Asking about the 1500 and the 2500. It's one thing to add air bags, it's another to totally replace the springs. I generally understand what they're doing but have zero practical experience. What happens if it breaks, or leaks? Just how reliable are those systems? And how severely would the vehicle be affected by a malfunction? Would you be stuck if it broke? Would you loose all payload/towing capability?Wondering if it would be wiser to buy a conventionally sprung vehicle and add air bags after the fact.

bigrigs have run airbags for decades, not much worry there. As far as running without air in the bags, it would be as good as a shopping cart at freeway speeds.

A lot would depend on the capacity of the compressor ,big leak - you need a large supply of air to limp home ,if it can't keep up you are stopped.As long as they don't cheap out and go with a low bid supplier they should last and last,Ive got over 1/2 million on mine . The bags themselves are very robust and connectors are inexpensive and roadside replaceable.The compressor is the unknown,engine driven? Electric? Classs 8's are pretty big 2 cylinder units. Anyone know .

Duplicated info already posted.

For lighter duty vehicles, air bags have been around for the luxury marques. Seems like typical life is anywhere between 100k to 200k for the bags. Compressors are a different story, I believe they are using electrically driven units. They don't last as long as engine driven units, but they also don't cycle as much. I also don't know if the factory bags have any hard internal structure to support the vehicle should one go out. Some do and some don't, if they don't, then loss of air would sideline you. Also, air suspension will usually give plenty of notice before actual failure. You will typically see cracking on the rubber or see sand or dirt rubbing away at the air bags. So as long add you are diligent on the inspection of your vehicle, you should catch most issues before they break. It's just the electric air compressor that is an unknown for me.

I will let you know how it works out when I get my 14 or 15 with rear air suspension next year.

Ram's factory air suspension | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 24, 2013
larry barnhart wrote:
we have 8 airbags on our total rv setup. No brag just a fact.
chevman

Now I have BAG ENVY!
RoyJ
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
I did skip the air bag option on my recent 14' Sport 1500, but not because I'm so afraid of a leak. After all, my old bus has an air system from the mid-60's...

For me, I simply didn't need it for any heavy hauling. The most I'd carry are a couple dirt bikes and a utility trailer. The system brings necessary complexity, considering it's a sealed nitrogen unit with reservoirs.
transamz9
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
larry barnhart wrote:
we have 8 airbags on our total rv setup. No brag just a fact.
chevman

Had any problems?
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
we have 8 airbags on our total rv setup. No brag just a fact.
chevman
transamz9
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
Redsky wrote:
There is the old adage that the pioneers are the guys with the arrows in their backs. It applies to being the first to buy a new model truck with new designs that have not been tested in the real world. Lots of whiz bang designs were a complete flop and a nightmare for the owners of the vehicles.

The luxury Land Rovers have a very sophisticated air suspension system (pioneered by Citroen) but it is also prone to failure and very expensive to repair. I would never dream of comparing the air suspension systems in a commercial truck that has been tried and tested over decades to a brand new system that was downsized for a pickup truck.

I would want to wait and see if the same suspension is still being offered a year later and would check for service bulletins and owners' reviews of how it actually worked and about any problems with the operation or repairs needed.

I'm in my second year with mine with no problems what's so ever.
Redsky
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
There is the old adage that the pioneers are the guys with the arrows in their backs. It applies to being the first to buy a new model truck with new designs that have not been tested in the real world. Lots of whiz bang designs were a complete flop and a nightmare for the owners of the vehicles.

The luxury Land Rovers have a very sophisticated air suspension system (pioneered by Citroen) but it is also prone to failure and very expensive to repair. I would never dream of comparing the air suspension systems in a commercial truck that has been tried and tested over decades to a brand new system that was downsized for a pickup truck.

I would want to wait and see if the same suspension is still being offered a year later and would check for service bulletins and owners' reviews of how it actually worked and about any problems with the operation or repairs needed.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2013
Shepherd wrote:
How about air bags on the Fifth Wheel?:B

Have 3 on mine!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2013
mdamerell wrote:
I've driven semi's for 18 years and it is rare to have an actual air bag leak. Normally you see a wear mark before the bag develops an issue. Normally it's the air leveler valve that goes bad or a bad fitting. Limp it home or a safe place and call road repair. The one time I had a bad bag, they isolated it to stop the leak and I limped the 20 miles back to the yard.

If it did not cost about $4k to do it, I'd swap out the leaf springs in my F350 for air ride suspension in a heart beat. Whenever I do replace my current truck I will be looking for air ride.

I think RAM made a good move with air ride. People like you will be giving them a serious look.
noteven
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2013
Shepherd wrote:
How about air bags on the Fifth Wheel?:B

Check out TrailerFlex trailer air suspensions.
Shepherd
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
How about air bags on the Fifth Wheel?:B