Ram 3500 Air Suspension - How Does It Work?

transferred wrote:
I went with a '15 3500 RCLB with the standard springs. I prefer the Ram Air Assist system to get some more miles under it before I trust it, though it's awesome Dodge offer it. Re ride quality, I couldn't notice a difference but then I'm used to heavier machinery which rides like a cart horse.

Your a wise man! :W

I went with a '15 3500 RCLB with the standard springs. I prefer the Ram Air Assist system to get some more miles under it before I trust it, though it's awesome Dodge offer it. Re ride quality, I couldn't notice a difference but then I'm used to heavier machinery which rides like a cart horse.

Beta rider wrote:
For me it wasn't about level, it was about ride comfort. There are still some pretty heavy springs there if you did blow an air bag. Also the spring arrangement is different on the air ride. I just know this setup sure works for me! No regrets.

Many reasons for me wanting the rear air. But the fact is it won't leave you stranded along the side of the road if a bag or line burst.

No you can't do a decent air system for under $500. My rear air option was about $1,300.

I know what it's like to tow with a regular rear sprung RAM Dually truck and the ride can be jarring on some of our wonderful highways. I added PacBrake bags and Bilstein's to my 11 Dually (not $500). Amazing improvement.

With my 15 and the rear air ride I just hook up and go nothing to change alter or modify.

Truck rides great empty or loaded.

For me it wasn't about level, it was about ride comfort. There are still some pretty heavy springs there if you did blow an air bag. Also the spring arrangement is different on the air ride. I just know this setup sure works for me! No regrets.

I looked at the air system but decided to stay away from it...never thought the ride was bad with the stock springs but I was afraid of having a bag blow out while loaded and just felt I didn't need or want the hassle. I figured if I need to keep it level when loaded I'll buy a firestone air bag kit and install it for less than 1/4 of the cost of the factory system, then if one fails I'm not losing any capacity and can replace it on my time frame.

Thanks. I'll tell the dealer. I think the Laramie and Longhorn Laramie have different headlights than the SLT Bighorn like I have.

Beta rider wrote:
Thanks. Hard to tell, but mine looks about the same. How are your headlights? I see you have a Laramie. I have a big horn, so I guess you have brighter lights, but how are they aimed? If they use the same aiming procedure for the leaf spring models and the air ride models, I can see where it might be a problem.

No problems with headlights at all, loaded or unloaded. Not that it matters much but it's a LongHorn. No idea if the headlights are different between the Laramie Longhorn and the regular Laramie.

Thanks. Hard to tell, but mine looks about the same. How are your headlights? I see you have a Laramie. I have a big horn, so I guess you have brighter lights, but how are they aimed? If they use the same aiming procedure for the leaf spring models and the air ride models, I can see where it might be a problem.

Beta rider wrote:
Cummins 12v98, I agree with you on the 40 psi in the rear unloaded! I'm curious about the stance on your air ride. Mine sits flat, maybe even a little low in back when empty in normal ride height. With the slide in truck camper it sits just a little lower. Just enough so the head lights are a little high. It seems to me there must be some adjustment or setting for this. Dealers don't seem to know anything about it and the customer service people were completely ignorant on the subject. I have a dealer waiting for answers from the Star people now. If there is no adjustment I will have to have the headlights adjusted down. I still think the ride with the tall weight of the TC is amazing. Campers are a different animal then towing a trailer.

I would consider mine "level" in this pic with 5K+ load. Another pic is without load but with alt ride height still on. Shows how the ride height is maintained no matter the load up to rear axle rating.

I have no issues with headlights with load on.

Cummins 12v98, I agree with you on the 40 psi in the rear unloaded! I'm curious about the stance on your air ride. Mine sits flat, maybe even a little low in back when empty in normal ride height. With the slide in truck camper it sits just a little lower. Just enough so the head lights are a little high. It seems to me there must be some adjustment or setting for this. Dealers don't seem to know anything about it and the customer service people were completely ignorant on the subject. I have a dealer waiting for answers from the Star people now. If there is no adjustment I will have to have the headlights adjusted down. I still think the ride with the tall weight of the TC is amazing. Campers are a different animal then towing a trailer.