Are Internal Jounce Bumpers Worth It With Air Lift Air Bags on a 2025 Ford F-350?

Updated 08/12/2026 | Published 08/06/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1532)

$643.99

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1532)

$643.99

Question:

Hi. I’m going to be buying some air bags in the next few weeks. Do you recommend internal jounce bumpers? 2025 f350 CCLB 4x4 I pull a 15k fifth wheel 10-12 times a year. Not a daily driver. I’m looking at the air lift bags

asked by: Brian S

Expert Reply:

Happy to help Brian,

With a 2025 F350 crew cab long bed 4WD pulling a 15K 5th wheel, I'd go with the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate that includes the internal jounce bumpers.

The standard LoadLifter 5000 and the Ultimate both provide up to 5,000 lbs of load leveling support, so the jounce bumper isn't there to give you additional capacity. Its advantage is providing a progressive backup spring inside the air bag. It helps absorb harder bumps, reduces the chance of bottoming out and provides temporary suspension support if an air bag ever loses pressure.

For your situation, you're only hooking up the fifth wheel 10–12 times a year and the truck isn't a daily driver, but when you do use it you're putting a substantial load over the rear axle. That's exactly where I'd spend the little extra for the Ultimate version. The internal jounce won't normally be doing much when you've got the bags properly inflated, it's there when the suspension needs that extra layer of support.

For a 2025 F350 SRW 4x4, the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate is # AL29DQ. If your F350 is a dually, the Ultimate kit is # AL23DQ. Both are compatible with in bed 5th wheel hitches.

Do you have a single rear wheel or dually F350 and what fifth-wheel hitch are you running?

expert reply by: James D

Wade P.

8/11/2026

I installed the Air Lift 5000 last December. Have worked great. I pull a 16k camper and have about 5000 miles on the air bags

Dave

8/11/2026

Hi Brian, I installed the load lifter 5000 with internal jousts on my 2023 F250 lariat tremmer 4 x 4 crew cab short box. I tow a 30 foot Arctic Fox camper and multiple pieces of equipment from cat 236 D3 skid steers all the way up to 305 mini excavator and they work amazing. I did not buy the internal air compressor. I chose to do the manual fills and bought a Milwaukee handheld air compressor. The reason I went this route was I could use the air compressor to fill up tires on my job trailer, surf boat, trailer, camper trailer, and any vehicles. This system works really good for me. They were a very straightforward install. I watched the YouTube video a couple times before I did the actual install.

Roland D.

8/11/2026

James, I purchased a set of Air Lift 5000 for my 2024 F250 about 18 months ago. I travel cross country pulling a 2023 Airstream 25 foot travel trailer. I also installed an ARB twin cylinder air compressor which I located in the bed of my truck which supplies air to an onboard aluminum three gallon air tank. The ARB compressor is powered via factory up fitter switch. Would I purchase the Air lift 5000 system with internal joust again, absolutely. Would I purchase the ARB air compressor system again, better believe it. Absolutely no issues thus far. I installed 100% of the system myself with no problems.

James D.

8/11/2026

@RolandD that's a nice setup! An ARB twin compressor feeding a 3 gallon onboard tank gives you plenty of flexibility, especially when you're traveling cross country with the Airstream. Even better that you've had 18 months with the whole setup and no issues. I appreciate you jumping in and sharing your experience. Do you use that onboard air for anything else while you're traveling or is it primarily dedicated to the Air Lift bags?

Roland D.

8/11/2026

@JamesD The on board air system is used for everything pneumatic. Truck tires, trailer tires, kids swimming toys, bicycle tires, you name it. Even use it to blow out the bed of the truck after hauling loose material. My truck is equipped with the factory 120VAC power supply system, which would power a small 120VAC compressor like a Dewalt pancake compressor, but I like this built in system. I placed the air tank pressure regulator/air pressure gauge in the trucks glove box for easy access so anyone can easily set the air lift 5000 system to the proper pressure setting as we travel down the road. The Airstream rides perfectly level with the truck when set to 40PSIG. The air tank holds air pressure as long as you need it to. No leaks, no worries.

James D.

8/12/2026

@RolandD that's getting your money's worth out of an onboard air system! Truck and trailer tires, bikes, swimming toys, cleaning out the bed, you've pretty much got everything covered. I really like the idea of putting the regulator and gauge in the glove box too, anyone can easily make an adjustment without having to dig around for anything. Thanks for sharing and if you have any questions in the future, let us know!

Bob B.

8/11/2026

I have this same model on my 2024 F350 XLT extend the cab 8 foot bed. I tow a toyhauler and it's night & day. I recommend it and I would use the one with the remote where you can adjust the air as you're driving down the road.

James D.

8/11/2026

@BobB That's great feedback, especially coming from another F350 owner pulling a toy hauler. I like your point about having the compressor and remote too, being able to adjust the bags without stopping and getting out of the truck makes the whole setup that much more convenient. What size toy hauler are you pulling behind the F350?

Paul H.

8/11/2026

I have been using the LoadLifter 5000 air springs for over a year. Have about 2500 miles on them pulling a 13K 35 foot fifth wheel. They work great! No complaints at all when towing. This product has fully met my expectations and more. Rear bed sag completely eliminated. There are a few negative points to consider. Product specs recommend keeping the air springs at 10-15 psi when not towing to help maintain the air spring life. This results in a stiffer, more bumpy ride when not towing and doing regular city or highway driving. Similarly, after disconnect at campsite be prepared for very stiff ride if keep air springs inflated at towing PSI while driving around for day trips etc. I keep a portable air compressor in my truck and deflate after disconnect and reinflate when connecting to alleviate this problem.

James D.

8/11/2026

@PaulH That's great real world feedback! Completely eliminating the rear sag with a 13K fifth wheel is impressive and I appreciate you mentioning the tradeoff in unloaded ride too. Keeping that portable compressor in the truck sounds like it's become part of your routine, air down after you unhook and air back up before hitting the road. Have you ever considered adding an onboard compressor so you can make those adjustments from the cab or do you prefer keeping the setup simple with the portable compressor?

Paul H.

8/11/2026

@JamesD Appreciate suggestion for on-board compressor. That would be nice for the air springs but . . . main reason I keep Viair 450 P-RV portable compressor with me is to be able to keep both tow vehicle and 110 psi fifth wheel tires properly inflated in addition to the air springs. On board compressor wouldn't address trailer tires or truck tires. Anyhow this set up works so I am good.

James D.

8/12/2026

@PaulH That makes perfect sense! With 110 psi fifth wheel tires, I can see why the Viair earns its spot in the truck. Having one compressor that can handle the truck tires, trailer tires and the air springs is pretty hard to beat. Thanks for sharing and if we can help with anything, let us know!