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Old 10-17-2015, 06:56 PM   #1
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Air suspension...why ?

What does air suspension do that improves towing? How does it do it? Is it worth investing in?
I have a 2014 Ram 5.7 Hemi, no air suspension and tow a Jayco Ultra lite model 23RLSW
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Old 10-17-2015, 07:02 PM   #2
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it keeps the suspension height consistent regardless of the load...at least that is what it did for my SUV pulling a 7500 lbs trailer!!
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Old 10-17-2015, 07:42 PM   #3
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it keeps the suspension height consistent regardless of the load...at least that is what it did for my SUV pulling a 7500 lbs trailer!!
This for sure though I can't give you a comparison of towing with and without it as I've only towed my camper with it. It does take a little different approach to installing and adjusting the hitch though. There are many benefits it provides outside of towing as well. The ride - both empty and loaded - is better than the stock suspension. Plus you have the ability to lower the entire vehicle to make it easier to get in/out as well as load/unload the bed - not to mention lowering it if you think the clearance in a parking garage is close. There are also 2 "off-road" settings that can provide you increased clearance as well.

This is about a $1600 option when factory-installed. I do not know what the cost of having it added after delivery would be but I'm guessing that it's likely quite a bit more. Since my RAM is a daily driver, and I sometimes fill the crew-cab up I liked the better ride it provided and the ability to lower the truck for those who might have a harder time making the step up.
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Old 10-18-2015, 02:05 AM   #4
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Just get Firestone 1000lbs air bags installed in the coils..less than $500 depending where u r located and if u want built in compressor.. Helps take load off stock suspension(not the strongest cuz it's only a 1/2tonne). For me, the before and after was noticeable, smoother ride while towing with my air bags.
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Old 10-18-2015, 02:24 PM   #5
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Count me in among the air bag fans. I put a 2" level kit in the front of my 2010 Sierra 1500 shortly after buying it because I don't care for the "nose-down" factory look of the 1500's. After purchasing our trailer, I could never overcome enough rear end sag regardless of WD hitch settings until adding a set of Firestone air bags. I can't believe how much better it rides when towing and the attitude of my truck is spot-on. I bought a damaged box kit from Amazon for just $269 and self-installed them in my driveway in about an hour and a half with the help of a buddy. I run around town with the recommended minimum of 10lbs on most occasions. When towing, I only need to air up to 20lbs for a perfectly level and smooth ride.
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Old 10-18-2015, 03:19 PM   #6
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I installed Air-Lift 1000 and have now the choice to leave the WDH home without overloading my rear axle. Don't try this with a heavier TW and a fully loaded TV then the WDH is definitely needed.
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Old 10-18-2015, 06:59 PM   #7
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I installed Air-Lift 1000 and have now the choice to leave the WDH home without overloading my rear axle. Don't try this with a heavier TW and a fully loaded TV then the WDH is definitely needed.
I'm not sure I'd agree with this. While the air suspension will eliminate the sag in the rear end it doesn't do anything to restore the proper load back to the front axle. I've scaled mine both with and without weight distribution engaged. In both cases the trailer was level as expected due to the air suspension. But without weight distribution engaged the front axle was almost 140lbs lighter than normal, and you could tell the difference when under way. Tongue weight is 450lbs, about 12.5% of the loaded trailer weight of 3620, and I think that would be characterized as a lighter tongue weight.
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Old 10-18-2015, 08:16 PM   #8
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Just get Firestone 1000lbs air bags installed in the coils..less than $500 depending where u r located and if u want built in compressor.. Helps take load off stock suspension(not the strongest cuz it's only a 1/2tonne). For me, the before and after was noticeable, smoother ride while towing with my air bags.
I'll second that. Night and day difference, especially at interstate speeds.
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