Air Lift 5000
- Illona Lucas
- Region Leader
- Posts: 449
- Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:36 am
- Location: Pennsylvania Shrewsbury
- Cardinal Owners: 2008 35 ft SB
- Location: Pennsylvania Shrewsbury
Air Lift 5000
We are having these installed on our f 350 on Friday at Camping World do any of you know anything about these? We hope we are makeing a smart move. Our helper springs ride on the rubber stoppers on the frame when the bird is loaded. We thought the air bags would help. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Illona
Illona
Bud and Illona
2008 35SB W/Trailair
Six Point Level Up System
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Air Lift 5000 Air Bags
2008 35SB W/Trailair
Six Point Level Up System
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Air Lift 5000 Air Bags
-
- Posts: 682
- Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:13 pm
- Location: North Carolina, Clayton
- Cardinal Owners: 2010 Cardinal 3150RL
- Location: North Carolina, Clayton
Re: Air Lift 5000
Hi, I put some on my 04.5 Dodge 3500 this summer after towing my new (to me) 3150 RL. Without the Air Lifts it seemed like my front end was loose and I had trouble holding the road. THere was a dramatic difference (improvement) with the Air Lifts.
I started with 35 lbs but have reduced it to 20 lbs where I seem to tow best. When not towing I drop it to 5 lbs.
My brother has Air Lifts and pulls his 30ft travel trailer with 45 lbs.
They took me about 3.5 hours to install as I don't have a lift. Not hard... once you do one side of the truck
The hardest part is crawling underneath the truck and removing the tires.
Best of all, my SO thinks the truck rides remarkably better with the Air Lifts.
Bet you will like them too.
Keith
I started with 35 lbs but have reduced it to 20 lbs where I seem to tow best. When not towing I drop it to 5 lbs.
My brother has Air Lifts and pulls his 30ft travel trailer with 45 lbs.
They took me about 3.5 hours to install as I don't have a lift. Not hard... once you do one side of the truck

Best of all, my SO thinks the truck rides remarkably better with the Air Lifts.
Bet you will like them too.
Keith
r/ Keith & Sher
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
- jjames1942
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:38 pm
- Location: Washington Vancouver
- Cardinal Owners: 2006 30TS
- Location: Washington Vancouver
Re: Air Lift 5000
I had airlift air bags installed on my 3500 Dodge Ram about two years ago at Camping World. I was having the same problem as you. At first I would put 30 lbs in the bags, but soon realized that about 20 lbs worked best. The bags have worked well, and I have had no problems with them. I would highly recommed then. 

Jerry & Bonnie James
2006 Cardinal 30TS 5th Wheel
3500 Dodge Big Horn Diesel
Banks Exhaust Brake
Airlift Air Bags
2006 Cardinal 30TS 5th Wheel
3500 Dodge Big Horn Diesel
Banks Exhaust Brake
Airlift Air Bags
- WVcampers
- Posts: 1192
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 4:46 pm
- Location: West Virginia Pocatalico
- Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3250RL Luxury
- Location: West Virginia Pocatalico
Re: Air Lift 5000
I installed them on my 08 2500 Dodge and it made a big difference. I don't see any reason to put them on my 2011 F350, but my trailer is not as large as the one you are towing. My helper springs are on the rubber when the trailer is hooked up. That is what they are supposed to do, if they do not sit down on the rubber then they are not working.
Randy & Carol
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW
- Traveler II
- exempt member
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- Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:25 pm
- Location: Minnesota Lindstrom
- Cardinal Owners: 2008 30 TS
- Skype ID: User name: janestonge46 (iChat only)
Skype name: jane-stonge - Location: Minnesota Lindstrom
Re: Air Lift 5000
Four years ago we had "Smartair Air Springs installed before we took delivery of our Cardinal. I've never pulled without them, they came with a self leveling system and built in compressor. I wish I could add air and did not have the self leveling option, but it is what it is. I'm use to it now, but I ride a bit higher than I would like.
Jim & Jane
2014 Ford 350 King Ranch, Trailer Saver BD3 Air Hitch, IS Suspension, Disk Brakes
Nights camped in 2012: 142
Nights camped in 2013: 186
Nights camped in 2014: 185
Nights camped in 2015: 232
Nights camped in 2016: 165
2014 Ford 350 King Ranch, Trailer Saver BD3 Air Hitch, IS Suspension, Disk Brakes
Nights camped in 2012: 142
Nights camped in 2013: 186
Nights camped in 2014: 185
Nights camped in 2015: 232
Nights camped in 2016: 165
-
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:18 pm
- Location: Moore, S.C.
- Cardinal Owners: 2003 33 ckt
- Location: South Carolina Moore
Re: Air Lift 5000
I jst done my 2wd f250 myself, bought them through Advance Auto online, used a $70 off code and got the, shipped to the door for like $204. I think the 5000's r lil over kill, the 1000's would work fine and probably not as tough to install. Mine didnt jst bolt right up though. I jst bought a 2003 33ft cardinal and i ran with 60lbs first trip. Now my 10 ply Bridgestones look half flat on the truck w 70lbs on air in them.
Donny, Heather & Madison Osborne
2004 F250 6.0
2003 Cardinal 33ckt
2004 F250 6.0
2003 Cardinal 33ckt
- Retcop
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:50 am
- Location: Wisconsin Marshall
- Cardinal Owners: 3150RL LX
Ford F250 Diesel - Location: Wisconsin Marshall
Re: Air Lift 5000
I installed them on my F250 and pull a 3150RL. Without the airbags the front of the trailer would bound on the big bumps but rides real nice with the airbags and 40 psi. You are making a wise choice. 

Pat (Air Force Retired)
(State Patrol Retired)
Candy (State Patrol Retired)
2010 3150RL
2009 Ford F-250
(State Patrol Retired)
Candy (State Patrol Retired)
2010 3150RL
2009 Ford F-250
- Illona Lucas
- Region Leader
- Posts: 449
- Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:36 am
- Location: Pennsylvania Shrewsbury
- Cardinal Owners: 2008 35 ft SB
- Location: Pennsylvania Shrewsbury
Re: Air Lift 5000
Thanks everyone for you replies. We had them in stalled at Camping World in Winchester VA. We drove home to PA and Bud said the truck handled like a car. They had 30 lb of air in them. Bud said he noticed a realy big difference , we are very happy with them so far. Our next trip out will be in Nov. to Gettysburg Pa. hope we will still be happy with them. We also had the stablizers the arms but on the four leggs of the bird I was tired of being sea sick on land. I dont think our boat rocks that much. So this trip out was a little expenseive for us but it was well worth it. Can't wait to try it out.
Thanks again for all your input.
Bud and Illona
Thanks again for all your input.
Bud and Illona
Bud and Illona
2008 35SB W/Trailair
Six Point Level Up System
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Air Lift 5000 Air Bags
2008 35SB W/Trailair
Six Point Level Up System
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Air Lift 5000 Air Bags
Re: Air Lift 5000
Hope you had a great time. How was the campground? Sorry, we did not get a chance to meet you.
- Illona Lucas
- Region Leader
- Posts: 449
- Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:36 am
- Location: Pennsylvania Shrewsbury
- Cardinal Owners: 2008 35 ft SB
- Location: Pennsylvania Shrewsbury
Re: Air Lift 5000
Ron, campground was a bit of a challange, they put us in a spot that was way to small. The front of the bird was in the middle of the road and the back was over the fire pit. We called the Mgr. to come down and look at it, people were shakeing their heads telling us that someone before us had the same problem and left. The Mgr. wanted to put us on a hill in the grass, Bud told him no way we would sink. But in the end they found us a new site on a hill. It was fun for Bud to back into, but all was well and we had a great trip. Hope next time we all can meet. It is a beautiful area and we enjoyed it very much.
Bud and Illona
Bud and Illona
Bud and Illona
2008 35SB W/Trailair
Six Point Level Up System
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Air Lift 5000 Air Bags
2008 35SB W/Trailair
Six Point Level Up System
2006 Ford F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Air Lift 5000 Air Bags