Roadmaster RAS

[Drolaw]

For those that have the Roadmaster RAS on your TV - do you find the quality of the ride improves, declines, or stays the same when not towing?

I found this quote on the Roadmaster site...

"With a Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS) kit installed, you will be amazed at the improvements...While adding this critical strength to rear leaf springs, installation of the RAS will NOT compromise ride quality."

I'm not a mechanical engineer but if you add strength to the suspension wouldn't your quality (comfort) be worse?

[SkyBound]

I didn't find any adverse effects on unloaded ride quality. One of the immediate improvements was the reduction in body roll when cornering. It tightened up the handling significantly. This upgrade doesn't act like an air bag or a timbren providing stiffness with a vertical stiffener. The coil spring assists the stock leaf springs in keeping their arch. As the leafs compress, the coil is stretched further. I think that air bags or timbrens reduce rear end squat better than RAS, and of course air bag pressures can be changed to compensate, but my truck benefited in other areas as well by going this route. RAS reduces axle wrap and also reduced the rear end shudder that the 157" wheelbase Fords are prone to.

If you go this route, you can change the level of tension on the coil springs which dictates how active they are. The more you crank them up, the more the rear end ride height of the truck will come up, so keep that in mind. Also, the springs tend to stretch at first, so you will need to readjust them a couple times as they break in to get them where you want them.

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I didn't find any adverse effects on unloaded ride quality. One of the immediate improvements was the reduction in body roll when cornering. It tightened up the handling significantly. This upgrade doesn't act like an air bag or a timbren providing stiffness with a vertical stiffener. The coil spring assists the stock leaf springs in keeping their arch. As the leafs compress, the coil is stretched further. I think that air bags or timbrens reduce rear end squat better than RAS, and of course air bag pressures can be changed to compensate, but my truck benefited in other areas as well by going this route. RAS reduces axle wrap and also reduced the rear end shudder that the 157" wheelbase Fords are prone to.

If you go this route, you can change the level of tension on the coil springs which dictates how active they are. The more you crank them up, the more the rear end ride height of the truck will come up, so keep that in mind. Also, the springs tend to stretch at first, so you will need to readjust them a couple times as they break in to get them where you want them.

X2. I was very happy with the RAS but ended up swapping it out for air bags when we got the Pinnacle as with the extra weight the truck “squatted” too much for my liking.

[Drolaw]

Glad to hear the ride was not affected. I see that etrailer has them in stock.

I upgraded from a F150 and believe it or not my new F250 drives better. I actually think the F150 may have had some problems because it never drove as smooth as my other trucks. I've been impressed with the F250/diesel and the power of the 6.7 powerstroke - lots of power.

Now I just need to figured out if I truly need the RAS. Does everyone put airbags or RAS systems on their trucks? I wondering if it's a need or a want? What are your thoughts?

[jsallman1]

I noticed a positive difference installing RAS on my '13 F150. I felt much more in control cornering faster, for instance on clover leaf high speed interstate interchanges, it did not lean side to side nearly as much. I definitely don't think it hurt the ride at all.

I have coils now on my ram 2500, so I cant use them, but wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I could.