I have a Lance 850 that I haul on a 2002 Dodge 2500 with upgraded suspension.Recently I have been looking at 4th Generation Ram trucks. I found a 3500 SRW 2wd that has the factory air bag system. Just wondering how they would handle a slide in camper thatweighs about 3000-3500? I'm pretty sure you can't adjust the pressures in the bags.I know how to get the regular leaf spring setup to work. But this new system will probably be hard to modify if it doesn't handle a camper. Any info is appreciated. thanks

I'm pretty sure virtually all newer SRW trucks are rated at or near 4k in payload. The 2wd models might even have more than that.

The air bags should self-adjust to maintain ride height, which is what most people do with air bags, so it will increase air bag pressure when the TC is loaded. Same effect.SRW is not a big issue, yes DRW will be more stable, but so will a class 8 truck…You are more than adequate to carry a TC…

Not aware of any problems/complaints with the 3500 air suspension. Availability of aftermarket suspension parts/upgrades are much more limited (vs. non-air). Although I don't think it's continuously adjustable, I believe it does have 2-3 presets that will vary the height somewhat.My guess a 3500 SRW 2WD should have over 4,000 lbs. of payload in the lower trim levels. May drop below 4k with a higher trim level due to the weight of the additional options. It should handle a 3000-3500 lb. loaded camper just fine. If 3,000-3,500 is the camper's empty weight, then you're probably looking at 4,000 - 4,500 lbs. loaded.

I have a 3500 DRW with the factory air. If I was buying a new truck to haul a TC I would go with the std suspension with the beefier leaf springs compared to the factory air. We have noticeable more sway on our 2017 ram with factory air than we did on our 2004 ram DRW with leafs. That's with a direct comparison on an Arctic Fox 1150. Also the factory air bags are not adjustable past a simple selction switch that can lower the bed about 2 inches. A feature more for 5th wheels. Also no side to side adjustment to level the camper side to side.You can always add airbags or other aftermarket load leveling devices on the std leaf version. The factory air is more limited in suspension upgrades. There is finally a sway bar available and that helps.Just my 2c after using both extensively.

I am right at 14K ready to camp with our 2015 Ram 3500 DRW 4x2 Cummins powered with Laramie Longhorn trim level in a crew cab and hauling a Lance 1181Love it, love it, love it!!

Anyone haul camper with Ram SRW 3500 2wd factory air bag ?

13 Replies

otrfun
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2019
Not aware of any problems/complaints with the 3500 air suspension. Availability of aftermarket suspension parts/upgrades are much more limited (vs. non-air). Although I don't think it's continuously adjustable, I believe it does have 2-3 presets that will vary the height somewhat.

My guess a 3500 SRW 2WD should have over 4,000 lbs. of payload in the lower trim levels. May drop below 4k with a higher trim level due to the weight of the additional options. It should handle a 3000-3500 lb. loaded camper just fine. If 3,000-3,500 is the camper's empty weight, then you're probably looking at 4,000 - 4,500 lbs. loaded.
ajriding
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2019
The air bags should self-adjust to maintain ride height, which is what most people do with air bags, so it will increase air bag pressure when the TC is loaded. Same effect.

SRW is not a big issue, yes DRW will be more stable, but so will a class 8 truck…
You are more than adequate to carry a TC…
twodownzero
Explorer
Sep 12, 2019
I'm pretty sure virtually all newer SRW trucks are rated at or near 4k in payload. The 2wd models might even have more than that.

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Anyone haul camper with Ram SRW 3500 2wd factory air bag ?

13 Replies

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