RAM 3500 Bait and Switch Rear Air Suspension

[HorseMan-AR]

The ratings are the same with or without air. The dealer said my truck is in D status which means it has a firm scheduled build date but no ship or delivery date het. He said he would have that info in about a week.

He did not reply to my concern about the different suspension then I based my order on.

I will wait and see how people react to the system as they start putting them into service.

Same here...I have one on order, and I've read the posts on two different forums. I'm not happy about the set-up. The poster, as quoted by the OP here stated you can not adjust ride height when empty...this is very much unlike the 2500 air set up, which I currently have. Dropping the ride height by an inch on the 2500 is very nice for hooking up the fiver or loading things in the bed.

From the (3) forums I'm a member of, only the poster (quoted by OP) has presented an assessment, and it was not good, IMO.

I guess we'll wait and see. GSBROCKMAN says to keep my patience britches on, so I will for now! I was looking for it to operate as the 2500 did and provide a softer ride when empty. If those things are not accomplished with this design, I'm not sure I'm all in.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Some additional images of new 3500 rear air set up off RamZ forum - same poster quoted by OP here:

Very different than 2500 and very disappointing. Compressor and tank are in the same place as 2500 with air, the air bags look like Firestone bags if you ask me.

 

[NC Hauler]

Agree that the airbags look like the Firestone air bag set up and agree it doesn't seem like the "air assist rear suspension" that we read was coming on these trucks (if ordered that way)....BUT, if GVWR is still the same, at least it hasn't taken away from that...

I will say though, that the only way one could tell how effective the set up is, would be to tow a substantial amount of weight like Ron (Cummins12V98) does, ie, heavy 5er with a decent amount of pin weight... Doubt loading up with a light amount of weight as was reported would affect the suspension that much anyway....Don't even know if I could tell that much difference in ride with my 5er, loaded to 16,300# and pin weight of a little over 3400#..THOUGH I would be willing to bet if one is towing on curvy, mountainous roads, one might feel the ride would be smoother in that aspect....but empty or towing lighter weights....don't believe one would be able to tell much of a difference if any at all, per the earlier post on a light weight load.

 

[Sticks]

Double tap

 

[Sticks]

What an air ride system is supposed to look like, and function

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I'd be saving my money and installing a Kelderman system.

 

[SnoKing]

View attachment 90448Some additional images of new 3500 rear air set up off RamZ forum - same poster quoted by OP here:

Very different than 2500 and very disappointing. Compressor and tank are in the same place as 2500 with air, the air bags look like Firestone bags if you ask me.

That air line to the passenger side bag and the shielding on the line and tail pipe indicates they are concerned about exhaust heat. HOpe it is enough! SNOKING

 

[Stab]

Well, I can only hope that the dually bags are a little more substantial that the "Far-stoned" bags I've been using for the last 35 years!

I still think the rest of the equipment (compressor, tank and controls) are worth the $1300+ (invoice) I paid for. If not, then I guess I'll swap the whole thing out for an Air Baggit or Kilderman system. My only regret will be that I didn't have my truck a year earlier....waiting on this system from the factory.

The thing I will probably NOT do is post on this forum of how bad the system is BEFORE it is in my hands.

I too haul heavy and will be testing this system to the extreme WHEN it hits the ground (driveway)!

I'm told I will have it in the next few days. I'll believe it when I see it!

 

[NC Hauler]

Well, I can only hope that the dually bags are a little more substantial that the "Far-stoned" bags I've been using for the last 35 years!

I still think the rest of the equipment (compressor, tank and controls) are worth the $1300+ (invoice) I paid for. If not, then I guess I'll swap the whole thing out for an Air Baggit or Kilderman system. My only regret will be that I didn't have my truck a year earlier....waiting on this system from the factory.

The thing I will probably NOT do is post on this forum of how bad the system is BEFORE it is in my hands.


I too haul heavy and will be testing this system to the extreme WHEN it hits the ground (driveway)!

I'm told I will have it in the next few days. I'll believe it when I see it!

With the way it's set up, yeah, I think it's worth the $1300....and agree that I'd wait until you hooked up and towed BEFORE you post anything about how it's working out for you ...though pictures of your set up might be nice

 

[Cummins12V98]

Stab

Please keep us informed of your impressions and some pics from a TDR guy would be nice also!

 

[AH64ID]

P

Well, I can only hope that the dually bags are a little more substantial that the "Far-stoned" bags I've been using for the last 35 years!

I still think the rest of the equipment (compressor, tank and controls) are worth the $1300+ (invoice) I paid for. If not, then I guess I'll swap the whole thing out for an Air Baggit or Kilderman system. My only regret will be that I didn't have my truck a year earlier....waiting on this system from the factory.

The thing I will probably NOT do is post on this forum of how bad the system is BEFORE it is in my hands.

I too haul heavy and will be testing this system to the extreme WHEN it hits the ground (driveway)!

I'm told I will have it in the next few days. I'll believe it when I see it!

Looks very worth $1300 to me!

 

[Dutch & Di]

Dutch & I will both be looking forward to your "test" of this system. I hope it works well. Hugs, Di

Well, I can only hope that the dually bags are a little more substantial that the "Far-stoned" bags I've been using for the last 35 years!

I still think the rest of the equipment (compressor, tank and controls) are worth the $1300+ (invoice) I paid for. If not, then I guess I'll swap the whole thing out for an Air Baggit or Kilderman system. My only regret will be that I didn't have my truck a year earlier....waiting on this system from the factory.

The thing I will probably NOT do is post on this forum of how bad the system is BEFORE it is in my hands.

I too haul heavy and will be testing this system to the extreme WHEN it hits the ground (driveway)!

I'm told I will have it in the next few days. I'll believe it when I see it!

 

[Cummins12V98]

One of the selling points for me was the truck would ride near level at all times loaded or unloaded. I was hoping for some adjustment when hitching as in being able to raise or lower the rear to hook up to the 5er.

If the bags keep the truck "level at all times I will be happy. A better unloaded ride will be a bonus.

 

[sag2]

I'm not sure where it was advertised as being the same as the 2500 air suspension. This is from the Chrysler Academy sales training information. It clearly states it is different from the 2500. It also looks to be the same info that was covered at May madness last year. Keep in mind this page is all about the 2500 system, but clearly shows the 3500 is supplemental air Suspension.View attachment 2500-3500 Air Suspension.doc

 

[AH64ID]

The biggest difference I see is the method of controlling axle wrap has changed.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Well, I can only hope that the dually bags are a little more substantial that the "Far-stoned" bags I've been using for the last 35 years!

I still think the rest of the equipment (compressor, tank and controls) are worth the $1300+ (invoice) I paid for. If not, then I guess I'll swap the whole thing out for an Air Baggit or Kilderman system. My only regret will be that I didn't have my truck a year earlier....waiting on this system from the factory.

The thing I will probably NOT do is post on this forum of how bad the system is BEFORE it is in my hands.

I too haul heavy and will be testing this system to the extreme WHEN it hits the ground (driveway)!

I'm told I will have it in the next few days. I'll believe it when I see it!

Awesome...would love to hear comments when new truck arrives!! Particularly how it rides...

 

[brillmtb]

I drove the 3500 yesterday. Pretty stiff although cant say harsher than my 03 2500. I am interested in how the air ride on the 3500 will compare with the regular springs. Cant find one in stock to test drive. Has anyone else. The reason I want to go 3500 is for the aisin transmission otherwise a 2500 with aisin would work for me and perhaps have a better ride?

 

[Cummins12V98]

I drove the 3500 yesterday. Pretty stiff although cant say harsher than my 03 2500. I am interested in how the air ride on the 3500 will compare with the regular springs. Cant find one in stock to test drive. Has anyone else. The reason I want to go 3500 is for the aisin transmission otherwise a 2500 with aisin would work for me and perhaps have a better ride?

Lower the rear air pressure to 45 and then take on a test ride. The Aisin is only available in 3500 SRW/DRW.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Lower the rear air pressure to 45 and then take on a test ride. The Aisin is only available in 3500 SRW/DRW.

This definitely helps......When I test drove the truck I ended up buying, it rode horrible. The salesman let me take a several hour test drive so I went home and checked the tires........80 lbs all around:-laf Dropped them to 60 in front and 45 in the rear, world of difference. Still running these numbers and tire wear after 5000 miles in good.

Sam

 

[Sticks]

60 in front - wow. I'd have kept them at 80. Awful lot of weight over that front axle. Agree with 45 in the rear.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I run 80 front always on my 11 dually, rear 45 solo and 60 loaded. 35K on MS2's with even tread wear.

If I had a 3500 SRW I would run 75-80 front and 45 rear unloaded. Loaded rear would be based on load.

Too many run too little front and too much rear.