Air Ride System - I need an education
I just purchased a 2018 Ram 3500 SRW Megacab Shortbed. 6.7 Liter Cummins Aisin Transmission 3.42 Axle Ratio 20" Wheels When it comes out of storage I'll be pulling a 2016 Cedar Creek 33IK 5th ...
Forum Discussion
The first detail concerns what types of airbags are compatible with your fifth wheel hitch. On my F150s the Ride Rite 5000XLs are compatible with a gooseneck but the 2000lb bags are not and I don't believe that the standard 5000lb bags are either. I don't know about 5th wheel hitches. The problem may be unique to the gooseneck hitch in that it has a release handle coming straight through the area where the 2000lb air bags go.
The 5,000lb XL bags mount where the jounce bumper is. The other bags keep the jounce bumper and have to mount elsewhere.
As for advantages, they help you carry max loads at a more comfortable height and stiffen the rear suspension to better control the extra weight. If the air bags are on separate channels they help control rocking and can help hitching by leaning the truck to match the trailer.
The disadvantages are that they make the truck ride rougher, even when deflated to the recommended 5psi. Note that some people disagree with this but my wife complained so much about the 5000lb bags that I had to take them off and replace them with 2,000lb bags. Bags on separate channels reduce rocking from high CG loads but they also act like a sway bar and encourage the rear end of the truck to follow ground contour, whether you want it to or not.
The 5,000lb XL bags mount where the jounce bumper is. The other bags keep the jounce bumper and have to mount elsewhere.
As for advantages, they help you carry max loads at a more comfortable height and stiffen the rear suspension to better control the extra weight. If the air bags are on separate channels they help control rocking and can help hitching by leaning the truck to match the trailer.
The disadvantages are that they make the truck ride rougher, even when deflated to the recommended 5psi. Note that some people disagree with this but my wife complained so much about the 5000lb bags that I had to take them off and replace them with 2,000lb bags. Bags on separate channels reduce rocking from high CG loads but they also act like a sway bar and encourage the rear end of the truck to follow ground contour, whether you want it to or not.
