Ram 3500 Short Bed – rear air – Dodge says not available

Bamaman1 wrote:
I was thinking the air ride suspension on the Ram trucks were more like the low rider units with the springs and air bladders combined.

AirRide suspensions are just an air bladder that fits between the frame and axle, with most springing being from a coil or leaf springs already on the truck.

The air suspensions on the Ram trucks are simply in a class of their own. After the suspensions did so well in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Sergio Marchionne ordered the Ram truck chassis engineers to immediately come up with a completely new frame designed to handle their Jeep suspension components.

When available, the air ride suspension should be worth the $1K wholesale cost. It's going to cost you some weight carrying capabilities, however.

Capacity is exactly the same with or without air on the RAM 3500 SRW/DRW trucks. The system maintains a 1% rake up to the max carrying capacity.

The rear air ride options discounted price is $1,356.

I was thinking the air ride suspension on the Ram trucks were more like the low rider units with the springs and air bladders combined.

AirRide suspensions are just an air bladder that fits between the frame and axle, with most springing being from a coil or leaf springs already on the truck.

The air suspensions on the Ram trucks are simply in a class of their own. After the suspensions did so well in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Sergio Marchionne ordered the Ram truck chassis engineers to immediately come up with a completely new frame designed to handle their Jeep suspension components.

When available, the air ride suspension should be worth the $1K wholesale cost. It's going to cost you some weight carrying capabilities, however.

mrkoje wrote:
Tcamper -

The dealership was telling you the truth - well at least that they can't order the truck right now with it. They may have not told the whole story. To say you can't get the 3500 short box with the auto leveling rear suspension is wrong - the option is indeed available on that truck you just can't have it until they reopen the ordering for that feature.

I presume they closed down the ordering for the air suspension because a lot of folks have had problems with it. I personally know of one guy that has it that broke down twice.

If it were me I would skip that option. For one is costs $1595 - and two "Its just one more thing to break!"

Instead spend $300 or so installed for a pair of Airlift 5000 or Firestone Ride rite airbags. You can spend another 300 or so if you want an onboard compressor.

Very simple to use but it's not "automatic." You will have to monitor the leveling.

For me - the trade off of almost a $1200.00 for the automatic doesn't justify the expense. But that is just me.

Again, the dealership wasn't being bogus - you can't currently order the trucks with the rear auto leveling suspension. You will have to either wait until they open the orders for the part or order a truck without it.


Happy camping!

mrkoje

If you think you need air bags, like you I would just put them on myself. It's not a big deal. Crazy to spend that kind of money on something that is having problems.

The new airbag systems from Airlift , or Firestone have the remote air system . No need for any gauges or wiring in the cab. Only way to go.

If they are buying the components from the same vendor GM is there will be very expensive repairs once out of warranty. Compressors are stupid money for these systems.

ScottG wrote:
You might join the Turbo Diesel Registry and post your question there.
There are some very knowledgeable people there and even some dealer reps and techs.

Dodge Diesel Forums (there are more)....

Turbo Diesel *Register*

Diesel Truck Resource

Cummins Forum

BTW - agree with "mrkoje" - plus "first year" of any new factory "innovation", *wait* until it's been out in the "real world" for a year to see if there are any "bugs" & if they are resolved..;)

.

Tcamper -

The dealership was telling you the truth - well at least that they can't order the truck right now with it. They may have not told the whole story. To say you can't get the 3500 short box with the auto leveling rear suspension is wrong - the option is indeed available on that truck you just can't have it until they reopen the ordering for that feature.

I presume they closed down the ordering for the air suspension because a lot of folks have had problems with it. I personally know of one guy that has it that broke down twice.

If it were me I would skip that option. For one is costs $1595 - and two "Its just one more thing to break!"

Instead spend $300 or so installed for a pair of Airlift 5000 or Firestone Ride rite airbags. You can spend another 300 or so if you want an onboard compressor.

Very simple to use but it's not "automatic." You will have to monitor the leveling.

For me - the trade off of almost a $1200.00 for the automatic doesn't justify the expense. But that is just me.

Again, the dealership wasn't being bogus - you can't currently order the trucks with the rear auto leveling suspension. You will have to either wait until they open the orders for the part or order a truck without it.


Happy camping!

mrkoje

You might join the Turbo Diesel Registry and post your question there.
There are some very knowledgeable people there and even some dealer reps and techs.