Forum Discussion

billsnp5's avatar
billsnp5
Explorer
Jan 12, 2021

Ram 3500 with factory airbags

I bought a new Ram 3500 DRW with factory airbags for my camper. I just loaded the camper on it for the first time and it looks great. The issue I have is after loading camper the airbags brought the truck up to the same height as it was when unloaded so the overloads are not touching the rubber stops and are not in play. There is a 1 to 1 1/2 inch gap between the rubber stops and bottom of springs. It doesn't make sense that they would even have the overload springs on the truck if they aren't going to be used. I would like the overloads to help the airbags so all weight is not on the airbags. Am I overthinking this or does someone make a bigger rubber stop or something else to put on the overloads. Here is a photo of front stop.
  • Maybe I am ovrethinking it. Ram may have to make all the rear suspensions the same but when the airbag system is installed the airbags are suppose to carry all the load like a semi as rhagfo stated above.

    Attached is a picture of the overloads after truck is supporting weight of camper.

  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    I don’t understand, the Ram air suspension is just that two light leaf springs to locate the rear axle, and air bags to support the load. There should not be any “overload springs”. This system is just like air suspension on a semi, the air bad supports the full load, the springs like the tram bars on a semi locate the axle.
  • I don’t know what your bump stops look like, but I use Energy Suspension bump stops. They make a few different types. In my case, I removed the factory ones and the bolt went through the same hole. I added large fender washers to give the nuts something to keep them from pulling through.
  • I recall you might be 1st person coming to the forum with factory air suspension, so new subject to discuss.
    I used to have coaches with air suspension and they had automatic valves at each wheel to keep the same level regardless the load.
    Full air suspension doesn't have overloads, so can you post a picture of your setup?