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jnoflane2's avatar
jnoflane2
Explorer
Feb 03, 2021

Ram 1500 at Load Maximum Woes

Everyone knows that the Ram 1500 has very low GVWR. Well I would go a step further after towing with it for four years, when close to the maximum, it is under-sprung and sometimes dangerous.

I did end up adding air bags, but simply wanted a more stable platform, and I am NOT buying a 3/4 or 1 ton that rides rough when empty. I should also say that I have no intentions to exceed the maximum allowed by Ram.... I just want more firmness and stability.

So...... I added HD Progressive Springs and the Air Lift 1000HD.

Here is what our rig normally looks like when leaving for a camping trip.





Here are the pics of what I did.......

The pic of the truck is a little dark and hard to see, but the Billstein's up front raise the truck 1.8" and the TTC-1223VT Springs raise the rear 2". Those are 34's on those 20" rims.

Can't wait to hit the road on our next camping trip. Since I have added the necessary bits and pieces to our camper to make it "Four Seasons", we will take it up to the mountains a couple of times in February and March, as a base camp for a long weekend of skiing.










  • Having driven a RAM 1500 with just a small ATV in the bed I can't say I'd be comfortable with your set up. But then my DD is a 1ton diesel pickup.

    Just be safe out there and enjoy!
  • I didn't see where you upgraded the parts that actually do the work, the axle shafts and bearings. Sorry but I cannot understand how adding more weight to the vehicle can increase the payload. All you are doing is compensating for the overload. Not any safer at all!
  • jnoflane2 wrote:
    I am NOT buying a 3/4 or 1 ton that rides rough when empty.

    No comment on what you did, but wanted to address this... Have you driven a modern 3/4 or 1 ton truck? My coil spring 2500 rides very smooth when empty and tires aired down to 65ish. One of the guys that we camp with has a newish Ford F350 dually that rides smooth as glass... it was almost unbelievable how compliant the ride was.

    20 years ago there was a huge disparity in ride comfort. You'd be hard pressed to tell a significant difference in ride comfort with modern trucks.

    Back to your topic though...
  • I tried Timbrens on my Ram 1500. Terrible ride empty and loaded. I then tried a heavier progressive spring. It was better, but still not what was needed. Ultimately, I added springs that were 50% stiffer. They have been great. Ride is still good and it handles even overloaded conditions very well now.

    I like your solution, but think if I do anymore, it'll probably be Sumospring bump stops.
  • The thing that jumped out at me was all the ice on the ground! It takes a determined man to work on his truck when it is that cold.

    Your solution looks great to me. I hope that you are happy with it. You might want to upgrade the shocks at some point to help handle the heavier loads.
  • That load does not look too dangerous to me! I have a pic taken many years ago, with my first trailer, and a new F150 loaded with 2 dirt bikes in backward, one that you can't see is on other side of the GoldWing. Fairing removed from GW is in the trailer. So 3 bikes, plus gear, gas, etc, in truck bed, no suspension improvements.



    Yup, overloaded, but who knew?? I was just a kid, no danger though! Still invincible at that time! :)

    Jerry
  • Thats the biggest truck I've ever seen. Where in the world can you find roads big enough for it? :)
  • Yeah... nearly all other forums I frequent, auto size pics.... this forum should start doing the same.