, nor how you decide to spend your money. The OP asked about a Firestone Ride-Rite set up, and that's what I responded to ... simple as that. The OP can of course do whatever she wants and spend whatever amount of money she chooses to. In my case, the bags went in first and I manually filled them from Schrader valves mounted in the rear bumper. I got tired of that manual approach, so I had the Firestone add-on kit installed that included the compressor, tank, gauge type in-cab controls, and all the plumbing parts. The entire installed cost (parts & labor) for the compressor, tank, and controls was $400. I don't specifically know what the gauge-type control cost in my set-up, but my guess is that it was $100 or less and it works well and is very readable. So, to pay for a wireless/remote gizmo that costs perhaps 3 times more than a hard-plumbed gauge set-up is not the choice I'd make, despite whatever coin I have otherwise dumped into my toys. Doesn't make me right and you wrong or vice versa. It's simply a choice that anyone is free to make and I expressed my opinion about it once I looked into the wireless/remote approach and costs.
I have installed a few air-lift systems over the years. The first ones with the air lines in the cab, then the second ones with just the wires, and last night the first wireless one. I'm not sure of the cost, but I would think it is worth the extra money. The wireless one saved a lot of time from the installation end.
'07 Lance 1131
'04 Weldcraft Sabre
'06 F-550 PSD-4DR-4WD Rear air-ride and a Gear Vendor
TSJA wrote: I have installed a few air-lift systems over the years. The first ones with the air lines in the cab, then the second ones with just the wires, and last night the first wireless one. I'm not sure of the cost, but I would think it is worth the extra money. The wireless one saved a lot of time from the installation end.
Ditto from moving from air lines to just wires. I haven't tried the wireless yet, (and hope this is my last truck as the upgrade stuff is getting tougher). Anyhow, I found a major change in the availability of plumbing routing space/dash space availability from my 2002 to 2005; I would think if that trend continued; the wireless would be a major advantage on the install.
By the way, my first compressor was mounted outside the cab below the left rear passenger seat. After 3 years, I was starting to pick up corrosion on the compressor and solenoids. The sure set compressor looks brand new mounted inside the cab under the left rear passenger seat.
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