Suspension upgrade

[KevinSharonLuci]

I'm looking at enhancing the rear suspension on my 2016 F250. My 5th wheel sits it down a bit. I'm looking at the Firestone air bags but had a mechanic recommend the Roadmaster Active Suspension Kit to eliminate future leaks and bag degrading. Does anyone have experience with the roadmaster kit and will it level the vehicle when towing the heavy load like an airbag?

[bbaker2001]

Thanks
that makes sense. The 3500 4x4 is high anyway
it does tow very well

[mx727]

Agree. My truck sits a little tail high when empty. When loaded, it's fairly level, which makes it appear squatted.

[Cummins12V98]

bbaker2001 wrote:
Have a 2015 ram 3500. When connected, seems my headlights must go up a little because I get a lot of vehicles flashing their lights.
also see a lot of talk of Bilsteins. Are they just a better shock.
Dont think I really need air bags????

They are for sure a better shock. If your truck looks like this loaded you do not need bags unless you are wanting to control ride better.

I get flashed even without a load, I am guessing it's because I run the fog lights all the time.

[tinner12002]

ford truck guy wrote:
The FIRST thing I would do is run over a scale.... depending on what size fifth wheel you are probably over on your ratings.. the 250's are rated to TOW a lot, buy NOT rated to haul (payload in bed of truck) nearly enough to handle a larger fifth wheel, and the pin weights they have.

Tell us what make and model fifth wheel you are towing, perhaps someone here has the same set up and can toss in their thoughts..

ADDING air bags will only raise the truck to level... it WILLNOT add payload capacity,thus making stay over weight if there to start.

I believe all the OP was asking is if anyone has used the setup he was looking at only to enhance his suspension by leveling his truck, not necessarily to increase his payload as he already has TV and 5ver. Not saying he has the best combo, just that he wanted to level it some.

[rhagfo]

bbaker2001 wrote:
Have a 2015 ram 3500. When connected, seems my headlights must go up a little because I get a lot of vehicles flashing their lights.
also see a lot of talk of Bilsteins. Are they just a better shock.
Dont think I really need air bags????

Yes, far better shock.

[bbaker2001]

Have a 2015 ram 3500. When connected, seems my headlights must go up a little because I get a lot of vehicles flashing their lights.
also see a lot of talk of Bilsteins. Are they just a better shock.
Dont think I really need air bags????

[Kenjack24]

I think part of issue is newer 250/2500's have springs that start softer the older 250/2500's. My 2001 doesn't need bags carrying an 11,200# plus 5er.

I very much agree. I have a 2013 f250 with the 6.7 powerstroke and even with the optional overload (which is the exact same leaf pack a 350 srw ran in 2013) my truck will begin to squat with any weight. That is why they began putting 4" rear blocks in ford's. To allow it to level out under load. Weaker leafs for a softer ride=no good for towing.

[rhagfo]

bubbatraveler wrote:
Have a 213f250 powerstroke.I have Firestone bags on my truck .love them.pull 5er 9740# 35 foot .no problem.working on new deal 5er jayco 5er 38 ft #11900.expect no problem.

I think part of issue is newer 250/2500's have springs that start softer the older 250/2500's. My 2001 doesn't need bags carrying an 11,200# plus 5er.

[bubbatraveler]

Have a 213f250 powerstroke.I have Firestone bags on my truck .love them.pull 5er 9740# 35 foot .no problem.working on new deal 5er jayco 5er 38 ft #11900.expect no problem.

[Cummins12V98]

KevinSharonLuci wrote:
$325 for firestone bags without onboard air on AutoAnything.com.
Weight is not the issue. Only want to get the headlights down a bit for oncoming traffic. Also looking to take a little bounce out of the edges of bridges and such. The 2016 F250 is quite beefy and the diesel is a beast while not affecting the rear axle weight.
And yes, it was only a question of airbag over Roadmaster spring helpers.
Going with firestone bags.

Change out to Bilstein 4600's that will take the bounce right out of it!

[Crodad]

IdaD wrote:
I've really liked the way my Timbrens have worked. No difference in unloaded ride but they settled down the loaded ride a lot - bumps at speed are much better now. The weight police are out in full force so they'll likely jump all over this, but I guarantee they more than make up for the 500 lb lower RAWR compared to a 3500. I think the Timbrens themselves are rated for 8600 lbs.

Anyway, just another option to check out.

x2

[KevinSharonLuci]

$325 for firestone bags without onboard air on AutoAnything.com.
Weight is not the issue. Only want to get the headlights down a bit for oncoming traffic. Also looking to take a little bounce out of the edges of bridges and such. The 2016 F250 is quite beefy and the diesel is a beast while not affecting the rear axle weight.
And yes, it was only a question of airbag over Roadmaster spring helpers.
Going with firestone bags.

[riggsp]

I have the Roadmaster Active Suspension on my 2004 Ram 2500 CTD...I think it works very well...unloaded, my truck rides and drives as it did prior to installing...with my 5er hooked up, ready to tow, it sets level with no squat, and rides as well as it does unloaded...this is the second truck I've had with the RAS, and I'd definitely do it again if I made another truck purchase...by the way, I installed the RAS myself on each truck in about an hour...you can also adjust the preload for additional weight if necessary.

[garyp4951]

Most 3/4 ton trucks limits are 2k to 3k lbs, but when only 1500lbs is in the bed some will squat a little. This is not over loading the truck, it is just springs that were designed for a happy medium between carrying a certain load, and not beating you to death when no weight is in the bed.
Air bags will defiantly help this situation, and are not a bandaid to anything.