Air Suspension - Ram vs Aftermarket

[UglyViking]

@UglyViking What is the RAWR on your truck? My 2500/Hemi is 6,390lbs.

I'd have to double check but I think 6k. Surprised yours is so high.

 

[Jsboening]

There's two bed adjustment options.

• Bed lowering is for hooking up, etc. while parked
  • Activated with a radio button (can be put on the menu bar)
  • Most 3500 (air overload) won't lower much at all and none more than 1"
    • mine does ~3/4" with 50 gal tank and crossover box and gear, doesn't seem to matter if the hitch is in or not
  • 2500 is full air and can lower 2-3" depending on bed load.
• Alt Trailer Height will only activate if there's a load >~600 lbs (includes other existing bed "stuff")
  • Activated with a switch
  • Lowers the truck 1" to level

Thanks for clarifying. Much appreciated

 

[jebruns]

Isn’t there also a bed lowering option in the screen that you can drop the bed even lower while parked? On the 2500’s at least.

Yes, that's the "alternate ride height" I was talking about. Drops it an inch. You can leave it at the lower height while towing or raise it to normal height. Adjustments have to be done in park. Not nearly as adjustable as the 1500's, but it's much more reliable.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I'd have to double check but I think 6k. Surprised yours is so high.

Gassers have a higher GRAW than the cummins…


To the OP air bags from factory are not terrible and seem to work pretty well. Personally i ignore the people who comment “what if you blow an air bag” because the exact same could be said when you snap a coil spring, air bags have been proven from their decades of use in the trucking industry also in the custom vehicle industry…

Now that being said if you are anywhere in a cold climate you may have issues with the OEM compressor in winter some guys do some dont and it can be very frustrating

 

[Brutal_HO]

Isn’t there also a bed lowering option in the screen that you can drop the bed even lower while parked? On the 2500’s at least.

Yes, that's the "alternate ride height" I was talking about. Drops it an inch. You can leave it at the lower height while towing or raise it to normal height. Adjustments have to be done in park. Not nearly as adjustable as the 1500's, but it's much more reliable.

To be clear,

"Bed Lowering" function and "Alt Trailer Height" function are two different things. Two different buttons. I think you're conflating the two by your response to the other post, and if not, contributing to confusion about them.

Bed lowering automatically cancels at 8MPH regardless of any other condition (load).
Alt Trailer Height (ATH) only cancels if the load is removed and driven over 8MPH.

For anyone with an air system, it behooves you to read and understand the owners manual.


Normal Ride Height (NRH) – This is the standard
position of the suspension and is meant for
normal driving. It will automatically adjust to
maintain the rear ride height as conditions
change.

Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) – Lowers the
vehicle approximately 1 inch (25 mm) for a level
truck, to be used as required while trailer
towing. It will automatically adjust to maintain
the rear ride height as conditions change.

Trailer Decoupling/Unloading - The air suspension
system will continue to load level after the
vehicle has been turned off for 10 minutes
without compressor activation. This allows for
easy removal of a trailer and/or load from the
back of the truck by maintaining the ride height.
After 10 minutes you will need to turn the ignition
to the run position for the air suspension to
re-level due to addition/removal of load in the
vehicle. If the air suspension system is disabled
using the settings menu (Tire Jack Mode, Transport
Mode, Alignment Mode, or Bed Lowering
Mode) the system will remain disabled when
the vehicle is turned off. Reactivating the air
suspension can be accomplished via the
settings menu or driving the vehicle above
5 mph (8 km/h) for Tire Jack Mode, Alignment
Mode, Transport Mode and Bed Lowering
Mode.

NOTE:

• Most 3500 models will not lower to Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) when unloaded.
• Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.

Air Suspension Modes
The air suspension system has multiple modes
to protect the system in unique situations:

Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the
automatic leveling to be disabled. This mode is
intended to be enabled with the engine running.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” (if
equipped with a touch screen radio) for further
information.

NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with the
engine running.

Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the
road, the air suspension system has a feature
which will put the vehicle below Normal Ride
Height (NRH) and disable the automatic load
leveling system. This mode is intended to be
enabled with engine running. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” if
equipped with a touch screen radio for further
information.

NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with the
engine running.

Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment this mode
must be enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia”
(if equipped with a touch screen radio) for
further information.

NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with the
engine running.


Bed Lowering Mode
This setting is used to lower the rear suspension
to the lowest possible height and disable the air
suspension system. It enables easier loading/
unloading of the truck and makes it easier to
hook up trailers. Refer to “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” if equipped
with a touch screen radio for further information.

Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system,
the vehicle will disable load leveling as required
(suspension overloaded, battery charge low,
etc.). Load leveling will automatically resume as
soon as system operation requirements are
met. See your authorized dealer if system does
not resume.



(ATH)





 Transport Mode – No indicator lamps will be
illuminated. Transport Mode is disabled by
driving the vehicle, or deselecting the mode
via the interface.

 Tire/Jack Mode – No indicator lamps will be
illuminated. Tire/Jack Mode is disabled by
driving the vehicle, or by deselecting the
mode via the interface.

 Wheel Alignment Mode – No indicator lamps
will be illuminated. Wheel Alignment Mode is
disabled by driving the vehicle, or by deselecting
the mode via the interface.

 Bed Lowering Mode – Telltale on the cluster
will be illuminated. Bed Lowering Mode is
disabled by driving the vehicle, or deselecting
the mode via the interface.

 

[UglyViking]

Gassers have a higher GRAW than the cummins…


To the OP air bags from factory are not terrible and seem to work pretty well. Personally i ignore the people who comment “what if you blow an air bag” because the exact same could be said when you snap a coil spring, air bags have been proven from their decades of use in the trucking industry also in the custom vehicle industry…

Now that being said if you are anywhere in a cold climate you may have issues with the OEM compressor in winter some guys do some dont and it can be very frustrating

According to the tow sheet (link, pg. 6) they all have the same rear, which is why I was surprised to hear it.

I think the likelihood of blowing a bag is pretty low, I said so in my initial comment, the primary reason was the added stability because the bags are more outboard.

 

[jebruns]

To be clear,

"Bed Lowering" function and "Alt Trailer Height" function are two different things. Two different buttons. I think you're conflating the two by your response to the other post, and if not, contributing to confusion about them.

Apparently the "bed lowering" mode is something new for the 4.5's. That is not an option on my 18 2500. I have most of the other modes (ATH, alignment, etc). Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.