Airlift 5000

cmysstailights · April 18, 2016

Put it to good use today. Had to get rid of a ton of brick,Belgium blocks and concrete. Loaded up truck, leveled out automatically. Went to scale and could have sworn he said i weighed 9100 lbs. My truck is a 14 cc standard bed high country.

Truck drove awsome. Felt the load but she took it, now i figured i was at 2000 to 2300 lbs with passanger. But from the scale i was close to about 3000. Does that sound right?.

No issues stopping, driving even engine temp was normal. I do have intake and run e85 but doubt that would matter.

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Jon A · May 1, 2016

The bags are amazing, aren't they? The way they allow the truck to handle safely and ride well when loaded--even heavily--makes the truck so much more useful for actually being used as a truck. That said, I wouldn't recommend putting too many miles on at 9100 GVW....your axle bearings, etc, probably will wear quickly. But it's nice to know you can if you need to in a pinch.

Do you have a self-leveling system? If so, which one and how do you like it?

Panik · May 1, 2016

I love my set of air lifters! Makes life a lot more comfortable towing heavy. I was genuinely surprused at how much a difference they have made in towing. They're are probably close to the top in regards to the upgrades I have done - makes handling much more stable at the upper end of the tow range.

I've been looking at upgrading from manual fill to one of the in cab wireless controllers. So far it seems like etrailer seems to be the most competitive in pricing. However, I would really like to pick and choose the components so that I could get a medium cycle compressor and a small air tank without purchasing stuff I don't need or getting raped on pricing.

cmysstailights · May 1, 2016

I have smart air self level. Love it. It adjusts automatically.yeah didnt think i was that much over but i was lol. Doubt i will ever be that loaded again.

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Jon A · May 2, 2016

I'm glad it's working well for you. Do you have it set up with a single sensor or dual? Do you find the pump coming on all the time when driving offroad, etc? I'm curious how well it works mainly for the sake of others--I cobbled together my own mechanical system but not many are that ambitious so if this system works well with few downsides it could be a good option for many people.

I've been looking at upgrading from manual fill to one of the in cab wireless controllers. So far it seems like etrailer seems to be the most competitive in pricing. However, I would really like to pick and choose the components so that I could get a medium cycle compressor and a small air tank without purchasing stuff I don't need or getting raped on pricing.

It may have been just bad luck or the fact I go offroad a lot (mud, water, etc) but I went through two different wireless control systems eventually having both of them die on me. That experience made me fond of direct connections and the ability to mechanically override a system if/when it dies and wary of any system that relies on wireless pressure sensors to control things (the Smartlevel does not).

Panik · May 2, 2016

John - Good point about the wireless systems! I don't off road but could see durability being an issue down the road. I'm definitely not opposed to cobbling together a system myself. Heck I've already built and installed an aux. power distribution system installed (6 relays, 2 fused), why not a home brew compressor control system.

You make a very good point about having a manual override (dump/fill) option. Any chance you would be willing to share a bit more about your system? I can't remember seeing a thread about it. As I said, one of the reasons I was looking at wireless was due a dislike of running wires into the cab. To be honest, I can live with that issue. The real pain for me thus far has been trying to find a decent looking in cab control panel and mounting location. At leas with the wireless units they are digital and relatively unobtrusive. If I went wired I'd like to do a pillar pod mount but I have yet to see one and I would think that it would create problems with the pillar airbags.

cmysstailights · May 3, 2016

I have the single stage. It goes on when a load is in the bed. It does on occasion go on when the truck is angled in the driveway, but its has to be a pretty steep angle.

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Rkaroll953 · May 3, 2016

How do these kits hold up over time as far as getting covered in salt in the winter and rubber dryrotting? ive wanted a system since i got the truck but havent pulled the trigger. every time i load the truck i hem and haw between an air lift system or an add a leaf

Scott Sroufe · May 3, 2016

How do these kits hold up over time as far as getting covered in salt in the winter and rubber dryrotting? ive wanted a system since i got the truck but havent pulled the trigger. every time i load the truck i hem and haw between an air lift system or an add a leaf

Go with bags! I had bags on my 3/4 ton for over 3 years and the bags still looked new when I took them off when I got the new pickup. I also live in SD where we have crappy winters with salt and gravel put on the roads.

Jon A · May 6, 2016

You make a very good point about having a manual override (dump/fill) option. Any chance you would be willing to share a bit more about your system? I can't remember seeing a thread about it.

Yes, I've been meaning to write a thread about it but just never got around to it. I'll try and gather up all the part numbers and various pics I took over the next week or so and put up a thread. It's nothing complicated, it sounds like it would be cake for you.

I have the single stage. It goes on when a load is in the bed. It does on occasion go on when the truck is angled in the driveway, but its has to be a pretty steep angle.

That's good to know. It sounds like a good system. I suppose there's no reason one couldn't simply wire a switch at the power source to "kill" the system for rock crawling purposes. I eventually put a on/off solonoid on my system for that reason but a simple power switch should be easier for anybody who wants that capability.

How do these kits hold up over time as far as getting covered in salt in the winter and rubber dryrotting?

They're very durable. They're pretty much all made by Firestone using the same bladder-type design they use for the big rigs. I don't think I've ever heard of one failing that wasn't damaged by something physically poking a hole in it or being pulled apart by somebody with a lift (there's a fix for that too for lifted folks).

cmysstailights · May 6, 2016

Yes, I've been meaning to write a thread about it but just never got around to it. I'll try and gather up all the part numbers and various pics I took over the next week or so and put up a thread. It's nothing complicated, it sounds like it would be cake for you.

That's good to know. It sounds like a good system. I suppose there's no reason one couldn't simply wire a switch at the power source to "kill" the system for rock crawling purposes. I eventually put a on/off solonoid on my system for that reason but a simple power switch should be easier for anybody who wants that capability.

They're very durable. They're pretty much all made by Firestone using the same bladder-type design they use for the big rigs. I don't think I've ever heard of one failing that wasn't damaged by something physically poking a hole in it or being pulled apart by somebody with a lift (there's a fix for that too for lifted folks).

All you would have to do is put it on a switched 12v, tap off of ine of the upfitter switches. I grabbed a switched 12v ignition

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