Rear Shocks 3500 with Air Suspension

[AH64ID]

I sometimes have to pull forward a few feet for ALT ride height to kick in, and only right after hitching with the truck running or within 10 minutes.

I wonder if the CG difference of your two loads causes the handing differences.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

AH64ID, I suspect it's how both loads are carried. The camper being 5000 lbs directly over the axle and cab and the 5th wheel pin weight being 3000 lbs. The Camper is top heavy where that's not the case with the 5th wheel. I also noticed, the front tends to bounce with the camper and not with the 5th wheel.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

I sometimes have to pull forward a few feet for ALT ride height to kick in, and only right after hitching with the truck running or within 10 minutes.

I wonder if the CG difference of your two loads causes the handing differences.

Sounds like you have to do the same thing for it to kick in. Wonder why?

 

[AH64ID]

Sounds like you have to do the same thing for it to kick in. Wonder why?

I think it has to do with the pressure it puts in to re-level the truck after hooking up/loading. It takes a little movement to get it to learn the proper pressure.

Now that I think about it, it's only happened to me after hooking up the WDH on my TT. It's never done it with my parents 5er.

 

[EZeis]

To date I never had any issues with the alt trailer height changing other than too light (empty, to be expected) or moving too fast. I hitch up, drop the 5th wheel onto the truck, it adjusts while I lock the hitch and such. Then I push the alt button and let it do it's thing while I check the lights and do my walk around. My pin weight is 2660 lbs. Even on various terrain and such. Maybe a software glitch on older trucks?


Earl

 

[Tunnel Vision]

To date I never had any issues with the alt trailer height changing other than too light (empty, to be expected) or moving too fast. I hitch up, drop the 5th wheel onto the truck, it adjusts while I lock the hitch and such. Then I push the alt button and let it do it's thing while I check the lights and do my walk around. My pin weight is 2660 lbs. Even on various terrain and such. Maybe a software glitch on older trucks?


Earl

Could be a glitch I guess, it's a 2018 with 11000 miles on it though.

 

[EZeis]

Could be a glitch I guess, it's a 2018 with 11000 miles on it though.

Mine is an 18 too. Built in August of 18. Almost 11k on mine as well.


Earl

 

[AH64ID]

Mines an 18 as well with 6000 miles.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

Boy trying to find aftermarket rear shocks is a pain. I contacted Bilstein and yep they said they don't make one for our trucks (air ride option), I asked is it a fitment issue or valving, their reply was not sure could be both OR we have not tried them on one...

 

[Cummins12V98]

I don’t think the rear air ride is the best option for heavy truck campers.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

I don’t think the rear air ride is the best option for heavy truck campers.

Can you explain why you think that?

 

[dieselshadow]

I don’t think the rear air ride is the best option for heavy truck campers.

Why do you say that? Essentially the air ride makes the rear a variable spring rate suspension. This is great as far as low loads to full GVWR loads. I’m not sure how air ride could be a detriment to these trucks.

I would like to see some real real shock options for these trucks as I own one.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

Why do you say that? Essentially the air ride makes the rear a variable spring rate suspension. This is great as far as low loads to full GVWR loads. I’m not sure how air ride could be a detriment to these trucks.

I would like to see some real real shock options for these trucks as I own one.

I'm with you, no aftermarket shocks? really? I'm new to Ram trucks, how long has air ride been an option?

 

[lpennock]

Why do you say that? Essentially the air ride makes the rear a variable spring rate suspension. This is great as far as low loads to full GVWR loads. I’m not sure how air ride could be a detriment to these trucks.

I would like to see some real real shock options for these trucks as I own one.

The air bags are too inboard to keep the sway down with a tall load like a truck camper. My 18 3500 had much more sway than my 06 especially with the Stable Loads on my 06 that brought in the overload springs earlier. Adding a Roadmaster rear sway bar to the 18 made a big improvement but the 06 still has less sway. The overall ride on the 18 is better though.

I had similar behavior with air bags on my 06 which is why I went to the stable loads. Air bags are mounted too far inboard for effective sway control on either truck.

 

[AH64ID]

While my CG isn’t quite as high as a huge camper, I do run with 2 ATV’s above the bed rails. My ‘18 auto-level is more stable loaded than my ‘05 was empty, and it had a hellwig anti-sway bar.

The lower overloads that the auto-level rides on in ALT ride height on are decent springs, and appears like a stiffer/stronger spring pack than the standard SRW suspension. The lower overloads were updated sometime between 15 and 17 to be stronger, exactly when I’m not sure.

Auto-level suspension is the same SRW or DRW, unlike the standard spring suspension.

 

[dieselshadow]

Good explanation sir. Thank you. That makes sense.

 

[NonFord]

I specifically purchased this truck to carry my Lance 855s and to date I have been totally impressed how it handles the load. I had it on my 2004 2500, with hellwig sway and bags, while it handled it , nothing compared to this guy. Since putting the Eibachs on, it totally complimented the entire experience and figurally speaking I am"One Happy Camper".
AH64ID pretty much nailed it too.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

I specifically purchased this truck to carry my Lance 855s and to date I have been totally impressed how it handles the load. I had it on my 2004 2500, with hellwig sway and bags, while it handled it , nothing compared to this guy. Since putting the Eibachs on, it totally complimented the entire experience and figurally speaking I am"One Happy Camper".
AH64ID pretty much nailed it too.

First thing I added to the truck was the Hellwig "Big Wig" sway bar! Do you have the Part numbers for the Eibach shocks? Sounds like we have the same exact truck only mine is a dually.

 

[NonFord]

I almost purchased the Hellwig again, but waited this time to see how the truck handled the camper. I dont think I need it as I have not expereinced any sway like I did on the 2500. I'm surprised with a dually that you actually need it, figured the wider footprint would be fine alone.

Fronts E60-27-006-03-10
Rears E60-27-009-02-01

 

[AH64ID]

I'm surprised with a dually that you actually need it, figured the wider footprint would be fine alone.

The footprint has no effect on suspension sway.