2014 Ram 3500 Air Suspension

[SSteilow]

I was just on a Fifth Wheel forum i am member of and the discussion came up about the 2014 Ram 3500 Air Suspension.

What are your thoughts about this new air suspension from Ram for the 1-Ton? Has anyone ordered the 2014 with

the all new air suspension? Has there been a discussion about it on one of the other threads.

I would like to see how it operates and then think about getting the Truck after the brake in period. I would want

to have both the Air suspension and the current leaf spring setup on the suspension for Stability support.

What happens when the air suspension has air leaks, like today's current after market Air bags used today on Trucks.

Being used for towing, 5th Wheels, TT's or hauling Truck Campers. I just would like to here your thoughts.

Thank you for your replies.

Scott

 

[Hoefler]

Was at my dealer Sat. for service and talked with my salesman about it. We tried to order a new 14, but it does not show the suspension being available yet. I am going to order one when available. Air ride has been around in the trucking industry since the 60's, I believe there won't be any issues with it and will be a great feature to have. I have worked on several different air ride suspensions when I was a line mechanic at a KW dealership in the 80' and 90's. The are usually less maintenance and better ride.

 

[NIsaacs]

Being used for towing, 5th Wheels, TT's or hauling Truck Campers. I just would like to here your thoughts.

Thank you for your replies.

Scott

I think the air ride would be great for gooseneck, fifth wheel or even bumper hitch towing. However I don't think it would be so great for a heavy overhead camper. The air bags are inboard of the frame, very narrow support platform I would think for an 8ft wide weight placement.



Nick

 

[Bill Stockard]

I think the air ride would be great for gooseneck, fifth wheel or even bumper hitch towing. However I don't think it would be so great for a heavy overhead camper. The air bags are inboard of the frame, very narrow support platform I would think for an 8ft wide weight placement.



Nick

Yep, high center of gravity loads i. e. large slide in truck campers are much more stable (less sway) using leaf springs. It's the reason taller bump stops like the Torklift StableLoads work so well minimizing sway by transferring the load to the stiffer overload springs sooner than the with factory installed frame mounted bump stops. In many cases, depending on the truck's spring capacity and the camper's weight, the Stableloads eliminate the need for air bags.



Bill

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I dont know what the Air ride system design MOPAR is going to use, but I installed a Kelderman 4 link on my 04 Dodge and loved it. It has a very robust rear sway bar I noticed NO unusual sway when loaded heavy with the truck camper or the GN trailer.

 

[SSteilow]

Thank you all, Hoefler, Nlsaacs, Bill, Gonzo for all you replies.

Agree with the air bags being used for years in the trucking industry. I think it will be good to have for any towing. Not so good for Campers.

It's looking like ite going to be a personal choice to have. Will just have to see how the new trucks operate with the new air system and get all of bugs worked out, like any new system.

Scott

 

[SSteilow]

Opps added a second post oh well have more to post after the first.

It is looking like it will be a personal choice depending on the way use use your Truck. I will be watching the new Air ride system when it comes out

and see what bugs have to be corrected, like any new system added to a truck. Maybe Dodge can fix the way the air system is installed to work with a

Truck Camper, with Modifications just a thought. Depending on where you live Truck campers is popular on the West coast. A lot of the people with campers get after market air bags anyway for added support.

I will be waiting for the new 2014 to come out with the new air ride system and see how it operates.

Thank you again for your replies

Scott