2500 vs 3500 - Handling the Load

transamz9 wrote:

IdaD wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

IdaD wrote:

Greene728 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
You already made your choice but for others deciding, a 3500 with factory bags is the way to go. Truck sits at the perfect ride height no matter the load right up to max RAWR.

Opinion only. I didn't want the bags and my truck rides and handles the loads applied to it effortlessly. And unloaded ride is outstanding IMO for a 1ton truck. And it's one less thing I have to worry about later down the road.

I'm not really a fan of bags either. I don't like how they attach on both ends and limit suspension travel, and they're not always reliable. Timbrens limit uptravel but not droop, and they're basically failure proof, so to me they're a better solution where needed. But I doubt OP will need anything for his setup.

I'm sorry but you have it all wrong. The bags don't limit travel. I have had a 2013 3500 without bags (same as you) and now have a 2016 with bags and believe me the bags make it effortless compared to the steel spring only set up you have. Also , IF a bag fails or the system quits working then it becomes a suspension just as capable as the one on your truck that don't have bags.

Another benefit to having the auto level is that it saves the landing gear on coaches that have the electric landing gear. You drop the legs, put enough pressure on them to remove weight from the truck and then pull out. There's no jacking the 5th wheel up 2-3 inches to pull the truck out just to have to turn around and lower it back down to get it level.

They sure can limit travel. A lot of guys run limit straps with airbags to protect them.

I use a Andersen ball setup on my fifth wheel so my landing jacks are screwed regardless, although I don't know why the landing jack thing gets brought up so much - a lot of times when you're not on even terrain you have to jack a bunch to get the trailer level regardless.

Not on a street truck. On my 3500, the steel springs limit my travel. So with the anderson instead of having to lift it 5-6" you would have to lift it 3" to clear the ball. I know my old landing gear was SLOOOW and always sounded like the battery was ready to give up at any time.

Now with my 2500 that I have that is total air no springs, I very seldom even had to use the landing gear. I used the truck to level the 5th wheel front to rear.;)