Air Lift 5000 Ultimate Airbags

[lawdog1]

I am looking to put a set of Airlift 5000 Ultimate Airbags in the rear of my 2012 2500 4x4 Crew Cab very soon. I am just doing the bags to start and would like feedback from people who may be using this particular air bag now. I may add a compressor, ping tanks and remote control later but for now it will likely be just the bags with manual fill. A few questions (besides just general feedback on how folks like these bags, pros/cons, good vs. bad experience),...suggestions on where to mount the air fill (rear bumper area, fuel filler area, etc.), suggested psi for running empty, suggested psi for initial running with load (8K towing typically, 1K-1.5K in bed....not usually in conjunction w/ towing). Any concerns with drilling the frame for the mounting brackets for the bags....I plan on having the install done professionally but the airlift dealer, I am a bit of a "shadey shade tree" mechanic and get nervous when doing potentially damaging structural modifications to frames and such. I don't know that it matters but I also expect to have silver bilstein shocks at all four corners of the truck. Also, do folks see any issues/concerns with doing the bags with manual fill first and then potentially adding a compressor, ping tanks, remote at a later time, maybe a year or more from now?

Thank you for your comments and input.

 

[lawdog1]

Nobody is running Airlift bags? How about using their wireless remote and 100% cycle compressor? I would like some feedback positive or negative if anybody has any.

 

[Tryingit]

I've been running airlift 5000 bags for over 9 years in two different trucks. I've never had a problem with them. In the first truck I first used the manual fill system. I used to carry a bicycle air pump and manually inflate them. The problem was that I had to keep stopping and making adjustments until I was satisified with the ride. I've since used (in both trucks) the on board air system (later in the first truck). While traveling on different highways with different loads a pound or two of air (either increased or decreased) can make a world of difference. I've always purchased the cheapest air system I could find. I figured since I don't always use the system I could go cheaper. I've never had a problem with this setup. I've also used the single path system to inflated both bags at the same rate. Unless your going to haul odd loads which may require more air on either side. I've notice that newer generation bags don't require you to keep the min of 5psi in the bags, you can deflate them fully. But if you add say 10psi it helps eliminate the bucking from the rear that occurs as you travel over uneven roads. I usually drill small holes in the bottom lip of the fenders (both sides) in front of the wheels to insert the valves. This way if you should ever have an unequal load you could compensate. Otherwise you could just tee both lines at the rear or any other place you might want to install the valve. with this first picture I removed the pieces from the factory bracket and did my own install. The compressor was just a small square box that was easy to hide somewhere under the truck. I tow a 12k 5th wheel and used between 30 and 40 psi. Now with the road master active suspension I use about 8-10 psi. But like I said depending on the road you may have to keep inflating or deflating to maintain the "nice" ride.

This picture you can see the small compressor on the right side behind the horns (which have a different air system and tank).

 

[TJJEEPER]

Sorry, just saw this thread...
I've had the Firestone bags on my 06 3/4 ton and I now have the AirLift on my 12 1 ton (sig truck).
Hands down the Firestone bags were a better bag. Sturdier mounts and about the same install labor.
Both installs used the manual individual inflate switches.

The Firestone kit came with the compressor but with the AirLift I worked with the vendor and upgraded the compressor to a 100% duty cycle and added a 2 gallon tank for on-board air.

I've looked into the wireless a little. I THINK you can buy JUST the switching setup and add it to any airbag set up. I'm thinking about doing that with my setup. Of course this will be a little more money.

Last, I've discovered I was putting too much pressure with the one ton. I was putting 40~50 lbs and found the front of the 5er was too high. Now I run less than 20 lbs and the rig tows level.

 

[handtools]

I have the Air Lift Ultimate bags and Wireless One controller on my truck and am very happy with the setup. I tow a 12k fifth wheel and run around 25 psi and the rig sets level and tows/rides fine. I also put a manual fill valve in the fuel fill. I like the fact you can run these bags with 0 psi if you want as they have an internal jounce bumper. Hope this helps!

 

[Ozymandias]

Do the Ping-Tanks, I can tell you it makes a huge difference in ride quality.

 

[handtools]

"Any concerns with drilling the frame for the mounting brackets for the bags....I plan on having the install done professionally but the airlift dealer, I am a bit of a "shadey shade tree" mechanic and get nervous when doing potentially damaging structural"

I'm not sure what you mean by this, I installed my system and there is no frame drilling involved, it is a bolt on kit. The only holes you would have to drill would be for the air fill valves.

 

[lawdog1]

Thank you for all the input and handtools you are correct no drilling was required. Bags, compressor and wireless remote were installed last Friday. I have attached photos of the mount position of the bags which concerned me until I called Airlift and reviewed the install instructions. This offset is reported as proper and as designed for Ram 2500's and will not impact bag life or performance loaded or unloaded. Good to know and glad there is a lifetime warranty on the bag should the design prove problematic. Overall I am very pleased with the setup and really like the wireless remote.

 

[lawdog1]

Photos are inverted...sorry about that, dont know how that happened the are upright on my camera phone.