RAM 3500 Bait and Switch Rear Air Suspension

[RaceC]

I need better ride comfort. My current truck has a Kelderman 2-Stage Rear Air Suspension. I am buying a new truck soon and was hoping this would be it.

The 2014 Ram 3500 "Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension System" was described as "a single leaf spring replaces the multi-leaf spring, with air springs mounted on top of the axle...". Note it says "single leaf spring" and does not say "Supplemental". That system should have given a much smoother ride.

The 2015 brochure shows two leaf springs. If the ride comfort is not significantly better, the only benefit left is auto leveling. That can be done with standard leaf springs and air bags.

I am waiting for more user reports and hoping for the best.

If this air suspension does not provide better ride comfort, I will be back to aftermarket systems like Auto Flex, Kelderman, and R4Tech. I was hoping to avoid that.

 

[Ram4Sam]

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.

I run them up when towing but unloaded I get even tire wear with those numbers and the ride is less harsh on our crappy roads here.......

Sam

 

[SnoKing]

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.

75-80 on a LT275/70R18E is 3530 - 3640 pounds capacity. Given the Front will weigh 5K + or -, running 75-80 is over inflation.

Here is the inflation table for that size:
LT275/70R18 Single 2070@35 2270@40 2470@45 2680@50 (C) 115 2840@55 3020@60 3195@65 3360@70 3530@75 3640@80 (E) 125

Mine when it arrives will run around 60-65 in the front, I just have to win the lotto first!

SNOKING

 

[gsbrockman]

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

Probably the most sage advice within this entire thread.

 

[Cummins12V98]

75-80 on a LT275/70R18E is 3530 - 3640 pounds capacity. Given the Front will weigh 5K + or -, running 75-80 is over inflation.

Here is the inflation table for that size:
LT275/70R18 Single 2070@35 2270@40 2470@45 2680@50 (C) 115 2840@55 3020@60 3195@65 3360@70 3530@75 3640@80 (E) 125

Mine when it arrives will run around 60-65 in the front, I just have to win the lotto first!

SNOKING

Ah Grasshopper!

You need to account for the front tires and edges wearing if you want the best mileage out of your tires. Traction is not an issue since the load transfers to the front tires when braking.

I agree it sounds like too much and you know I am always touting using the weight/inflation charts. Actually the new RAM will have 40 rear solo and 80 front all the time. I don't rotate Dually tires except for side to side on fronts.

My 98 2500 4X4 always had 45 rear solo and 72 front I would air to 80 rear towing and as I have said before I easily got 100-120K on Michelin or BFG's on that truck. I did drive a lot of freeway with that truck.

 

[SnoKing]

Ron, we tend to age out tires before wearing them out. As retired seniors without dental insurance we would just as soon keep my fillings in place! SNOKING

#ad

 

[brillmtb]

Snoking,

You might be dead on and that would be a huge blow to the Ram. I am looking at the 3500 air vs regular sping pack just to get the aisin. I only tow a 10K 5th wheel so the 2500 would work but then I cant get the better, I think, transmission. since I keep my trucks for 10+ years I want the best transmission. I am waiting for the salesman at Dave Smith and others to comment on the air ride when they actually come in. He didnt think the air is adjustable which is one problem but if the spings are softer unloaded and the truck rides well loaded with air I will go with the air suspension. If there is doubt then I will go with the regular springs.

Just have to drive my wifes MDX if i want comfort and speed

 

[JR]

Assuming a 5000 pound front end empty, and this is only an estimate based on my empty front end weight (I know the 4th gens are substantially heavier, just not sure exactly HOW much)

5000 lbs / 2 tires = 2500 lbs per tire.
2500lbs / 3640 lbs (max weight rating of a 275/70/18 per SNOKING)= .68 x 80 psi (max recommended inflation of tire) = 55 psi minimum air pressure. Nothing wrong with running slightly higher pressure for economy as long as your not crowning the tire. 60-65 psi would probably be just fine (empty)

 

[Ram4Sam]

Assuming a 5000 pound front end empty, and this is only an estimate based on my empty front end weight (I know the 4th gens are substantially heavier, just not sure exactly HOW much)

5000 lbs / 2 tires = 2500 lbs per tire.
2500lbs / 3640 lbs (max weight rating of a 275/70/18 per SNOKING)= .68 x 80 psi (max recommended inflation of tire) = 55 psi minimum air pressure. Nothing wrong with running slightly higher pressure for economy as long as your not crowning the tire. 60-65 psi would probably be just fine (empty)

This is pretty much how I figured it, no need for all that pressure on a lesser load. I don't think I have ever worn out a set of tires on any of my Rams, they always age out on me.

Sam

 

[AH64ID]

I run 65 front empty and 75 front loaded, even thou I'm lighter loaded than empty. Front tires need more than rears for handling, on the rear I run chart pressure plus about 5 psi.