Air Shocks

[DHamm20]

Currently driving a Ram 1500 with Hemi. Has plenty of power to pull the camper but I am riding low. The truck is only used to pull the camper otherwise it is a third vehicle. What do you recommend for air shocks? Why? Thank you

[mkirsch]

Just cut a couple lengths of well casing and jam them in between the axle and frame. Tack in a couple of places with your $89 Harbor Freight welder. No more sagging.

[trail-explorer]

DHamm20 wrote:
What do you recommend for air shocks?

NONE. NOTHING. NADA.

[bguy]

I put a set of air shocks on my 2011 Ram 1500. Works fine. I took out the old busted air bags a PO had installed. Don't worry about the shock mounts. They're only designed to counter act the weight of the truck through the shocks after all.

[1320Fastback]

The shock mounts are not meant to support weight. Air shocks would be a mistake.

I would get a WDH set up properly, heavy duty coils and if needed air bags to provide just a bit more leveling.

[manley]

I vote for air bags. Had Firestone’s on previous TV, and then went with Timbrens on this one. Hated them! Replaced with Air Lift, and couldn’t be happier!

[azdryheat]

I used Firestone airbags on my 2500. Worked great.

[Grit_dog]

I wouldn’t do air shocks though. You want quality shocks and more capacity and reliability than air shocks will provide.
Inside the springs air bags for light duty support or traditional airbags for the best support. Imo.
Timbrens are solid too but know the limitations I mentioned above.
You can’t make them “disappear “ like airbags.

[Grit_dog]

pitch wrote:
Tuf truk coils. install and forget. No lines to leak no bags to pop

Heavy duty coils are a great option as well.
Ram 1500s are notoriously “comfortable”. The rest of the truck is pretty tough like any other truck.
AFAIK, same 9.25” corporate rear axle ( the one part of the equation that isn’t easily upgradeable, obviously) that has been in use for about 40 years. Easily capable of running at 4500lbs or so load perpetually, and not near its strength limit.
The rest of the truck save for the springs is good for basically 5klbs on the rear axle as well. Even the stock tires. Although LT tires are much nicer.
Aside from the other numerous Chrysler 9-1/4 axle trucks, one particular old Ram Charger we had, pulled a sizable tandem axle cargo trailer loaded with commercial mowers daily, for years. Dunno how heavy it was, but there was always 4-5 men in the cabin and enough 36-72” commercial mowers and gear to keep them all working.
Your travel trailer won’t break it short of some real extenuating circumstances.

This explanation was not for the OP, but rather for the weight police!

[Grit_dog]

SweetLou wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
You want air bags, not air shocks. The shock mounts on a truck aren't designed to support weight.
I've had Airlift bags on 3 different trucks. They worked well and didn't develop any leaks in the bags. I had problems with the plumbing leaking but that's not really the bags' fault.

I have had them on two truck and developed the same for air leaks. I would still use them but first choice are Timbrens

Timbrens are also a good option, however more suited for trucks that carry a heavy load consistently or most of the time.
You can install them “low” and they won’t engage until the truck is likely sagged more than you’d like, but great for that occasional heavy load.
Or you can shim them up to engage sooner but sacrifice full suspension travel while traveling light or empty.
Sweet Lou, you must have just had bad luck with airbags as they’re quite reliable and durable.
That said, Timbrens or sumo springs are the 1 and done easy button.

[Grit_dog]

Lynnmor wrote:
Air bags are simply added springs, of course you can carry more weight (payload} with them. Whether other components, such as tires, wheels and axles are up to the task is for you to research.

^This.
Thank you.

[Grit_dog]

Lwiddis wrote:
Air bags level the truck. They do not increase the truck’s payload.

Blah blah blah....

[trail-explorer]

jdc1 wrote:
No mention of a weight distribution hitch here? Come on guys.

Come where?

This topic is about air shocks (or air bags probably) and NOT about a weight distribution hitch.

[pitch]

Tuf truk coils. install and forget. No lines to leak no bags to pop

[APT]

I would start with WDH adjustment. $20 at a CAT scale. Restore all lost front axle weight. Then reevaluate how much the rear drops and any future steps.

3 Passes of 3 axle weights (truck front, truck rear, TT combined axles)
Truck without any trailer
Truck with trailer without WD
Truck with trailer with WD

You may need to get the last combo multiple times after adjustment.