3500 Ram factory air suspension

I would hope from 1997 thru 2018 they would have developed better air bags and you also said light duty compared to heavy.

camp-n-family wrote:
I’ve read about issues with them in cold climates. Google search it or check the Ram forums.

These issues with the cold climate are from the Light Duty Ram 1500 4 corner air suspension- that is a whole different system. I have not heard any issues of the HD rear air suspension in cold climates.

There is a new youtube on HD Ram and Ford F350 hauling 30,000 pound trailer up the Ike Gauntlet in Colorado. The Ram had the air suspension and had considerably less squat than the ford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKnlIAqKJg

noteven wrote:
https://www.ramtrucks.com/ram-3500/capability.html

This is not an “air assist” suspension. The long springs are used to attach the axle to the frame. 2 leveling valves and 2 big air springs.

The long springs allow the same frame to use either air or steel suspension as orders call them out at factory. This is a common setup on over the road class 8 steer axles at 13,000 lbs.

I would use the truck stock first before going into modify mode.

Donvel valves would work in this application.

The best thing I did for sway on my old 3500 SRW was remove the steel springs, Hellwig, Ranchos, Firestone Ride Rite and install a 14,000lb Auto Flex full air suspension.

If not air assist, what would you call it? When I think air ride, I think air only , not air over springs. But semantics
Please explain what the donvel valves do and how they’d benefit the Ram 3500 system and if they have any use in add on air bags on trucks with steel springs.

My experience with a factory air suspension was with a '97 light duty F250. They would blow, frequently. And since it was an integrated system, loss of a bag left one with a very harsh ride with the frame sitting on the stops. It got to where I began carrying a spare bag, and ultimately had a spring shop add a few leaves. In my opinion, air bags are better as an aftermarket add on.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/ram-3500/capability.html

This is not an “air assist” suspension. The long springs are used to attach the axle to the frame. 2 leveling valves and 2 big air springs.

The long springs allow the same frame to use either air or steel suspension as orders call them out at factory. This is a common setup on over the road class 8 steer axles at 13,000 lbs.

I would use the truck stock first before going into modify mode.

Donvel valves would work in this application.

The best thing I did for sway on my old 3500 SRW was remove the steel springs, Hellwig, Ranchos, Firestone Ride Rite and install a 14,000lb Auto Flex full air suspension.

Someone needs to build brackets so you can just add a 2nd pair of shocks on the back.

I'm using the factory shocks, would of hoped for a better experience with the Ranchos then what towpro had but you hear a mixed bag on the Ranchos, might have to scratch them off the list. At this point in time I won't be replacing shocks anyways.

working with rancho, we decided to put 9000 on back and 5000 on front of my 2015.
first dip in road with camper loaded and 9000's cranked all the way up the truck started an oscillation that I had to slow down to stop.
So they sent me 2 new 9000's.
But they were not any better.
Than they said "its because you have 5000's on front and 9000's on back" (even though they recommended that).
they would not change out the front 5000's for 9000 unless I returned all 4. I told them "if I have to return all 4, you can keep them". it did not help, so I got my money back in that 90 day period.

any way I looked at it, the factory shocks (which has less than 10K miles on them) was way better than the ranchos.
also I was disappointed that the 5000's were not gas shocks either.

Finally someone likes the factory air ride I was very concerned think I screwed up again. Did you add the rancho 9000 shocks or are the factory ones good enough. The reason I ask is there on sale till Thursday for $50 off each shock and you have 90 days to return them. I;m hoping the truck gets here by the middle of June like the dealer said it would.

I have the factory assist rear air on my 2017 Ram Megacab dually carrying my 4500 lb AF 811, handles it great although I did have a rear stabilizer installed on mine with the Torklift Superhitch. I will be ordering a 2019 Ram 3500 dually as soon as they are able to order and I will be getting the factory air assist just because I like the way it works loaded and unloaded, but I am also counting on adding the rear stabilizer bar to help out, even if it means doing alterations. The only thing I have to do now when I load my camper is increase the tire pressure and I'm ready to go.