After market air bags for a 2015 Ram 3500 4x2, RC, CTD and DRW suggestions.

[rynosback]

I’m looking to improve the ride of my truck. More so unloaded as adding the pin weight when hooked up the truck does not feel as sprung. Of coarse improving the ride towing would be nice also. I’m with in the limits of the truck. Will adding air bags do that? If so, what kits would you recommend? I’ve been looking at the Pacbrake kit, Firestone and AirLift Load Lifter. I’m fine with going old school and manually keeping them filled.
I have a 2015 Ram 3500 4x2 Regular Cab, DRW, CTD, Aisin trans, 410 rear.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I had Manuel Firestones for most of 20 years on my old 99 . Never any issues or leaks. Will it improve the ride yes loaded . It will pick the rear weight up and make you go level . Steering and braking will improve a bit Unloaded it will ride rough like a I ton . Put some weight in the back helps . But if you’re overloaded or close it would not really help. Buy a bigger truck to haul the load is the real answer. We need to know what your truck is that will help also

 

[rynosback]

My truck is with in limits and I have what I thought were the pertinent information of the truck in the title. I will copy and paste it in the message also. My goal is to improve the ride quality, not carrying capacity. As adding airbags and bigger tires do not add carrying capacity.
So you don’t think there would be any improvement not towing?

 

[petersonj]

So you don’t think there would be any improvement not towing?

I have no experience with a fourth generation truck, but I have air bags on my 2002 truck. I never add air when the truck is unloaded because the ride height changes and the ride is rougher.

I think @Turbo Terry said the same thing - "Unloaded it will ride rough like a I ton".

- John

 

[kthaxton]

Yeah, effectively increasing spring rate (adding bags) will make unloaded ride worse/stiffer.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Not sure why you are concerned about unloaded ride as you never use your truck other than towing your DRV 5er.

bottom line add Bilstein’s and air down your rears to 30 psi unloaded if you want a better ride.

Air bags will only help your loaded ride. I ran mine loaded st 30 psi same load as you on my 11 DRW with great results. I had Pack Brake with in cab controls.

 

[slowmover]

MPG won’t change much with up to 1,000/lbs in bed. DRW could go higher.

That, and lowest tire pressure (to spec; scale reading) will help most.

— New shock absorbers (Koni or Bilstein) if those are past 60k miles or OEM.

— PURPLE (brand) “Ultimate” seat cushion plus lumbar.

By rating these are the same spring. Guess which rides better (DEAVER, etc; custom).

MOR/ryde RS
https://www.morryde.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RS-Brochure.pdf

Kelderman Air Ride

An empty pickup is a contradiction.
Not meant to be used in that fashion.

Unloaded means one must slow down . . considerably.

.

 

[AH64ID]

The best thing you could do for empty ride improvement is adjusting the tire pressure. Drop the rears to 35 psi and that should make a decent difference.

As mentioned airbags won’t improve your empty ride.

 

[Topzide]

As other have mentioned, tire pressure is your friend when traveling "unloaded". You'll need to play around with the pressure in the rears as to what works the best and gives you good wear. Watch for the over/under wear patterns on the tires. A good pressure gauge and 12v compressor will be needed to make changes as needed. Scale weights with the 5vr as loaded will provide insights on that load. Amazing how easy to overload pin weight. These trucks will pull just about everything hooked up to them, but stopping them is another story! Do a little leg work to make for a better ride and tire wear.

 

[Regcabguy]

Not sure why you are concerned about unloaded ride as you never use your truck other than towing your DRV 5er.

bottom line add Bilstein’s and air down your rears to 30 psi unloaded if you want a better ride.

Air bags will only help your loaded ride. I ran mine loaded st 30 psi same load as you on my 11 DRW with great results. I had Pack Brake with in cab controls.

I dumped my Bilsteins in one week. They beat me to death even with 200# of bagged gravel in back. Front was awful too.

 

[06 Dodge]

I dumped my Bilsteins in one week. They beat me to death even with 200# of bagged gravel in back. Front was awful too.

Wow I put a set of the 5100 on the front of my 06 2500 4x4 CTD, I liked them much better then the factory shocks an your the first person I have seem post who did not like them...

 

[rynosback]

MPG won’t change much with up to 1,000/lbs in bed. DRW could go higher.

That, and lowest tire pressure (to spec; scale reading) will help most.

— New shock absorbers (Koni or Bilstein) if those are past 60k miles or OEM.

— PURPLE (brand) “Ultimate” seat cushion plus lumbar.

By rating these are the same spring. Guess which rides better (DEAVER, etc; custom).

View attachment 138284

MOR/ryde RS
https://www.morryde.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RS-Brochure.pdf

Kelderman Air Ride

An empty pickup is a contradiction.
Not meant to be used in that fashion.

Unloaded means one must slow down . . considerably.

.

I would say those newer leafs would ride better. But that’s not the MorRyde rubber shackle. Are those pictures leaf’s from MorRyde? The rubber shackles look interesting. I’ll have to Google and read for testimonials.

 

[rynosback]

MPG won’t change much with up to 1,000/lbs in bed. DRW could go higher.

That, and lowest tire pressure (to spec; scale reading) will help most.

— New shock absorbers (Koni or Bilstein) if those are past 60k miles or OEM.

— PURPLE (brand) “Ultimate” seat cushion plus lumbar.

By rating these are the same spring. Guess which rides better (DEAVER, etc; custom).

View attachment 138284
Y
MOR/ryde RS
https://www.morryde.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RS-Brochure.pdf

Kelderman Air Ride

An empty pickup is a contradiction.
Not meant to be used in that fashion.

Unloaded means one must slow down . . considerably.

.

The Deaver leafs are not made for Rams by there website. The MoRyde RS looks interesting. But if it’s set up to carry the heavier load, not sure how effective it would be unloaded. As it’s kind of the same concept and set up as the kelderman air ride. As they both have the rear of the leaf mount to either system. The air ride is adjustable and A LOT heavier but at 4 times the cost it should be.

 

[slowmover]

The Deaver leafs are not made for Rams by there website. The MoRyde RS looks interesting. But if it’s set up to carry the heavier load, not sure how effective it would be unloaded. As it’s kind of the same concept and set up as the kelderman air ride. As they both have the rear of the leaf mount to either system. The air ride is adjustable and A LOT heavier but at 4 times the cost it should be.

MOR/ryde has a great rep. I’d talk to them about offerings.

DEAVER and others can build from spec. 5,6,7 leaves is better than 2,3 for ride.