2014 3500 With Air Ride

[MJWenrich]

I did a "build your truck" on the Ram site last night and it accepted the Aisin option. I have narrowed down the options I would like and I have one last question for those who might have the air ride option on the 2500. Is the air ride an improvement when driving without a load or tow? For instance, I now have a 2004.5 2500 TD long bed. Would a 2014 2500 air ride be a better riding truck empty than I now have. I am considering a new 3500 but after driving one recently, I did not notice any difference in ride from my truck, even though they have been touted as being a much better riding truck.

My old, tired, overworked back wants to know the answer. The new fabric seats with power lumbar were more comfortable than my manual dial a support but I had to max out the lumbar for comfort.

And if anyone knows, when the air ride becomes available, will it be an option or will all the one tons have the air ride?

Thanks...Mike

 

[TulsaOkie]

I've had air bags on all of my trucks, very nice if towing. Leather seats are the only way to go !!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am holding out on the factory rear air suspension in a 3500 Dually with ALL the bells.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have not seen the factory air ride setup. IF it is anything like the Kelderman setup I have on my 04 it will be quite spectacular for towing.

 

[jus2shy]

OK, so here's the gist on Air suspensions. On the 2500's, the coil springs are replaced with air bellows, so the rear suspension is a true air suspension similar to the big-rigs. Heck, even similar to the Kelderman that many reference. The 3500's still uses a leaf spring to locate the axle, but the spring pack is reduced to just a single spring to soften the ride and an additional air-spring is added to level the load as needed. So the air-suspension plays a supporting role on the 3500. So technically when unloaded it should be a more compliant ride there as well.

As for production, current rumor that I've read on the inter-webs is April 2014 for start of production.

For leather interior, my truck is a BigHorn so it came with cloth. I told the dealer that I didn't want the Laramie with the 8.4 and all that jazz, I was happy with the 5.0 Uconnect system and all the options on the bighorn. Only thing missing was a leather interior. So they went ahead and ordered a Katzkin interior that replaced all the seats and the vinyls on the back of the center front seat (I have a bench front seat, another thing I really wanted). The leather is of the same quality as the stuff on my 2010 F-150 that I upgraded from (In fact I think it may even be better as the seats show now where with 6,000 miles so far). It only cost me 1,000 to put leather in. Much easier to keep clean than cloth.

 

[MJWenrich]

The Big Horn is what I priced out with the bench seat. I need the leg room without banging up against a console, although the console would be nice for cups, phone, etc. I drove two trucks and one had the leather and the other had the fabric. I have leather in my Laramie now and like the ease of cleaning since I am a dirtbag it seems and involved in all kinds of volunteer work. But the ride of my current truck is becoming more of a problem for my aging back on long drives. I figure the dark color fabric will be cleanable or I will get covers for when I do the really dirty work. The leather Mega Cab I drove was just too stiff but I did like the ventilated seats since it gets hot where live. I sort of hoped some owners with the 2500 air ride would have chimed in here so we know what to expect. But I appreciate the above comment about the configuration of the spring(s) and bags. Thanks for the input. I will likely hold off until the air rides are out and try one of those. That means I will miss May Madness with a new truck but may go with my present truck.

Mike

 

[slingshot383]

Instead of the bench, look at the 40 20 40 front seat, no console, but a lot of really nice features.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

There are several makers of nice seat covers. Geno's Garage has one brand. On this forum, Marathon and Headwaters were mentioned favorably also. With the huge discounts I have seen mentioned on this forum, such as Keene in Maryland (and other dealers are discounting similarly), if I had waited until now and not wanted copper color, etc. I could get a Longhorn will sunroof, and all kinds of toys for just a couple thousand more! That is the trade-off, better selection last July, better discounts now if you aren't as particular about exactly what options are on the Ram.

 

[SearsK]

Rear auto level suspension is available NOW. A dealer quoted me $1595.

 

[Mawvelous]

The coil spring rear suspension in THE 2500 has improved the ride. Do you need a 3500? The ride is not going to significantly improve with or without airbags

 

[SnoKing]

Rear auto level suspension is available NOW. A dealer quoted me $1595.

If one is counting on the pin weight of a 5th wheel settling the rear down for a level tow, the air with auto leveling suspension might be an issue. Who wants to be FIRST??? I personally think they placed the air bags way to far inboard from the pictures I have seen.

Our Buick Rainier SUV with a similar setup, always has its rear in the air!!!

If ram set the ride level, that might be a different matter.

Again, who wants to be First?? Cummins12V98????

Chris