Air suspension ride quality 2500 CTD vs 3500 CTD SRW

[jebruns]

I've read a lot of posts about the 3500 unloaded ride quality with the factory air bags, but still don't have a clear answer. I own an 18 2500 CTD with air suspension, and ride quality unloaded is very good. I don't drive it a lot w/o a trailer attached, but enough to appreciate the softer ride. Getting ready to order out a truck and leaning toward a 3500 CTD. I don't really need the extra capacities, but kind of a future proofing/just in case thing. I know the 3500 has leaves with bags.

What I'd really like to have is feedback from folks that have owned both (or have extended drive time in both) a factory air suspended 2500 AND factory air suspended 3500 SRW, and can directly relate the two for ride quality unloaded. I don't think I'm willing to sacrifice the ride quality to get into a 3500 SRW.

 

[gimmie11s]

Any vehicle with leaf springs and air assisted bags is going to ride noticeably worse than a vehicle with only airbags.

 

[jebruns]

Any vehicle with leaf springs and air assisted bags is going to ride noticeably worse than a vehicle with only airbags.

Yeah, I'd think so too. I've read that toggling the Alternate Ride Height button on the 3500's does not drop them an inch like it does on my 2500, unless they have a load on. So to me that says the truck is riding on the springs when unloaded, not the bags. Yet some claim the ride is much better than the non-air bag models. I know the leaf spring is a bit different too, but only for the overload spring.

 

[gimmie11s]

Yeah, I'd think so too. I've read that toggling the Alternate Ride Height button on the 3500's does not drop them an inch like it does on my 2500, unless they have a load on. So to me that says the truck is riding on the springs when unloaded, not the bags. Yet some claim the ride is much better than the non-air bag models. I know the leaf spring is a bit different too, but only for the overload spring.

It's safe to say the one ton with air is absolutely going to ride worse than your 2500 with air, but people's tolerance of an HD truck's ride varies greatly. That said, I find the ride of my DRW with air acceptable. Not plush by any means, but much better than I'd expect from a DRW truck capable of towing 33k lbs.

You'll see lots of mixed info on how the 3500 air trucks are delivered regarding airbag firmness from the factory.

Mine, as an example, had the drivers side airbag firm in stock, unloaded form while the pass side was near empty and soft. I rotated the sensor bracket some which allowed the drivers side bag to deflate making the ride nicer.

The best way to do it on the 3500s is to buy a set of adjustable (or make a set) rods so YOU have control of how much air is in the bags unloaded.

2014-2025 RAM 2500/3500 Adjustable Air Suspension Links For Lifting

These easy-to-install kits quickly replace the stock rear sensor arms to Billet Aluminum Fully Adjustable Sensor Links. With these links you can safely adjust the stock ride height by up to 2.5

www.revelperformance.com

 

[gimmie11s]

I forgot to mention, the spring pack is in fact different on the Air trucks with less springs than the non-air.

 

[The HOFF]

I have a 3500 with air ride suspension. If you don’t have enough load it won’t let you activate. It says load not detected. Ow sometimes after I haul I leave it activated because it is a little bit smoother ride but not sure I much. Now with it off and only on springs it’s ok not horrible just don’t hit some hard tail road bumps because you will feel them.


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[loveracing1988]

I don't have air ride, just a leaf spring 3500 and I have no complaints for the ride quality. I really expected bruised kidneys on the test drive and it got to the point I was trying to find pot holes and expansion joints to try and make the truck ride rough and couldn't do it. It definitely rides better than my 2014 2500 did. The rear of the air suspension 3500's sits 1" lower than the non air 3500's id that matters to you.

 

[Straightravage]

I owned a 19 3500 CTD HO with air suspension. I now own a 22 2500 CTD with air suspension.
Which air suspension rides better 2500 all day long!

The only real questions is if you need more payload capacity, if you don’t or never will then get the 2500.

 

[jebruns]

I owned a 19 3500 CTD HO with air suspension. I now own a 22 2500 CTD with air suspension.
Which air suspension rides better 2500 all day long!

The only real questions is if you need more payload capacity, if you don’t or never will then get the 2500.

Was the 3500 you owned a dually or SRW?

 

[Straightravage]

I had the single wheel

 

[jebruns]

Thanks