2014 Ram 3500 Air Suspension

[Nautique200]

What are your thoughts about this new air suspension from Ram for the 1-Ton? I need a dually and I'm not sure I want to be one of the first to have the all new air suspension. It sounds nice but how well will it haul a 5,000 lbs camper vs. the standard leaf spring set up we have all had for years? Will it be stable? Will it be reliable?

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/06/2014-ram-25003500-hd-first-look.html

What happens if the compressor dies with the camper on?

[dadwolf2]

egarant wrote:
According to ALLPAR, the air bag suspension on the 3500 will be supplemental, so it will have the springs AND the optional air bag suspension....

"Ram 3500 keeps the familiar Hotchkiss leaf spring system, with a supplemental air suspension on SRW and DRW trucks, to avoid giving up the trucks’ best in class payload, gross weight rating, or towing capacity (Ram 3500 can tow up to 30,000 pounds and has up to a 7,320 pound payload, with a peak GCWR of 37,600 lb)."

What you said is true, but if you look at the picture of the air suspension, it looks like it provides 90% of the suspension and the leaf 10%. While I'm a big fan of a well done air suspension, for those of us who like to get into the backcountry, I would be a little concerned at least until I see a high degree of historical reliablity.

[egarant]

According to ALLPAR, the air bag suspension on the 3500 will be supplemental, so it will have the springs AND the optional air bag suspension....

"Ram 3500 keeps the familiar Hotchkiss leaf spring system, with a supplemental air suspension on SRW and DRW trucks, to avoid giving up the trucks’ best in class payload, gross weight rating, or towing capacity (Ram 3500 can tow up to 30,000 pounds and has up to a 7,320 pound payload, with a peak GCWR of 37,600 lb)."

[Nautique200]

Hello All,
I ordered a 14 Ram 3500 DRW yesterday with the Aisin and 3.73 gears. The truck will have the leaf spring setup. I just was not willing to pay extra for a first year air suspension without having the opportunity to read some reviews or drive one.

[wintersun]

The truck manufacturers are trying to make their trucks more car like in terms of amenities like heated leather seats and softening the suspension. Not at all unusual. The Chevy 1/2 ton pickups in the 1960's had rear coil springs and Ford did its odd split axle front end on its 4WD trucks and SUV's in the 80's. Ford and Ram are at a disadvantage in not having the IFS found on GM 2500/3500 trucks.

But from my reading Ram is not offering an air suspension such as is found on modern Land Rovers or the hydropneumatic suspension introduced in 1954 by by Citroen more than half a century ago. Ram is going to be offering an "air bag suspension" as an option which means adding air bags at the factory. If the price is less than the cost to buy them yourself and pay someone to install them then it makes sense for buyers who know they will want the airbags. It makes sense for people planning to tow 5th-wheel trailers more than for hauling around a camper.

[sky_free]

Google "air suspension failure" for examples of the fun people have had with these systems. I had a GMC Envoy Denali with the system and it failed at about 98K miles. Yes, they are repairable, but for reliability you can't beat steel springs. There is actually a conversion kit for the Envoy to convert it from air to steel. Never again for me, but it is just another one of MANY complicated things on new vehicles that will eventually fail so it's probably not a big deal for most people.

[boogie_4wheel]

Personally, if I was in the market I'd be all over ordering me a new Ram with the air ride rear axle.

I've been toying with getting me a '14 MegaCab with the 6.4 and air. Too bad the wife beat me to spending the money and got herself a new Enclave.

[eHoefler]

I am ordering one when able to, hopefully in the next month or so. Air ride is as stable as any other suspension when not overloaded. As said above, it has been in the commercial trucking industry for decades.

[Buzzcut1]

I'll stick to leafs. If it can leak it will; and it will probably fail hours into the back country, the middle of a remote sw desert hwy, or in a major snow storm.

[Traveler_II]

Air suspension has been around a real long time. Semi truck with heavy load have used air suspension for years. Sure the compression might go out, but so can other things. I like the idea, I have a 2014 Ford on order and if I had known about this from my Ram dealer who only wanted to sell me what he had in stock I would have given serious consideration to a Ram.

There is a company in Canada that has made an after market air suspension systems to replace spring on pick-ups for several years and those I’ve talked to really like it, take a look.

http://www.autoflexsuspensions.com

[CAJW]

Nautique200 wrote:
Yes, the 1 ton is a 3500.

I just don't think you will be able to make this new suspension as stable as the current leaf spring setup. Stability is the reason I want a dually.

I believe you just answered your own question. Leaf springs, supplemented by air bags has been working effectively for years with TC. I don't believe you'll have as good as results without the leaf springs, but heck, what do I know. I learned the hard way (monetarily) that a first year models anything is often using the consumer to help the manufacturer work out the kinks. (Honda CVCC 1980 engines had a horrible off idle stumble, nuff said).

[Nautique200]

Yes, the 1 ton is a 3500.

I just don't think you will be able to make this new suspension as stable as the current leaf spring setup. Stability is the reason I want a dually.

[2oldman]

kerry4951 wrote:
I always wait a year or two and than do my research from owner feedback. It might be a great improvement overall but I just don't want to be the "tester".

Certainly air ride is not a new invention, but sure is OEM on that truck.

I put Link air on my harsh-riding F450 in 2004. It helped 'somewhat' on the unloaded ride, but much more with the 14k 5er on back. It made towing almost tolerable!

Sorry.. this is TC.

[kerry4951]

I decided years ago that I will not be the guinea pig for anything new and just out. I always wait a year or two and than do my research from owner feedback. It might be a great improvement overall but I just don't want to be the "tester".

[2oldman]

Nautique200 wrote:
What happens if the compressor dies with the camper on?

Well, that could be a problem - depending on how long the bags can hold pressure sans leakage. I've had aftermarket air ride on my F450 for years with no compressor problems, but there are small leaks.

You can look at it as a somewhat smoother ride or just something else to break.

BTW, what is a "1 ton"? Is that the 3500?