Roadmaster active Suspension thoughts?

[Randomrunner12]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone ever heard of a company called Road Master Active Suspension?

A few guys at work recommended that I check them out as they function the same as traction bars but use a large spring and supports instead and work with the leaf springs. I did some reading on the site and it seems like a really great idea and I am talking with their sales reps on a kit.

I had traction bars at 1 point on my truck (sig wont post) but the wife hated the ride with them so I am looking into another option to eliminate the axle wrap, terrible jouncing and bouncing on the crap roads here in DFW without binding the suspension. Hence the road master question.

If anyone has any other suggestions I am open. I still have the traction bar mounts welded to the truck for now.

 

[AEdelheit]

Traction bars can work well and not hinder ride quality but they have to be set up correctly, most are way too long and put the suspension in a bind. I have Patton Fab traction bars on my truck and pull 13.5-14" of rear suspension travel and have felt no noticeable decrease in suspension performance on or off road. I have a tuned 5.9 with built transmission, 37" tires and tow a 11k toy hauler, can put my foot to the floor going up a hill from a dead stop and have zero drive line vibration or shutter.

 

[Randomrunner12]

That was my issue. I had terrible bucking from a start or rolling start. My bars were 72" long then with the hiem joints installed and bolted to truck ended up being a total of 75" long from center eyelet to center eyelet.

The ride became much stiffer like riding in a 6x6 and was just terrible for my wife. I didnt mind it but since we drive it everywhere we have to compromise. Thus the roadmaster system im looking at.

 

[AEdelheit]

Ya that is way too long but how they mount to the frame and axle also comes into play, if you have a 2pc drivline that may be causing some vibration too. For reference the Patton fab traction bars I have are 46" long.

I dont have any experience with the Roadmaster but looks like a lot of parts to go wrong and have a very hard time believing it would really control axle wrap but could be wrong.

 

[Randomrunner12]

You have a link for the bars? I have to 2 piece shaft.

 

[AEdelheit]

https://www.pattonfab.com/product-p/dodgetraction.htm

 

[ofelas]

I've had Roadmaster Active Suspension on every Dodge pickup for the past 20 years or so.

Never lost a part, and they work well to control axle wrap.

There's also greatly reduced swaying while hammering the pedal on a tight sweeping on ramp at 90mph.

 

[seafish]

I've had Roadmaster Active Suspension on every Dodge pickup for the past 20 years or so.

Never lost a part, and they work well to control axle wrap.

There's also greatly reduced swaying while hammering the pedal on a tight sweeping on ramp at 90mph.

I have always wondered about these and their longevity as well as their actual contribution to rice and handling.

If you don;t mind my asking, what is the cumulative mileage that you have used these with, as well as the one set that had the highest mileage use on nay one truck.

 

[Randomrunner12]

I am curious to this as well as did you ever run air bags with these or feel the need too? I am concerned with getting this for the better handling and such but also with being able to use air bags to level a load.

 

[Bob4x4]

I experimented with them on my 94,they did everything as advertised.I ended up installing them on Dodge vans and Dakotas as well as other full size trucks.They had a recall on some of the parts in the kit(don’t remember which parts)
I eventually removed them from my truck because I was not thrilled with how they worked off road.
If you would like a more current update on the product line you may want to contact MrBobs distributing.He has been to quite a few May Madness events as a vendor and has used them on his personal Dodge diesels.

 

[seafish]

Do they make kits for the 2500 or do you just use the 1500 kit on the 2500??

 

[Randomrunner12]

Seafish they make kits for the 2500s. My vehicle is a 2wd so it wont ever see off road anyways and i have tire chains for bad ice and snow in dfw LMAO.

I am going to look into them further and decide is this is my xmas gift to me lol.

 

[seafish]

Please DO post back your impressions if you get them.
The custom traction bars that I mounted to reduce axle wrap have affected the ride quality of my Carli kit somewhat despite pivoting in motion with the suspension. If these will help alleviate some axle wrap while still allowing a softer ride, then I may will also conisder investing in them.

 

[ofelas]

Over a million miles in total, the one with the highest mileage was on a supercharged 2001 OffRoad that wore out rear tires real quick. The ride stiffness is adjusted by the spacing between the tensioner coils. Aside from the reduced sway, tire wear & the rear wheel traction on ice were the greatest benefits to me.

I have always wondered about these and their longevity as well as their actual contribution to rice and handling.

If you don;t mind my asking, what is the cumulative mileage that you have used these with, as well as the one set that had the highest mileage use on nay one truck.

I have never run airbags with the Loadmaster Suspension. There's some further info on their website though.

I am curious to this as well as did you ever run air bags with these or feel the need too? I am concerned with getting this for the better handling and such but also with being able to use air bags to level a load.

The part that was changed was the front adjuster stud bracket. Previously it was an L shaped bracket that fit under the u-bolts. Some folks didn't re-tighten the bolts enough, so Roadmaster replaced the L with parallel brackets that fit outboard of the leaf springs, so people didn't have to disturb any existing hardware. I've attached a generic pic of their older bracket mount (I prefer it, as its a bit more elegant).

I experimented with them on my 94,they did everything as advertised.I ended up installing them on Dodge vans and Dakotas as well as other full size trucks.They had a recall on some of the parts in the kit(don’t remember which parts)
I eventually removed them from my truck because I was not thrilled with how they worked off road.
If you would like a more current update on the product line you may want to contact MrBobs distributing.He has been to quite a few May Madness events as a vendor and has used them on his personal Dodge diesels.

 

[AEdelheit]

It sounds like these just increase spring rate and allow you to adjust the tension easily then?????

 

[Bob4x4]

A lil spring rate a lil anti wrap

 

[ofelas]

Ed Zachary.
And a lil anti sway

A lil spring rate a lil anti wrap

 

[AEdelheit]

Ed Zachary.
And a lil anti sway

Well the 2 sides are not connected so its not acting like a sway bar, seems like the increased spring rate is reducing sway but I wouldn't consider that to be a true anti sway. Unless Im missing something????

 

[Bob4x4]

Another thing it does,it gets the weight off the thick overload leaf so the ride is softer till it hits the overload