Adding air bags: can that increase payload capacity?

[DesertDogs]

Does adding airbags to a pickup truck tow vehicle increase the payload capacity of the truck?

For example, take a pickup with 3500 lbs. of payload capacity. If one were to add air bags to such a pickup, could that realistically increase the payload capacity from 3500 lbs. to 4000 lbs.?

Also, does adding airbags improve ride quality in the truck?

We're thinking of going with a 2019 3/4 ton RAM or 1 ton RAM as our every day driver and also as a tow vehicle for a fairly short 5th wheel.

I'm trying to decide which would be the best route to follow when buying a truck that will serve mostly as a daily driver, with occasional use to tow a 5th wheel.

3/4 ton with air bags added?
1 ton without air bags?
1 ton with air bags added?

Or....???

[Cummins12V98]

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
I spend way more time in my truck than our camper, therefore my priority was picking a truck that met my needs as a first priority, and then picked a camper that complied to my trucks specs as a second priority.

You are the exception unfortunately.

Unfortunately?
Exception? Maybe with the boomers RV crowd, but the rest of the world basically lets there RV sit unused most of the year and drives their truck every day.

My point was people buy a BIG RV then don't want to step up saying "I only tow a few times a year". Great excuse!!!

[Grit_dog]

DesertDogs wrote:
Assuming airbags are not needed for leveling, do they make a significant difference in ride quality when NOT towing?

And, are after market air bags as suitable as factory air bags on the RAM?

Would we notice any difference in ride quality with a RAM having no air bags and one with air bags?

I'm trying to decide if I should pass on buying a Ram 3500 because it does NOT have the auto leveling air bag option?

Assuming your first question infers that the truck has enough suspension for the load without airbags then you wouldn't even need to install them, but, no, aftermarket airbags will not affect the ride when the truck is empty if you let the air out of them. That's the while point of airbags. Even the more economical ones that claim you need to keep minimal air in them to prevent damage if bottoming out the suspension don't need any air on an empty 1 ton. If you bottom out the springs on a 1 ton truck with no load in the bed, pinching an airbag will be way down your list of concerns for potential issues because you'd have to jump it like the General Lee for that to happen.
The Ram 3500 air assist rides softer than a full leaf truck when empty because it has less weight capacity until the bags start kicking in. It is Rams attempt at making 1 ton trucks more plush with no load.

[Grit_dog]

Desert dogs, good discussion here to air out and analyze your wants/needs/preferences.
As you've come full circle since buying a new truck a year ago and now almost full circle again with the whole dually/no dually thing, I'd suggest taking your time and making dang sure you get what fits the bill the best.
You'll toss some money out the window with this upgrade from your current/almost new setup. No sense in tossing more again next year if you change your mind again.

[Grit_dog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
I spend way more time in my truck than our camper, therefore my priority was picking a truck that met my needs as a first priority, and then picked a camper that complied to my trucks specs as a second priority.

You are the exception unfortunately.

Unfortunately?
Exception? Maybe with the boomers RV crowd, but the rest of the world basically lets there RV sit unused most of the year and drives their truck every day.

[Cummins12V98]

deltabravo wrote:

DesertDogs wrote:
Does adding airbags to a pickup truck tow vehicle increase the payload capacity of the truck?

No.

I agree on "PAPER" but the reality is they will allow you to safely carry more with the truck setting level instead of AZZ low.

[Cummins12V98]

"Would we notice any difference in ride quality with a RAM having no air bags and one with air bags?"

I added bags to my 11 DRW, it rode exactly the same with and without bags when unloaded. Load the ride quality was VASTLY improved.

[Cummins12V98]

Factory Rear Air Ride is a much better ride than standard sprung unloaded. I keep mine in Alt Ride Mode, it sets nearly level. This makes entry and exit much easier along with the improved ride.

Stays at same ride height even with running 9,750# RAWR.

I like to find an end stall so I can back in with the rear tire on the curb.

[deltabravo]

DesertDogs wrote:
Does adding airbags to a pickup truck tow vehicle increase the payload capacity of the truck?

No.

[JIMNLIN]

Actual rear axle weights depends on several stds and options....age of truck but many who have weighed their late model one ton DRW trucks weigh in the 3500 lb range as it comes from the factory.
Then some folks rig their trucks like they want it with aftermarket products and then weigh the axles. It can be quite a difference.

I've bought several LDT's (mostly one ton drw) and put them in commercial service pulling heavy equipment trailers/etc. I always loaded things up and made a trip or two and then decide if air bags or other type of rear suspension help is needed. Some trucks needed help and others didn't all depending on year models... bed or wheelbase lengths.... 2wd or 4wd/etc/etc.

[DesertDogs]

JIMNLIN wrote:
There is no 350/3500 SRW that has enough RAWR to carry 4,100 lbs in the bed. That 4,100 lbs is a gvwr based payload and will overload the truck 7000 lb- 7230 lb RAWR when its all placed in the bed. RAWR is the lessor of a wheel...tire... or rear spring pack rating.

A one ton SRW (any brand) empty rear axle may weigh in the 3300-3500 lb range. Using the Rams 7000 RAWR that leaves around 3500 lbs payload in the bed.

If your looking to carry 4000 lbs in the bed in any one ton SRW your gonna' need to mod the trucks rear suspension and upgrade to 19.5 " tires and wheels as truck camper owners have.

Jim... this is a very close reading of the details that I didn't understand, nor pay attention to before.

Thank you for that input - gives me much to consider regarding both SRW and DRW options.

Do you have any numbers indicating how much weight an empty rear axle on a one-ton DRW truck would consume?

[DesertDogs]

Assuming airbags are not needed for leveling, do they make a significant difference in ride quality when NOT towing?

And, are after market air bags as suitable as factory air bags on the RAM?

Would we notice any difference in ride quality with a RAM having no air bags and one with air bags?

I'm trying to decide if I should pass on buying a Ram 3500 because it does NOT have the auto leveling air bag option?

[DesertDogs]

rhagfo wrote:

DesertDogs wrote:
I've been test driving duellies, to see how they are. Surprisingly nice and not at all difficult to drive.

We can appreciate the stability and safety aspects of having four rear wheels when towing a monster mobile home on our backs. (To me, aeven a 35' 5th wheel is a massive thing to tow around.) The duelly does inspire some enhanced confidence.

And the downside isn't really that big a deal. Likely park farther out in parking lots, but the walking is good for us.

We only drive a couple of times a week, to town, for groceries or the occasional doctor appointment. No daily commuting of any kind for us.

So, from that perspective, having a duelly isn't necessarily a negative for us.

Still kicking it all around. No need to hurry it along.

When it comes to parking think about backing in, after a it will be second nature.

I have a 2019 RAM Limited 1500 right now and backing in is my preferred method of pulling into a space already!

[rhagfo]

DesertDogs wrote:
I've been test driving duellies, to see how they are. Surprisingly nice and not at all difficult to drive.

We can appreciate the stability and safety aspects of having four rear wheels when towing a monster mobile home on our backs. (To me, aeven a 35' 5th wheel is a massive thing to tow around.) The duelly does inspire some enhanced confidence.

And the downside isn't really that big a deal. Likely park farther out in parking lots, but the walking is good for us.

We only drive a couple of times a week, to town, for groceries or the occasional doctor appointment. No daily commuting of any kind for us.

So, from that perspective, having a duelly isn't necessarily a negative for us.

Still kicking it all around. No need to hurry it along.

When it comes to parking think about backing in, after a it will be second nature.

[DesertDogs]

I've been test driving duellies, to see how they are. Surprisingly nice and not at all difficult to drive.

We can appreciate the stability and safety aspects of having four rear wheels when towing a monster mobile home on our backs. (To me, aeven a 35' 5th wheel is a massive thing to tow around.) The duelly does inspire some enhanced confidence.

And the downside isn't really that big a deal. Likely park farther out in parking lots, but the walking is good for us.

We only drive a couple of times a week, to town, for groceries or the occasional doctor appointment. No daily commuting of any kind for us.

So, from that perspective, having a duelly isn't necessarily a negative for us.

Still kicking it all around. No need to hurry it along.

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:
I spend way more time in my truck than our camper, therefore my priority was picking a truck that met my needs as a first priority, and then picked a camper that complied to my trucks specs as a second priority.

You are the exception unfortunately.