2018 Ram 2500 Diesel; Rear air suspension issues/operation?

[WalterJ]

Guess I'm gunna buy a 2018 Ram 2500 diesel next week. (My 2004.5 is in the classifieds.)
I'm leary about the potential failure modes with a 2100# hitch weight whilst towing. This model year seems too new for any helpful blogs.

Do 14 check valves prevent leakage & maintain last position, then flash multiple strobes at me in the cockpit? Really need some experienced input before noon monday, Aug. 5th.

I considered a model w/o air suspension, so I could then add bags later for manual control, as I did on my 2004.5 Ram 12 years ago! Thanks all.

Wally

 

[AH64ID]

Mine is a 3500, but I think the operation of the 2 is similar... at least it is in the owners manual.

A flashing LED means that the ride height is currently changing, either from NORM to ALT or ALT to NORM. 2500's should be able to go into ALT without a payload, but that's just what I have read as I haven't messed with one in person.

Which EVIC does it have?

I have read, I think on TDR, about people getting failures from too much payload on their 2500 air suspension trucks... but it's hard to know how much weight that was. Looking at empty RAW to RAWR the system should be able to support at least 3000 lbs.

As far as leakage it's not a concern for me. My truck sits enough that I would know pretty quick if there was a leak, and there hasn't been. I had airbags on my 05 and they never leaked, so I have to think that the OE engineered system is as good and likely better.

My biggest concern with the 2500 is that there isn't a spring to fall back on in the event of a airbag failure, but I am not sure it's a huge concern.

 

[WalterJ]

Mine is a 3500, but I think the operation of the 2 is similar... at least it is in the owners manual.

A flashing LED means that the ride height is currently changing, either from NORM to ALT or ALT to NORM. 2500's should be able to go into ALT without a payload, but that's just what I have read as I haven't messed with one in person.

Which EVIC does it have?

I have read, I think on TDR, about people getting failures from too much payload on their 2500 air suspension trucks... but it's hard to know how much weight that was. Looking at empty RAW to RAWR the system should be able to support at least 3000 lbs.

As far as leakage it's not a concern for me. My truck sits enough that I would know pretty quick if there was a leak, and there hasn't been. I had airbags on my 05 and they never leaked, so I have to think that the OE engineered system is as good and likely better.

My biggest concern with the 2500 is that there isn't a spring to fall back on in the event of a airbag failure, but I am not sure it's a huge concern.

VIN# 3C6-UR5DL7JG-389121

 

[AH64ID]

Nice looking truck!

I think the black 20’s will look better on it than off it. If you were closer I’d highly consider them for my truck. Shorter sidewalls are better when loaded.

That truck has the large EVIC, so it will show you when the suspension is raising or lowering.

Is it new or used?

 

[WalterJ]

Nice looking truck!

I think the black 20’s will look better on it than off it. If you were closer I’d highly consider them for my truck. Shorter sidewalls are better when loaded.

That truck has the large EVIC, so it will show you when the suspension is raising or lowering.

Is it new or used?

New, 31 miles. Can I control the air suspension via touch screen? e.g. manipulate height hooking/unhooking trailer?

 

[AH64ID]

No, all you have to choose from are NORM or ALT.

There are a few maintenance modes, but they aren’t normally used. Alignment, secure transport, tire change, etc.

I have read some recommendations to use tire jack mode for hitching/unhitching a trailer. But I tried it, and I disagree with those recommendations. The suspension doesn’t adjust, and therefore it makes hooking/unhooking more difficult. Let the suspension raise/lower and pin/hitch weight increases or decreases... it’s a very simple hookup.

 

[DonFitzwater]

New, 31 miles. Can I control the air suspension via touch screen? e.g. manipulate height hooking/unhooking trailer?

Yes, you can lower your truck from normal ride height for ease of attaching your trailer. There are two positions. Normal and lowered ride height. This is only on the 2500s as the 3500 system is totally different.

I seriously doubt you’ll have any problems with that pin weight. The system will simply lock-out any changes if you overload it beyond 3400ish pounds.

 

[DonFitzwater]

No, all you have to choose from are NORM or ALT.

There are a few maintenance modes, but they aren’t normally used. Alignment, secure transport, tire change, etc.

I have read some recommendations to use tire jack mode for hitching/unhitching a trailer. But I tried it, and I disagree with those recommendations. The suspension doesn’t adjust, and therefore it makes hooking/unhooking more difficult. Let the suspension raise/lower and pin/hitch weight increases or decreases... it’s a very simple hookup.

The 2500 air system is purely airbags (no springs on the rear) and operates differently than the 3500 in ride height selection mode. My 3500 won’t lower unless there is a significant load already on the rear. The 2500s move whenever the operator commands it unless the system is locked out due to overload.

 

[WalterJ]

Yes, you can lower your truck from normal ride height for ease of attaching your trailer. There are two positions. Normal and lowered ride height. This is only on the 2500s as the 3500 system is totally different.

I seriously doubt you’ll have any problems with that pin weight. The system will simply lock-out any changes if you overload it beyond 3400ish pounds.

THANK YOU SIR! That's more than the "sales" team knew. In their partial defense, 1505, Sat, all techs gone home, but even the store mgr. couldn't find operator instructions via their web sites.

Just to be clear: "There are two positions. Normal and lowered ride height. This is only on the 2018 2500's" - correct? Thanks much to you & previous respondents - what an expertise ridden group y'all are!

Wally J.

 

[AH64ID]

All auto-level trucks, 2500 or 3500, from 2015+ have normal or alternate ride heights.

 

[WalterJ]

All auto-level trucks, 2500 or 3500, from 2015+ have normal or alternate ride heights.

Thanks. Again, sales team didn't know that, nor how to accomplish it. I looked for tell-tale buttons/switches & saw none. Late last night I saw a you-tube stream of the touch screen options to chose control of the suspension, e.g. 5 steps, but the you-tuber didn't make it clear what year Ram he was filming. Confusion continued...

Wally J.

 

[AH64ID]

The touch screen options are for the irregular use modes. The ALT ride height switch on the dash is what you will use 99% of the time.

 

[DonFitzwater]

My switch is next to my Aux upfitter switches in the lower portion of the center stack dash.

 

[HVAC2]

One of the reasons I didn't want it on our 2500 was we had it on our 1500 eco diesel. When unhitching it would not allow the ball to release. Truck would keep going up. So I would go in and lower it, separating ball and hitch. Occasionally a warning on the dash,, you have exceeded payload. ??

But, this is recorded on the ecm. 2 times when in the shop for egr, or reluctor it was noted I had exceeded payload. I can only imagine how that would have impacted warranty coverage for the air suspension parts??

Its a great system, but big brother is watching.

 

[Matthew Dalton]

Thanks. Again, sales team didn't know that, nor how to accomplish it. I looked for tell-tale buttons/switches & saw none. Late last night I saw a you-tube stream of the touch screen options to chose control of the suspension, e.g. 5 steps, but the you-tuber didn't make it clear what year Ram he was filming. Confusion continued...

Wally J.

Hey Wally j. How did this truck work out for you with your trailer? Is it a 5th wheel or bumper mount? What is the kitch or pin weight?

I'm looking at fifth wheels and trying to figure out what the air suspension can handle in the rear end. I have a 2018 2500.

Thanks.

 

[DonFitzwater]

[QUOTE="Matthew Dalton, post: 2656718, member: 1033891"I'm looking at fifth wheels and trying to figure out what the air suspension can handle in the rear end. I have a 2018 2500.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Did you look in your owners manual?

 

[Matthew Dalton]

[QUOTE="Matthew Dalton, post: 2656718, member: 1033891"I'm looking at fifth wheels and trying to figure out what the air suspension can handle in the rear end. I have a 2018 2500.

Thanks.

Did you look in your owners manual?[/QUOTE]

Yes, and just looked again. Only says don't exceed gvwr on your sticker inside drivers door.

If you go by the sticker;
Gvwr = 9900lbs
Gawr front and rear = 6000lbs
Payload to not exceed 1933 on sticker.
Full tank of def, fuel, and the driver (170lbs) = 8460lbs.
Therefore I can only put another 1440lbs in my box or cab by the "numbers"
However my rear axle came in at 3500 or so. So I have about 2500 remaining on rear axle, but that puts me over gvwr by 1000lbs.
The only thing I'm really worried about is overloading the air suspension system and having it go into excessive payload mode,in which case it will not operate properly. I cannot find any specifics on what the system can handle. The only thing I can think of is to experiment with different objects that I know the rough weight of or exact weight of to figure out where it will fault out.

 

[AH64ID]

At a minimum it should be capable of supporting the RAWR.

Yes the axle is the same as a 3500, but the suspension is not. No clue what the weakest part is thou, but likely wheels/tires and then air suspension.

Unlike a 3500 SRW vs DRW with air suspension there are significant differences between 2500 and 3500.

 

[Matthew Dalton]

At a minimum it should be capable of supporting the RAWR.

That's pretty much what I figure as well.