Ram 3500 and air suspension option
I am considering a Ram 3500 but am concerned about the ride compared to the 2500. One of the options is air suspension. I am trying to find out how this option affects the unloaded ride. I think...
Forum Discussion
Cummins12V98 wrote:
OK here is my opinion after owning my truck for 10 months and 10,000 miles. I leave my truck in ALT ride height all the time. The truck sits nearly level and will up to rear axle rating of 9,750# my rear axle weight is 9,580#. In my opinion the truck rides and handles GREAT considering the truck is a 4500 with a 3500 badge.
Fact is most everyone that tows heavy with a regular 3500 add air bags and doing so with a QUALITY on board air compressor and in cab controls will cost about as much as the $1,350 rear air option.
Comparing to my 2011 RAM Dually that I added air bags to the factory option rides better than the 11 did loaded or unloaded. The ride towing a combined load of 32,500# is very stable.
As far as off road performance, don't know and don't care!
If you are looking for a 2500 ride this aint gonna cut it! You still have a very robust front suspension. Any road feedback is mostly from the front axle the rear absorbs most everything.
Pics show the truck in ALT ride height unloaded and loaded with 9,580# sitting on the rear tires.
Bottom line I would recommend the rear air ride for sure!!!
I certainly can't compare the ride to anything other then my previous truck, a ford 350 superduty, and IMO my 2014 Ram rides a LITTLE bit better, certainly not enough to really matter.
But your take on airbags is way off, about half in way off . I installed the AirLift Ultimate air bags, and the AirLift 72000 wireless air system. IMO a better system, it monitors the air pressure that its set at, and maintains it . I am not limited to an automatic system, it can be changed at will. Airlift does make an automatic system that adjust to the load same as the OEM, but I want control of the system.
Bottom line the AirLift system I put in is about half the cost , right around $650.00 .
Not knowing everything about the Ram automatic air system , but I would assume you have no control over it other then height adjustment, which is a feature Airlift has if you want to go automatic. IMO wireless is a much better way to go, a lot more control .
