Jumping off the Diesel Bandwagon - UPDATED
Well, after two Cummins diesels that I thoroughly enjoyed, I am going to place a factory order for a RAM 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi, 4.10 gears, rear air suspension, Laramie and plenty of added options. ...
Forum Discussion
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I agree with Chris on the frame/inboard spring having less lean control. SRW is the other problem.
On the other hand, such an arrangement with somewhat inboard coils allows a better empty ride in that the same total spring load capacity still exists while hitting a bump with either rear wheel (not the other) is more compliant/softer to passengers. My guess is that magazine ride tests will test either empty, or with non-tall loads. Ram will score high.
This same TC situation arises with frame inboard vs outboard aftermarket airbags. The easy after-fix is huge swaybars if lean is a problem, or adding outer spring/bag assists. The bags can be deflated for better empty handling.
It may be noted that rear swaybars are not always an overall good thing. Everything is a compromise. Rear swaybars create the very same effect as the undesired bind in Mustang rear suspension that I spoke of earlier. The result is less overall rear traction (called oversteer) when running empty because the swaybar helps lift weight off the inner tire when turning. Accidental oversteer is a precarious characteristic, and all manufacturers try to generally avoid this type handling for liability reasons. In an inevitable crash, oversteer may result in a roll-over while understeer does not. Truck engineering does suffer from the wide range of load they may carry and it is difficult to encourage a safer understeer. One may note the past use of rear anti-lock brake only in some trucks, partly because of rear load variance and partly to prevent oversteer under hard braking. Win-win.
My old 1990 Mustang notchback would severely understeer if tested. A quick crank of the steering-wheel at speed would cause the front wheels to turn and slide straight ahead. Not a bad OEM set-up for a car that is often abused by young neophyte drivers. But it sucked at autocross (Neutral steering is preferred).
The Ram OEM rear coil set-up will provide more rear traction in low traction conditions when empty. And it will provide a better more compliant ride with one tire not upsetting the other. I'm sure it can be modified to resist lean if necessary. But it is probably remains true, as always, that a 1 ton dually is best for heavy truck campers (and lousy in poor traction). I don't think ib516's present handling will be noticably compromised when towing a 5vr or hauling most loads. Still admire the set-up.
Wes
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I agree with Chris on the frame/inboard spring having less lean control. SRW is the other problem.
On the other hand, such an arrangement with somewhat inboard coils allows a better empty ride in that the same total spring load capacity still exists while hitting a bump with either rear wheel (not the other) is more compliant/softer to passengers. My guess is that magazine ride tests will test either empty, or with non-tall loads. Ram will score high.
This same TC situation arises with frame inboard vs outboard aftermarket airbags. The easy after-fix is huge swaybars if lean is a problem, or adding outer spring/bag assists. The bags can be deflated for better empty handling.
It may be noted that rear swaybars are not always an overall good thing. Everything is a compromise. Rear swaybars create the very same effect as the undesired bind in Mustang rear suspension that I spoke of earlier. The result is less overall rear traction (called oversteer) when running empty because the swaybar helps lift weight off the inner tire when turning. Accidental oversteer is a precarious characteristic, and all manufacturers try to generally avoid this type handling for liability reasons. In an inevitable crash, oversteer may result in a roll-over while understeer does not. Truck engineering does suffer from the wide range of load they may carry and it is difficult to encourage a safer understeer. One may note the past use of rear anti-lock brake only in some trucks, partly because of rear load variance and partly to prevent oversteer under hard braking. Win-win.
My old 1990 Mustang notchback would severely understeer if tested. A quick crank of the steering-wheel at speed would cause the front wheels to turn and slide straight ahead. Not a bad OEM set-up for a car that is often abused by young neophyte drivers. But it sucked at autocross (Neutral steering is preferred).
The Ram OEM rear coil set-up will provide more rear traction in low traction conditions when empty. And it will provide a better more compliant ride with one tire not upsetting the other. I'm sure it can be modified to resist lean if necessary. But it is probably remains true, as always, that a 1 ton dually is best for heavy truck campers (and lousy in poor traction). I don't think ib516's present handling will be noticably compromised when towing a 5vr or hauling most loads. Still admire the set-up.
Wes
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