Auto level in 3500 diesel

[TERRA]

I am new to Ram and new to diesel (a[FONT=Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif]ll previous 4x4s were Tahoes.) 5 days ago ordered 2017 single rear wheel 4x4 crew cab 6.4 bed with Cummins/Aisin combo and auto leveling rear suspension option. Now I am having second thoughts on the auto leveling option. Although I am somewhat still confused, I read on this site how the system functions and works,. I will be using my Ram to carry a slide in camper and anticipate that fully loaded I will be over GVWR the vehicle will be used mostly for beach access. I don't foresee me towing with large tongue weights. So my concern is how does a 4300 lb slide in camper plus 800 lbs in passenger weight (about 300-500 lbs over GVWR) affect the auto leveling system and second do I really need it for the intended use of a slide in camper. Would it be better for me to install an after market manual system. Thirdly is it too late to cancel that option if I so desire. Thanks for your help. [/FONT]

 

[TERRA]

Well it's all a moot point in that the VIN # has been assigned. Somewhat surprised that as of 2013 ON 1/19 not one comment from any of the 86 people who read this post.

 

[SnoKing]

Well it's all a moot point in that the VIN # has been assigned. Somewhat surprised that as of 2013 ON 1/19 not one comment from any of the 86 people who read this post.

Short bed and slide in camper, not! Hope it is a small one made of SB trucks. what does the camper weigh? If you already know you are going to be over weight, why are you doing this?

SNOKING

 

[TERRA]

Snorking
Thanks for your reply. The slide in camper will be used mostly during the fall fishing season and a few other times. In terms of percent usage about 40% with camper 60% for general usage. A dual rear is not an option for a variety of reason (wife won't drive the dual, parkway use excluded, etc) I have researched and personally seen the camper Artic Fox 811 and there is no problem with the fit. Doing some computations I may be about 400lbs over the rear axle limit and close to that on the gross vehicle weight. My concern, which I think may be unfounded, is how will the auto leveling system react to an over limit load. I suspect probably minimally but just wondering if it will set off a code or alarm, if it will keep track of overload usage and somehow be used to void warrantee work, etc. I fully understand my concerns are grossly unfounded but this is my first pickup and first diesel so just to touch all bases,I figured I'd ask for expert opinions from this group. Incidentally most of the campers in my neck of the woods have overloaded vehicles by up to 800lbs.

 

[SnoKing]

Snorking
Thanks for your reply. The slide in camper will be used mostly during the fall fishing season and a few other times. In terms of percent usage about 40% with camper 60% for general usage. A dual rear is not an option for a variety of reason (wife won't drive the dual, parkway use excluded, etc) I have researched and personally seen the camper Artic Fox 811 and there is no problem with the fit. Doing some computations I may be about 400lbs over the rear axle limit and close to that on the gross vehicle weight. My concern, which I think may be unfounded, is how will the auto leveling system react to an over limit load. I suspect probably minimally but just wondering if it will set off a code or alarm, if it will keep track of overload usage and somehow be used to void warrantee work, etc. I fully understand my concerns are grossly unfounded but this is my first pickup and first diesel so just to touch all bases,I figured I'd ask for expert opinions from this group. Incidentally most of the campers in my neck of the woods have overloaded vehicles by up to 800lbs.

I would not personally want to exceed the tire ratings. My LT275/70R18E are rated to 3640 each. Hard to find 18" or 20" with higher rating. With a floor length of 9' it most likely will remove front axle weight and transfer to the rear axle with a short bed truck. You may want to consider the long bed with it's 600lbs of GVWR.

 

[TERRA]

Valid point on the tires. So both rear tires together can carry a load of 7280. If the total load of camper is 4300 that leaves 3000 for vehicle load on the rear. Am I correct on this assumption - if not then then please correct my wrong assumption. If vehicle weight is about 7000 and it is equally distributed between front and rare tires then I am about 500lbs overweight on the rear tires.

 

[SnoKing]

Valid point on the tires. So both rear tires together can carry a load of 7280. If the total load of camper is 4300 that leaves 3000 for vehicle load on the rear. Am I correct on this assumption - if not then then please correct my wrong assumption. If vehicle weight is about 7000 and it is equally distributed between front and rare tires then I am about 500lbs overweight on the rear tires.

You are way under on the trucks weight.

Here are weights for a CC 4x4 SB with Aisin. These numbers are for a low trim level truck.
Total 7,775 front 4,810 rear 2,965

Here are my truck weights ready to tow with 5th wheel hitch and two boxes in the bed with stuff.

Total 8900 front 5140 rear 3760. I do not believe that I have almost 800 lbs of hitch and stuff in the bed.

Just note that front axle does not vary much yet it is 330 more than RAMs figures. I would guest that your rear axle with weight around 3200-3300 ready for the camper, depending if you leave the tail gate on.

Simple fact is SRW's are not good for slide in campers unless you want to install 19.5 rims and tires, which the RIMs are getting difficult to find. SNOKING

 

[TERRA]

Snorking

Thanks for your help and info. I spoke to a friend who recommended a Helwig rear sway and Torklift Stable load.

 

[SnoKing]

Snorking

Thanks for your help and info. I spoke to a friend who recommended a Helwig rear sway and Torklift Stable load.

Those will not solve overloaded rear tires. SNOKING

 

[p-Bar]

May want to think about 19.5 tires and wheels