Air ride suspension... or not???

[NHREBEL2]

I'm in New Hampshire where it gets pretty **** cold in winter. I'd rather not have a truck that rides rough because it's cold out. Especially with that price tag!

I'm in NH as well. Don't make your decision based on possible system failure alone. My '16 Rebel w/Air had only one incident in 3 years and my '19 Rebel w/Air worked all winter flawlessly.
Get the suspension that drives the best in your opinion. I will say the AS isn't at its best on our bumpy frost heaved roads but not horrible. Coils are probably more suited for crappy roads in the cold. Drive them both.

 

[SacRebel]

I wasn’t looking for air suspension when I purchased my Rebel, it just came on the one I liked. I will say the ride is exceptional for an off-road truck. The air suspension is also very nice when it comes to loading the bed, washing the truck, channing the oil, etc. So I’m glad I got it.

 

[JJSJ]

This is off subject, but has anyone had any major issues with the truck? Anything so bad that made you regret buying it?

 

[SpeedyV]

I wasn’t looking for air suspension when I purchased my Rebel, it just came on the one I liked. I will say the ride is exceptional for an off-road truck. The air suspension is also very nice when it comes to loading the bed, washing the truck, channing the oil, etc. So I’m glad I got it.

This! Both suspension systems are executed well, but the air suspension adds convenience for loading people and cargo, hitching to a trailer, auto-leveling when loaded, providing additional clearance for off-roading and access, etc.

 

[JJSJ]

I suppose the non air could feel a little softer in some conditions such as fewer bumps that are lesser sized. I do think that if your roads are anywhere near as bad as they are here in Michigan you would be better off with the air. Multiple road patches and pot holes are handled pretty well by the air ride. The truck just feels more compliant and solid with the air ride. I drove both and compared both to the Ford. I bought the Limited because of the air ride. It was quieter and generally more predictable and smoother in most road conditions I was driving on at that time. Tires and air pressure are very impactful on this assessment, but the ride quality of the air suspension was better for me. What is interesting is that ten drivers would likely have ten different opinions after driving both. Go with what you experience as being better. Maybe like buying stereo speakers. It is subjective.

Very true. I'll have to test drive both of them again just to see what I would prefer.

 

[RonH]

Very true. I'll have to test drive both of them again just to see what I would prefer.

Definitely check the air pressure in the tires. When I took delivery of my Limited, the dealer prep tech had set the tires to 44 psi, which is 8 psi more than what is recommended on the sticker.

 

[securityguy]

@RonH ...same here my friend...was running between 44-46 on my tires and bumped them all down to 36.

 

[RAM309702]

I drove them all and went with 22" wheels and limited (which has air suspension) -- LOVE IT, rides SO SMOOTH. I think it is worth it too I can lift it up 2" in parking lots or driving around town in slow traffic. 100% no complaints at all with the 22" wheels and limited... so smooth, even with the entire truck packed with people and the bed full of luggage, it just glides and eats up any bumps.

 

[SacRebel]

The post above touched on another advantage..parking lots. When I park I raise it to the highest level and with the side steps it should reduce door dings.

 

[Ilya23]

I bought Laramie with air suspension and 20' rims. I feel like ride is too bouncy. Also looks like car's rear wheels are just jumps off the ground and car is shaking. I also read ppl put some weight in their truck bed to reduce bouncing. Any thoughts to it?

 

[securityguy]

I bought Laramie with air suspension and 20' rims. I feel like ride is too bouncy. Also looks like car's rear wheels are just jumps off the ground and car is shaking. I also read ppl put some weight in their truck bed to reduce bouncing. Any thoughts to it?

On my second RAM with the AIR and have not experienced at all what you are talking about.

 

[BowDown]

I bought Laramie with air suspension and 20' rims. I feel like ride is too bouncy. Also looks like car's rear wheels are just jumps off the ground and car is shaking. I also read ppl put some weight in their truck bed to reduce bouncing. Any thoughts to it?

I haven't experienced that with my air ride unless I install my lowering links that were set too low. Do you have stock links or adjustable links?

 

[IvoryHemi]

I bought Laramie with air suspension and 20' rims. I feel like ride is too bouncy. Also looks like car's rear wheels are just jumps off the ground and car is shaking. I also read ppl put some weight in their truck bed to reduce bouncing. Any thoughts to it?

what psi are your tires set to?

 

[Ilya23]

I haven't experienced that with my air ride unless I install my lowering links that were set too low. Do you have stock links or adjustable links?

I did not install anything on that to be honest. It's my first truck and I can not compare to anything- I was driving sedans before. I see that kind of bouncing of the bed on bumpy road, on smoth it drives awsome. I was moving some weight other day in bed and definitely it smother ride. I just feel like rear part of the truck is too light so that's why it bouncing with no weight on it. I have this truck just for 3 month and I still can not get it in my head that this is normal thing for over 60k car

 

[SpeedyV]

I bought Laramie with air suspension and 20' rims. I feel like ride is too bouncy. Also looks like car's rear wheels are just jumps off the ground and car is shaking. I also read ppl put some weight in their truck bed to reduce bouncing. Any thoughts to it?

Unless you were somehow cruising in Entry/Exit mode (i.e. on the rear bump stops), this behavior is the opposite of what you should expect with the air suspension. It sounds much more like coil/spring action (which makes no sense if you have air).

 

[MarvsAMartian]

Whenever I talk to anyone who's debating Air Ride I always ask them two questions: The type of driving they'll be doing 70%+ of the time. And where do you live?

If you're going to want a lift and take the truck off road a lot then maybe skip the air. But if its mostly highway I recommend it. Where you live matters more than people give thought to. Parts of Canada gets really cold and air suspension failures happen A LOT. There's literally companies dedicated to just removing air ride. The cold weather messes with more than just suspension. Ask any Canadian with the auto running boards.

Those taken into account is why I settled on no air ride for mine but food for thought if you're considering it. Hope that helps.

 

[go-ram]

I did not install anything on that to be honest. It's my first truck and I can not compare to anything- I was driving sedans before. I see that kind of bouncing of the bed on bumpy road, on smoth it drives awsome. I was moving some weight other day in bed and definitely it smother ride. I just feel like rear part of the truck is too light so that's why it bouncing with no weight on it. I have this truck just for 3 month and I still can not get it in my head that this is normal thing for over 60k car

What you are describing is entirely normal for pickup trucks - they all ride better with weight in the bed. They were designed to carry loads and tow heavy trailers, so the rear suspensions HAVE to be stiffer than a sedan's.

That said, you should check your tire pressures. If you're not carrying a load at the moment, you don't need the rear tires inflated too high. Many people keep their rear tires at the lower end of the recommended inflation range, then increase air pressure in the rear tires only while they are carrying cargo or towing.

Go drive an older truck with leaf-spring rear suspension, and no load in the bed, then get back in your new Ram. You will realize how comfortably the late-model Rams ride compared to most pickup trucks. Regardless, don't ever compare a sedan to a pickup, that's apples to oranges, not an appropriate or valid comparison.

 

[SpeedyV]

Whenever I talk to anyone who's debating Air Ride I always ask them two questions: The type of driving they'll be doing 70%+ of the time. And where do you live?

If you're going to want a lift and take the truck off road a lot then maybe skip the air. But if its mostly highway I recommend it. Where you live matters more than people give thought to. Parts of Canada gets really cold and air suspension failures happen A LOT. There's literally companies dedicated to just removing air ride. The cold weather messes with more than just suspension. Ask any Canadian with the auto running boards.

Those taken into account is why I settled on no air ride for mine but food for thought if you're considering it. Hope that helps.

We’ve seen few, if any, air ride failures due to temps on the 5th-gens. I know it’s only been three years, but they have a good record with the redesign so far.

 

[Ram Man 727]

Whenever I talk to anyone who's debating Air Ride I always ask them two questions: The type of driving they'll be doing 70%+ of the time. And where do you live?

If you're going to want a lift and take the truck off road a lot then maybe skip the air. But if its mostly highway I recommend it. Where you live matters more than people give thought to. Parts of Canada gets really cold and air suspension failures happen A LOT. There's literally companies dedicated to just removing air ride. The cold weather messes with more than just suspension. Ask any Canadian with the auto running boards.

Those taken into account is why I settled on no air ride for mine but food for thought if you're considering it. Hope that helps.

I live in Ontario and have the air suspension in my 2020 Rebel. Absolutely NO problems and we have some very cold weather this winter. A buddy has a 2020 Sport with air suspension and power running boards.. Absolutely NO problems with either.
Like any option on any vehicle, some people have issues but that doesn't mean it's a bad option. Far more people don't have any issues that those who do.
I Absolutely love the air ride and would definitely buy again

 

[IvoryHemi]

Air suspension was a must for me.

Yes I’m concerned about longevity/reliability which is why I bought a 8yr/ 100k MaxCare policy