air bags

[tlevan03]

I'm looking into adding a set of bags to the rear of the truck. The only concern I have is that is that my truck has the OEM air suspension frame mounts. Are there kits that are compatible with that? The Firestone 2615 kit doesn't say if is or is not. I contacted SD truck springs last week and a rep told me they had a kit that would work but they needed to add it to their website. Just curious of what others are using. Truck is a 17 3500 dually 4wd

 

[SnoKing]

Wow, very few people find a need to bag the newer RAM trucks. What is your pin weight coming in at?

 

[tlevan03]

Wow, very few people find a need to bag the newer RAM trucks. What is your pin weight coming in at?

The empty weight of the trailer says 3K. The truck handles it fine but I just want a little more support to keep the leafs from fatiguing

 

[JLEONARD]

Look into "Sumo Springs". Very easy install, do it once and forget it. I have them and they work well.

 

[AH64ID]

Is the truck an auto-level truck that was modified?

 

[tlevan03]

Is the truck an auto-level truck that was modified?

I dont think so. I bought the truck used and its bone stock, all it looks like was that the frame was made for the OEM air suspension but it was never installed. Right above the axle is what looks like the upper mounts for the bags. Ill have to take a pic later on when I get home to clear up any confusion

 

[AH64ID]

I dont think so. I bought the truck used and its bone stock, all it looks like was that the frame was made for the OEM air suspension but it was never installed. Right above the axle is what looks like the upper mounts for the bags. Ill have to take a pic later on when I get home to clear up any confusion

I would suspect that all frames have that as it's much easier to just make 1 3500 frame. Any airbag kit should fit.

 

[tlevan03]

I would suspect that all frames have that as it's much easier to just make 1 3500 frame. Any airbag kit should fit.

I believe youre correct but there is always that error factor of getting something that says will work but doesnt. Im just hoping to get the right item the first time

 

[AH64ID]

I would go off the assumption that your truck is like every other 3500 with spring suspension before I would presume it was an oddity.

 

[lpennock]

The empty weight of the trailer says 3K. The truck handles it fine but I just want a little more support to keep the leafs from fatiguing

Unless you are leaving the trailer on 24x7 the springs aren't going to fatigue from occasional loading. Even then it will take years before it is an issue unless you have them at maximum compression (load) all the time. If you are handling the load fine I wouldn't waste the time and money to fix something that isn't broke.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Unless you are leaving the trailer on 24x7 the springs aren't going to fatigue from occasional loading. Even then it will take years before it is an issue unless you have them at maximum compression (load) all the time. If you are handling the load fine I wouldn't waste the time and money to fix something that isn't broke.

THIS^^^

 

[AH64ID]

Unless you are leaving the trailer on 24x7 the springs aren't going to fatigue from occasional loading. Even then it will take years before it is an issue unless you have them at maximum compression (load) all the time. If you are handling the load fine I wouldn't waste the time and money to fix something that isn't broke.

For the most part this is true, but they will sag and fatigue more without the airbags.

My brother had a 2006 Hemi 2500, my dad a 2006 CTD 2500, and I had a 2005 CTD 3500. All 3 trucks had the same main leaf pack, my 3500 had the upper overloads but those were not ever engaged statically. Dad and I ran airbags, my brother did not. After 10 years, and 120-140K miles on the rigs my brothers 2500 sat well over an inch lower than our trucks with the airbags deflated. My dad and I ran more frequent and heavier loads too (both running 7-8K on the rear axle when loaded). My brother never left it loaded to the max, and rarely even loaded it that heavy. The airbags preserved the factory arc to the springs on the other two trucks and are well worth it in that aspect.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The empty weight of the trailer says 3K. The truck handles it fine but I just want a little more support to keep the leafs from fatiguing

I HIGHLY advise simply hooking up and see how the truck sets and rides. ONLY reason to add bags on your truck with your load is to improve ride quality.

My 11 DRW sat level with 4,500# pin. Only reason I added bags was for ride improvement. Your suspension should be even stronger.

 

[tlevan03]

I HIGHLY advise simply hooking up and see how the truck sets and rides. ONLY reason to add bags on your truck with your load is to improve ride quality.

My 11 DRW sat level with 4,500# pin. Only reason I added bags was for ride improvement. Your suspension should be even stronger.

Ive towed many times with this. Truck sits level. Ride improvement would be a benefit, it bounces around pretty well. I have no idea what the weight is loaded. Respectively, i would probably say between 3500-4000lbs

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Ive towed many times with this. Truck sits level. Ride improvement would be a benefit, it bounces around pretty well. I have no idea what the weight is loaded. Respectively, i would probably say between 3500-4000lbs

Gross trailer weight loaded is only 4000 pounds???
You ABSOLUTELY do not need air bags.
And, they sure won't make it ride better, better shocks might.
At 4000 pounds trailer weight, you are barely taxing the towing capacity of the truck at all.

 

[tlevan03]

Gross trailer weight loaded is only 4000 pounds???
You ABSOLUTELY do not need air bags.
And, they sure won't make it ride better.

At 4000 pounds trailer weight, you are barely taxing the towing capacity of the truck at all.

hitch weight. the camper is 42' long and has a GVRW of 20k

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Well, you never said that, everything you said was just "trailer weight".

Have you scaled this rig for axle weights, with and without the fully loaded trailer and all your stuff and passengers in the truck???

I bet it's not as heavily loaded as you think.

If it's not sagging, I don't think you need air bags.

Your truck, your call.

If you do get them, get the good ones that you don't have to run air in all the time.

 

[tlevan03]

Sorry for the confusion. I have not weighed it yet. I've considered it when I pull in for fuel but with the kids it becomes difficult to do anything but get fuel. I will be getting in weighed in the fall when we transfer out west. On my last Ram i had firestone airbags and loved them, made for a much smoother ride. With the current combination, things can get a little bouncy.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Bouncy is shocks, not springs.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"And, they sure won't make it ride better, better shocks might."

I can tell you for a FACT air bags greatly reduce the jolting and jarring on some of these highways. I drove the same roads without and then with. I only ran 30psi LOADED just enough to not increase ride height.

OP do like I did on my 11 HO DRW and you will love the better ride on the lousy roads.

OH and no you don't "NEED" air bags!