Is self leveling suspension needed?

[OutlawPilot]

I have a deal on the table for a Ram 3500 longhorn dually to tow my Montana High Country. 381TH. It’s supposed to be able to tow up to 31,000 lbs but doesn’t have the auto leveling rear air suspension.

Is that a deal breaker?

[rohrmann]

Just one less thing to break down. That should be plenty of truck to handle the pin weight without needing to worry about the little bit of sag you might have.

[OutlawPilot]

Is that just air bags and a compressor?

[topjustice]

I had Firestone airbags and compressor installed for less than 1K. In addition to leveling, it also cushions the pin on bad highways.

[OutlawPilot]

I’ve had those aftermarket airbags in my last 2 vehicles. If that’s all Dodge’s “self levelling air suspension” is then I don’t think it’s a big deal. iS that all the factory version is?

[mlh]

People have been towing campers for years without self leveling suspension so no it isn’t necessary. Nice for sure needed not so much.
Lynwood

[dfb]

My 3500 has the auto level... works great! Took 2 YEARS TO LOCATE A LONGHORN, 900 ft lb. 385 horse with AISIN, factory prep, fifth wheel prep ,auto level dually! Dave Smith does not order a tow monster truck.. But they did have 5 Cummins shortbeds jacked up 10 feet in yhe air... WHY.? But Not one to tow a heavy trailer..non in Nevada, nor California, Oregon, ..... yes. The Cummins can tow over 30,000 lbs... But try to find one.....

[OutlawPilot]

I just added AirLift Loadlifter 5000s and the wireless air system to my 3500. I originally wanted the OEM system but my truck didn't have it and the deal was too good to pass up. I thought I was missing something but the pressure in wireless system can be set by the user and the system maintains that pressure automatically. I've enjoyed that in the past with previous vehicles so it's nice to have it once again.

[1retired06]

Installed Firestone air bags in our last two trucks and was glad to have them.

[K0LCB]

I added Timbrens to my Ram

[RoadRunnerTR21]

Originally Posted by dfb

My 3500 has the auto level... works great! Took 2 YEARS TO LOCATE A LONGHORN, 900 ft lb. 385 horse with AISIN, factory prep, fifth wheel prep ,auto level dually! Dave Smith does not order a tow monster truck.. But they did have 5 Cummins shortbeds jacked up 10 feet in yhe air... WHY.? But Not one to tow a heavy trailer..non in Nevada, nor California, Oregon, ..... yes. The Cummins can tow over 30,000 lbs... But try to find one.....

We have a bunch down here in Texas. Maybe that's why you can't find them. I had several trucks to select from in Athens, TX when I got my 2018 Laramie Longhorn CC LB dually with a Aisin. There is another dealer in Vernon, TX that has a bunch of trucks as well but most of them are Mega cab SB.

[RV6A]

Originally Posted by OutlawPilot

I have a deal on the table for a Ram 3500 longhorn dually to tow my Montana High Country. 381TH. It’s supposed to be able to tow up to 31,000 lbs but doesn’t have the auto leveling rear air suspension.

Is that a deal breaker?

Probably not. The auto level suspension sits level unloaded, whereas the normal suspension sits about 4-5" taller in the rear when unloaded.

[Beau2010]

Our 3500 Laramie came w/ auto suspension and its great. it actually has to lower the truck to level out when the 5ver is attached. Won't work unless sufficient weight is on the hitch. Don't know what that figure is but it won't work w/ my flatbed unless I have a pretty good load on it.

[Texan]

I have 3480 pounds of pin weight not counting the 240 pounds my airbag hitch weighs and my truck sags about 2 inches. I have firestone airbags to level things out. I certainly wouldn't let auto level suspension be a deal breaker.

[dfb]

That truck you're looking at is hard to find on the west coast.. tell them to add airbags..

[OutlawPilot]

I think it's hard to find in most places. I casually checked Auto Trader for a year before snagging this deal. I've added AirLift bags and their wireless air compressor system.

[mtlakejim]

As is often the case I strongly suspect that the factory version of an option will add 3 to 4 times the cost as the aftermarket.


I am thinking about adding them to my Ram 3500. Sounds like we will have more or less the exact same rigs Outlaw.

[OutlawPilot]

Not sure it's quite 3-4x but it's arguably more indeed if it's apples-to-apples. The parts cost of my LoadLifter 5000's and wireless air came to about US$720. Should be about $1000 installed. The factory self-levelling air is CAD$1595 (about US$1295), so it's close-ish.

Not quite apple-to-apples though. Self-levelling is automatic but offers very little user control. Wireless air allows the user to select the specific pressure between 5 and 100 PSI and automatically maintains it.

I prefer the latter but like appeal of a factory-installed and systems-integrated setup and the reported smoother unloaded ride due to the exclusion of one leaf. I've been seeing pireps pretty much split down the middle with users of each swearing by theirs.

[dfb]

if your truck sags, then install air bags.. I dont' think it would with the High Country using Helium Technology ....

[CaptnJohn]

Certainly should NOT be a deal breaker. Just one more thing to go wrong and probably not as good as the aftermarket equivalent.