Overload warning 3500 factory air suspension

[AH64ID]

I’m not real sure what the gap is prior. I never paid attention to them until I put the camper on. I’ll be removing the camper in the next day or two so I will check then. I think it was around an inch before I put in alt height mode but it already had the camper on at that point and failed to raise it to full height when the warning light came on.

Let me measure my gap tonight, but I think you want it less than an inch so that when the truck lowers an inch in alternate ride height a fair amount of weight is on the overloads before the airbags start supporting it again. My 2018 took about 500lbs in the bed to engage alt and my 2022 takes closer to 750lbs.

If it’s the same spring pack as a DRW then we know it’s capable of taking the extra weight, just because of the SRW they de-rate the max GVWR for DOT purposes. What is the difference between SRW and DRW max GVWR, 1600 lbs? All that extra weight must be in the RAW I would assume.

The FAWR is the same but the RAWR is 2,750 lbs more, even thou the GVWR is only 2,200lbs more than a CCSB and 1,700lbs more than a CCLB.

Even on the SRW FAWR+RAWR > GVWR.

 

[Thorvald]

I’ve always wondered about that alternate trailer height button. Could never find a reason for it. But taking weight off the airbags sounds plausible, but weird they don’t mention it in the manual. Seems like something they should.

This is all it says:

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.

Interesting that it says trailer towing but then it says as required. Define required?….

What throws me off is they never mentioned anything about trailer towing with weight, distribution bars, and what to do with the air suspension. At least that I can find. It just states:

Towing With 2500/3500 Air Suspension
1. Position the truck to be ready to connect to the trailer (do not connect the trailer).

NOTE:
Normal Ride Height (NRH) or Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) can be used. The vehicle must remain in the engine running position while
attaching a trailer for proper leveling of the air suspension system. It may not be possible to enter Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) while lightly
loaded.

It doesn’t explain why I would use normal or alternate.

 

[AH64ID]

@JasonGaley I have about 5/8" between my forward overload bumper and the main leaves. That's a little less than my 2018 had and probably why the 2022 takes a little more weight to engage alternate ride height.

I’ve always wondered about that alternate trailer height button. Could never find a reason for it. But taking weight off the airbags sounds plausible, but weird they don’t mention it in the manual. Seems like something they should.

Go take a look at the lower overloads, that's why you use alternate ride height. The improved ride, handling, and stability while loaded is very noticeable.

Interesting that it says trailer towing but then it says as required. Define required?….

I believe the as required is in there because not all trailers/payload will be sufficient to engage alternate ride height on a 3500.

My general practice is that if I have sufficient payload to engage alternate ride height I use it, trailer or not.

What throws me off is they never mentioned anything about trailer towing with weight, distribution bars, and what to do with the air suspension. At least that I can find.

While there are some nuances to the initial setup of a WDH with an auto-leveling suspension the rest of the time a WDH is used the same as a standard spring suspension. The airbags and WDH do different things.

 

[jenninr]

My general practice is that if I have sufficient payload to engage alternate ride height I use it, trailer or not.

This is what I do too. The one difference in my truck, and it may be a change for 2024 is it will always say alternate ride height achieved when I select it even if there is nothing in the truck and it doesn't drop at all. The good thing about this is I can select it before I hook a trailer on and when it adjusts the height it automatically goes straight to the alt height.

 

[AH64ID]

This is what I do too. The one difference in my truck, and it may be a change for 2024 is it will always say alternate ride height achieved when I select it even if there is nothing in the truck and it doesn't drop at all. The good thing about this is I can select it before I hook a trailer on and when it adjusts the height it automatically goes straight to the alt height.

That’s a change from my 2022, which also operates slightly different from my 2018.

 

[JasonGaley]

Let me measure my gap tonight, but I think you want it less than an inch so that when the truck lowers an inch in alternate ride height a fair amount of weight is on the overloads before the airbags start supporting it again. My 2018 took about 500lbs in the bed to engage alt and my 2022 takes closer to 750lbs.



The FAWR is the same but the RAWR is 2,750 lbs more, even thou the GVWR is only 2,200lbs more than a CCSB and 1,700lbs more than a CCLB.

Even on the SRW FAWR+RAWR > GVWR.

I got my camper off today and my unloaded bump stop gap is definitely more than 5/8”. I’ve got an inch for sure, maybe a smidge more even. Alt height definitely set the bumps stops onto the overloads but I wouldn’t say I’m level in Alt height, my ass is actually a little low compared to the front tire/fender gap. I don’t know how much weight my 2017 requires to activate alt height but I know it won’t activate without any weight. I’d say it’s probably around 500 lbs because 40 gal of water (400 lbs) in a tank behind the cab won’t activate it. I think for now I’m happy with the way it hauls the unit other than the sway. I am going to be putting a trailer on as well with some pretty good hitch weight so I’ll install a super hitch and use a WDH most likely as well to reduce some hitch weight. I like the fact that the suspension and axle can take an extra 2700 lbs like a DRW, I should be able to stay under that RAWR limit at least. I’m on the hunt for an anti sway bar to see if this will improve it more.

 

[AH64ID]

I got my camper off today and my unloaded bump stop gap is definitely more than 5/8”. I’ve got an inch for sure, maybe a smidge more even. Alt height definitely set the bumps stops onto the overloads but I wouldn’t say I’m level in Alt height, my ass is actually a little low compared to the front tire/fender gap. I don’t know how much weight my 2017 requires to activate alt height but I know it won’t activate without any weight. I’d say it’s probably around 500 lbs because 40 gal of water (400 lbs) in a tank behind the cab won’t activate it. I think for now I’m happy with the way it hauls the unit other than the sway. I am going to be putting a trailer on as well with some pretty good hitch weight so I’ll install a super hitch and use a WDH most likely as well to reduce some hitch weight. I like the fact that the suspension and axle can take an extra 2700 lbs like a DRW, I should be able to stay under that RAWR limit at least. I’m on the hunt for an anti sway bar to see if this will improve it more.

I’d you’re rear low and that high off the bump stops empty I’m guessing there is some sort level kit that has been installed.

That much of a gap is likely why you’re getting overloaded messages, the airbags are doing too much of the lifting.

You can loosen the ride height sensor mounts and rotate the sensor for micro adjustments. I would see if you can get the gap to 5/8”-3/4” in normal for your use. That will take a lot of the weight off the bags and place it on the springs, which should get rid of your errors and improve the ride/handling empty and loaded.

 

[JasonGaley]

I’d you’re rear low and that high off the bump stops empty I’m guessing there is some sort level kit that has been installed.

That much of a gap is likely why you’re getting overloaded messages, the airbags are doing too much of the lifting.

You can loosen the ride height sensor mounts and rotate the sensor for micro adjustments. I would see if you can get the gap to 5/8”-3/4” in normal for your use. That will take a lot of the weight off the bags and place it on the springs, which should get rid of your errors and improve the ride/handling empty and loaded.

I’ll take a look aT adjusting. There is definitely a leveling kit. It’s actually a 2” lift. Spring cups in the front, blocks in the back and the airbags have blocks as well. They’re all the same height so everything should be equal I think. But maybe some adjustments are required.

 

[AH64ID]

I’ll take a look aT adjusting. There is definitely a leveling kit. It’s actually a 2” lift. Spring cups in the front, blocks in the back and the airbags have blocks as well. They’re all the same height so everything should be equal I think. But maybe some adjustments are required.

Based on what you’ve said I’m willing to bet it’s 2” front and 1” rear, which will leave your tail low in alt.

Unfortunatly if that’s true you will be even more tail low after adjusting the links but handle better.

If it were my truck I’d pull all the aftermarket level stuff for use with a truck camper. Get that CG as low as you can.

 

[JasonGaley]

Based on what you’ve said I’m willing to bet it’s 2” front and 1” rear, which will leave your tail low in alt.

Unfortunatly if that’s true you will be even more tail low after adjusting the links but handle better.

If it were my truck I’d pull all the aftermarket level stuff for use with a truck camper. Get that CG as low as you can.

You got me curious so I just went and took real measurements. The front leveling is a 2” spacer on top of the springs. The rear blocks are only 1.5” tall and the airbag lift is actually 1” hockey pucks between the brackets and the frame. And the front bump stop gap is 1.25” at the front of the leaf. Soooo I can see where the issues might be lol. I have thought about going back to stock height and just run 33” tires again. But I like the look of the lift and bigger tires

 

[Brutal_HO]

"Well, there's your problem."

 

[JasonGaley]

"Well, there's your problem."

Yup could be a problem but It sits nice and level with or without a load and for 50000 miles it carried a load that almost maxed its GVWR right to pin but just stayed legal with two guys in it. And it was never run in alt height and did fine. But now I’m over the GVWR so will have to do some changes to carry this load.

 

[AH64ID]

Yup could be a problem but It sits nice and level with or without a load and for 50000 miles it carried a load that almost maxed its GVWR right to pin but just stayed legal with two guys in it. And it was never run in alt height and did fine. But now I’m over the GVWR so will have to do some changes to carry this load.

Defiantly the problem.

Being over GVWR isn't a big deal in most states, what matters is FAWR and RAWR. The suspension is more than capable of RAWR+, when it hasn't been modified improperly.

You need to lower the rear to less than 1" of gap and you will fix all your weight carrying problems.

Any pics of the rear setup?

You don't need a lift to run 35's. A lift is not your friend with a high CG load.

 

[JasonGaley]

Defiantly the problem.

Being over GVWR isn't a big deal in most states, what matters is FAWR and RAWR. The suspension is more than capable of RAWR+, when it hasn't been modified improperly.

You need to lower the rear to less than 1" of gap and you will fix all your weight carrying problems.

Any pics of the rear setup?

You don't need a lift to run 35's. A lift is not your friend with a high CG load.

Even with this setup it actually still sits a bit ass high empty. If I put a 2” block in the rear and above the airbags it would sit way higher and have a serious rake again. This is probably why the place that did the lift for me only used 1.5” rear blocks. I know the airbag lift was at the time the first time they dealt with that system in a lift.

 

[JasonGaley]

Not sure why the pics didn’t attach the first time.

 

[Brutal_HO]

I agree with @AH64ID.

Get rid of the



lift and you'll get back to stock where the bags won't be carrying MORE weight than they should.

Put some Bilstein 5100 shocks on there and you'll have a better driving more stable and capable rig.

 

[GeraldRain]

My understanding that all overloads on the factory airbags are recorded and can be brought up if there is warranty,or crash issues. Can anyone confirm this ?