Air bag suspension question

[cmturban79]

Bought a used 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD a while back, and we recently purchased a truck camper for it. We also bought a small horse trailer, 2 horse Featherlight stock trailer, GVWR 7000 lbs. When putting brackets on the truck for the camper, I noticed that it had an airbag suspension installed, and followed the airlines to nothing. My guess is that previous owners took the compressor off? There was an extra wire on the wiring harness that I previously didn't know what was for, but I would guess it was for that. Where is a standard place to mount the compressor for these, and how do you control it, or is it automatic? I don't know anything about them, but since we would like to pull the trailer and truck camper loaded, I wouldn't mind getting the airbags going again. Any recommendations on brands? The truck also has two batteries, and not a diesel, is that standard for this model or is one aftermarket to run the airbag compressor?

Another question along the same lines, is that I have a weight distributing hitch for the trailer, but the tongue is too short for the system I have. I am using an 18" shank (which I need to clear the tailgate with the truck camper on) but couldn't use the trunnion bars and there was a little too much bounce for my liking. Is there a different system with shorter trunnion bars, or should I just cut the ones I have down to the length I need? Or do they sell longer couplers for the trailer? Some forums have also mentioned that the air bag suspension is good for sway control, true or false? I'm not sure whether to believe that or not since I have no experience with them.

Any answers or suggestions will get me started. Thanks!

2005 Sierra Extended Cab 4X4 6.0 V-8 53,000 miles Love It!

 

[Smoky02]

You could just run the air supply lines to the rear bumper and connect to a schrader valve mounted thru the bumper. Then it's just a matter of buying a portable 12vDC compressor (that plugs into power point).

I think if you do a little research you will find that the cost of a mounted compressor for these is very high imo.

 

[cmturban79]

Thanks

Thanks! The local truck accessory shop suggested that also. Never even crossed my mind. On further inspection, it looks like each bag has that valve connection, so I'm good to go. My next stupid question is how do I know what psi to inflate to?

With that solved, I took a closer look at my hitch system for the trailer tonight, and it looks like the trunnion bars I have will work, but I won't be able to fit the normal sized snap-up chain holders on. And if I could find a coupler that's about 6 inches longer it would be perfect.