ram load leveling suspension question?

[batavia02]

Went to a dodge dealer the other day and talked to the commercial truck manager and we sat down and built a 2016 ram 2500 c.c diesel we didnt order just built it to see options /choices, got to the load leveling suspension option i know what it is and does,question is it nessasery commercial manager says yes and described it in detail.question for all what are the opionions of this option?not trying to compare the ram to the ford or gm models.thanks.

[Me_Again]

Irdew wrote:
I have a 2015 ram 3500 with the rear air leveling. This is not an air ride system like on the 2500 it air bags that keep the rear level it never squats. When unloaded you are ridding on the air bag and I think the ride is very good. Under load you set down on the leaf springs about 1" and then the air bag keeps I t there.
Just had my fifth wheel weighted,individual wheel weights. I have a 50 gal aux fuel tank and it was full, my pin weight was a little over 4000lbs. And the truck sits dead level.
I like that.
My truck was over on the GVW by 180lbs. All tires wheels and axels where great.
I like my air leveling, Asin transmission and exhaust brake. I've towed my rv over 4000 miles.

With half springs on the 3500 they only hold the axle in place and stop axle wrap up. They can not carry any weight with the back half missing. The air bags carry the weight. Chris

[Cummins12V98]

Chris I think I will refrain form saying what I want to say don't want to get this shut down.

[Irdew]

I have a 2015 ram 3500 with the rear air leveling. This is not an air ride system like on the 2500 it air bags that keep the rear level it never squats. When unloaded you are ridding on the air bag and I think the ride is very good. Under load you set down on the leaf springs about 1" and then the air bag keeps I t there.
Just had my fifth wheel weighted,individual wheel weights. I have a 50 gal aux fuel tank and it was full, my pin weight was a little over 4000lbs. And the truck sits dead level.
I like that.
My truck was over on the GVW by 180lbs. All tires wheels and axels where great.
I like my air leveling, Asin transmission and exhaust brake. I've towed my rv over 4000 miles.

[batavia02]

Thanks for the responses so far,one of the reasons we are strongley considering the ram is the cummins engine where me and my wife work we use them in commercial busses a n d yes i know it is not the same engine,as what is in the ram I am familiar with how tough they are and the injection pump failure on the cp4 is well documented and it is another reason,which i am leary to go with the ford or gm, and we have bought gm products many times.and yes I agree ford does build a good truck. I will check out ram owners forum,the reason we are shying away from drw is mainly the cost of maintaining it , ( brakes ,tires ) and the stigma that 1 tons are commercial vehicles, and we live in a hoa,although it is better then some .thanks so far I think we may pass on the air suspension, but we will also do some more homework .

[Me_Again]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


ZACTLY!!! Then ya may as well get the hips.

That's a personal taste issue that not everyone is into.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:

eHoefler wrote:
Air ride suspensions have been in commercial trucks since the 60's, they are proven and failures are few and far between.

but what are they using in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks?

not Tractor/semi parts.

The Rams are not running anything close to what cars run. These are HD systems that work very well. The issue was and is water in the system in cold climates from everything I have read.

[Chuck_thehammer]

eHoefler wrote:
Air ride suspensions have been in commercial trucks since the 60's, they are proven and failures are few and far between.

but what are they using in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks?

not Tractor/semi parts.

[eHoefler]

Air ride suspensions have been in commercial trucks since the 60's, they are proven and failures are few and far between.

[Lantley]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
look at all the cars that had rear or 4 corner air suspensions.. and the COST of repair and replacement... 4 to 8 years.

and if it fails on the road. you truck is parked on the side of the road.

and you still Need shock absorbers .. as air bags bounce, like springs.

my opinion.

This would be my concern as well. Very familiar with faulty bags on the older big luxury cars.
How is this new system any better or more reliable.
Passenger cars had regular failures. Putting them on a truck seems like it would be even worse.

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

batavia02 wrote:
Went to a dodge dealer the other day and talked to the commercial truck manager and we sat down and built a 2016 ram 2500 c.c diesel we didnt order just built it to see options /choices, got to the load leveling suspension option i know what it is and does,question is it nessasery commercial manager says yes and described it in detail.question for all what are the opionions of this option?not trying to compare the ram to the ford or gm models.thanks.

I you have thoughts of a 5th wheel in your future, by-pass the 2500 and get at least a 3500 SRW, with the Air ride.

ZACTLY!!! Then ya may as well get the hips.

[camp-n-family]

Go on the Ram forums and read up. Lots of issues, mostly in colder climates, but from what I have seen most would by-pass the option and go aftermarket if needed.

See here for example

[Chuck_thehammer]

look at all the cars that had rear or 4 corner air suspensions.. and the COST of repair and replacement... 4 to 8 years.

and if it fails on the road. you truck is parked on the side of the road.

and you still Need shock absorbers .. as air bags bounce, like springs.

my opinion.

[rhagfo]

batavia02 wrote:
Went to a dodge dealer the other day and talked to the commercial truck manager and we sat down and built a 2016 ram 2500 c.c diesel we didnt order just built it to see options /choices, got to the load leveling suspension option i know what it is and does,question is it nessasery commercial manager says yes and described it in detail.question for all what are the opionions of this option?not trying to compare the ram to the ford or gm models.thanks.

I you have thoughts of a 5th wheel in your future, by-pass the 2500 and get at least a 3500 SRW, with the Air ride.

[IdaD]

I think it adds needless complexity. 2500 Rams ride really well with the coils and they don't squat much under load either.

If you're comparing Ram to the other diesels you may want to do some reading on the CP3 injection pump in the Ram vs the CP4 unit in the Duramax and Powerstroke.