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Ride Quality + Reliability for a 2500 with factory Auto Level/Air Suspension?

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DubVBenz

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As I'm narrowing things down and likely going to be ordering a custom build, I've been trying to research about whether or not the Auto Leveling/Air Ride suspension option on 2500s is worth it in terms of benefits vs costs.

None of my local dealers has cummins 2500 with the Auto Level/Air Suspension that I could compare with standard coils, so I can't evaluate these myself.

Does the Auto Level/Air Suspension provide any unloaded ride quality benefits, or is it really just a benefit when towing?

Regarding reliability, I know it can't possibly be as reliable as Coils, but what are people's experiencing in maintaining it long term? I assumed you could swap it to standard coils later on if necessary, but I'm not seeing much in the way of aftermarket support for that.

For a custom order, the option is pretty cheap (1700 bucks), so it seems like a no brainer if it improves upon unloaded ride quality, but I'm not sure if it's a make or break feature if I'm looking for trucks sitting on lots , where it's much less common.
 
I had it on my 2023 3500 DRW. I felt like it did help the ride quality unloaded. I imagine it helps the with the coil spring suspension as well.

Now with that said...I don't miss it.
 
I have it on my 2024 2500 and wouldn't change a thing. Drives great unloaded as well as when towing.
My 2017 1500 had full air ride with 160,000 miles when I sold it to a friend. Still has never had an issue.
My old 2018 2500 had coils. I added air bags for towing and it did not like harsh compression (over railroad tracks and such). It would bottom out the bag like hitting the bump stops.
 
I've got about 56k miles on my 2022 2500 with factory air. It's been great. Mostly a daily driver for me. Only about 10% of the miles are towing my 9k total (~1250lbs pin) 5er and it's worked great. I actually use the bed lowering mode every day to park under the 5er in the garage evey night. The bed lowering mode is the best feature of the factory air and a strong motivation to get a 2500 again when I need a new truck since the 3500 doesn't provide this option (not really unless there is weight in the bed, but there is no weight in the bed when hooking up to the trailer so it takes away a huge advantage.)
 
My 2022 has it and I am mostly pleased with it's performance.
I did have an issue this winter when it got quite cold (below 0F).
Some leaves and other debris had gotten between the bed and the cab, when this got wet and froze I got a service air suspension warning.
When it got up close to 32F it would clear and work. Once I found the build up and cleared it out the issue never came back.
 
I’ve been on factory air suspension 2500 since 2018. I love it. Especially now because it has not only trailer height button but bed lowering mode which makes the bed height go way down when getting in and out of it. I also don’t like any sag when towing which the air ride keeps perfect loaded or not. On a 3500 the lowering feature doesn’t work the same as like a 2500 because it has leafs also.
 
I have the air suspension in my '22 2500 and had it in my '18 2500. Unloaded ride is for sure better than coils alone. The only knock I've read about is if you haul pretty heavy, it can comprise stability as the air bags are inboard a bit compared to non-air coils. I've personally never had that issue, but my non-5th wheel trailer is not that heavy, ~7K.
 
jebruns said:
I have the air suspension in my '22 2500 and had it in my '18 2500. Unloaded ride is for sure better than coils alone. The only knock I've read about is if you haul pretty heavy, it can comprise stability as the air bags are inboard a bit compared to non-air coils. I've personally never had that issue, but my non-5th wheel trailer is not that heavy, ~7K.
Click to expand...
I can vouch you get the same instability on the coils, it feels like it’s wagging.
 
johanh13 said:
Right, the coils and air bags are in the exact same position. This 'wagging' problem is only for tall 5th wheel trailers, with gooseneck ball the problem does not occur.
Click to expand...
First time I noticed was on a 22 crew cab on coils with a 40’ gooseneck and multiple SxS’s loaded on it.
 
I get a tail wag unloaded over higher speed rolling dips ever since I installed the Fox 2.5" rear shocks. Softer compression so you can feel the wag. Going to install the Thuren rear track bar to correct the issue. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
 
johanh13 said:
Right, the coils and air bags are in the exact same position. This 'wagging' problem is only for tall 5th wheel trailers, with gooseneck ball the problem does not occur.
Click to expand...
And if you’re towing a tall & heavy 5th wheel, a one ton is the vehicle you should be driving anyways.
 
Vdrsnk said:
First time I noticed was on a 22 crew cab on coils with a 40’ gooseneck and multiple SxS’s loaded on it.
Click to expand...
Interesting that your experience is different from mine. I towed both stock and with mods listed in my sig. I have a 34' GN with air ride and hydraulic disc brakes. I have loaded that trailer far beyond the rating of my Ram and drove 75MPH with absolute stability. Attached are a few photos of my rig loaded up...
 

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