Adding air to 2500 factory air suspension

[Kish163]

When I ordered my HD 2500 with air suspension I had assumed I could add air to eliminate the sway I encounter with my truck camper on board. In the past I installed air suspension to all my Rams and this always helped.
Is there a way to add air or am I basically screwed?

 

[tchur1]

Im confused on what you are asking? If you ordered the air suspension it comes with built in compressor and management system. The truck will automatically add air as needed, you dont need to do anything.

 

[Kish163]

I want to add more air to stiffen the suspension. It sways from side to side far too much.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I want to add more air to stiffen the suspension. It sways from side to side far too much.

You have to add suplemental airbags as they sit out further towards the wheels to add much more stability the issue is the factory coils/ram air suspention is too inboard which causes the off balance feeling. The other thing you could do is a bigger rear swaybar but i consider that to be a bandaid as its not the true issue

 

[tchur1]

You have to add suplemental airbags as they sit out further towards the wheels to add much more stability the issue is the factory coils/ram air suspention is too inboard which causes the off balance feeling. The other thing you could do is a bigger rear swaybar but i consider that to be a bandaid as its not the true issue

This is a good callout - I was thinking about the 3500 factory air vs the 2500. The 2500s w/air dont have supplemental suspension, only the airbags where the 3500s have leafs with supplemental airbags that are inboard from the leafs and much more stable.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

This is a good callout - I was thinking about the 3500 factory air vs the 2500. The 2500s w/air dont have supplemental suspension, only the airbags where the 3500s have leafs with supplemental airbags that are outboard from the leafs and much more stable.

The bags on the 3500 are ontop of the leafs iirc so no further out than the springs but the leafs have a 22” wider spread than the coils so the 11” per side makes a HUGE difference. Why they decided to inboard the coils so much is a mystery but engineers do silly things all the time

 

[Brutal_HO]

The bags on the 3500 are ontop of the leafs iirc so no further out than the springs but the leafs have a 22” wider spread than the coils so the 11” per side makes a HUGE difference. Why they decided to inboard the coils so much is a mystery but engineers do silly things all the time

They're not on top of the leafs on 3500, they sit inboard, partially in line with the frame rail, inside the spring pack just like aftermarket bags do.

 

[Kish163]

You have to add suplemental airbags as they sit out further towards the wheels to add much more stability the issue is the factory coils/ram air suspention is too inboard which causes the off balance feeling. The other thing you could do is a bigger rear swaybar but i consider that to be a bandaid as its not the true issue

Is it even possible to add supplemental airbags? Looking under the truck there’s no place to put them.

 

[tchur1]

Is it even possible to add supplemental airbags? Looking under the truck there’s no place to put them.

I dont have factory air on my truck so pardon the dumb question, but what happens when you hit the auto level button in the truck?

 

[Kish163]

I dont have factory air on my truck so pardon the dumb question, but what happens when you hit the auto level button in the truck?

I believe it senses the ride height in relationship to your towing or hauling weight and adds air to level the truck.
You can lower or raise the ride height with the push of a button. Comes in handy when hooking up a trailer. I lower it, then use the camera to get under the ball socket, then raise it. You still have to latch the hitch ball but it simplifies the process a little.

 

[Kish163]

You have to add suplemental airbags as they sit out further towards the wheels to add much more stability the issue is the factory coils/ram air suspention is too inboard which causes the off balance feeling. The other thing you could do is a bigger rear swaybar but i consider that to be a bandaid as its not the true issue

Possibly another bandaid but how about tires with a stiffer sidewall? Love my truck camper and don’t wanna get rid of it.

 

[jsalbre]

Possibly another bandaid but how about tires with a stiffer sidewall? Love my truck camper and don’t wanna get rid of it.

Your only semi-good option is what was suggested above: Install supplemental airbags. They'll sit further out than the stock bags and will make a big difference in stability.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

They're not on top of the leafs on 3500, they sit inboard, partially in line with the frame rail, inside the spring pack just like aftermarket bags do.

View attachment 44845

My mistake

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Possibly another bandaid but how about tires with a stiffer sidewall? Love my truck camper and don’t wanna get rid of it.

wont do much. The airbags would ride where the bump stops are, and when the camper is not in just run them with minimum pressure your auto level will still work for the most part

 

[Kish163]

Your only semi-good option is what was suggested above: Install supplemental airbags. They'll sit further out than the stock bags and will make a big difference in stability.

wont do much. The airbags would ride where the bump stops are, and when the camper is not in just run them with minimum pressure your auto level will still work for the most part

Does anyone know who makes a set that would work for my truck? They make them but for coil overs. The current OEM Air Suspension takes up space where aftermarket would go.

 

[jfreemanak]

I tried to do what you are wanting but it did not work out. I bought the regular Ride-Rite from Firestone. The air ride trucks don't sit as high in the rear as the regular coil trucks, and the bags were compressed to 3" high with no load. Sold the fifth wheel and got a travel trailer, so sold the air bags.

I love my 2500, but some things you need a 3500 for.

Sent from my motorola edge using Tapatalk

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Does anyone know who makes a set that would work for my truck? They make them but for coil overs. The current OEM Air Suspension takes up space where aftermarket would go.

No they do not the Bags go where the bump stops are airlift makes good ones

 

[tchur1]

I tried to do what you are wanting but it did not work out. I bought the regular Ride-Rite from Firestone. The air ride trucks don't sit as high in the rear as the regular coil trucks, and the bags were compressed to 3" high with no load. Sold the fifth wheel and got a travel trailer, so sold the air bags.

I love my 2500, but some things you need a 3500 for.

Sent from my motorola edge using Tapatalk

I didn’t want to say it, but this is probably the best solution. 3500 would solve this pretty quickly.

 

[Ramsomair]

I added Airlift bags in addition to the stock air ride suspension.

 

[Ramsomair]

Some pics