I would imagine the air ride would be your best option. Also, blanket statements like 1500's are designed to ride "x" and 2500's are designed to ride "y" are just plain not true. Both trucks are designed to have as comfortable a ride as possible BOTH when loaded and unloaded, given their respective capabilities.
Also, why not go test drive both trucks and see for yourself which one rides the best?
And hence why I said it is an opinion. My 2500 rides like a dream til I hit bumpy roads
Then if I load it up it rides like a dream on bumpy roads. But that is my opinion. Others would say it rides rough all the time.
And why I said on the other forum were he posed the same question...if you can use the air suspension to lower for hooking a trailer and then for leveling the load get it.
If you can use the other goodies of the off road package, like hill descent get it.
Cause you can not get both.
If you don't save some money and just get regular.
It is always fun, these opinion questions. Cause each person has a different thought, usually answered by the truck they got or the one they want.
You know, like 3.92 or 3.21, or elocker vs anti spin, or 26 gal vs 33 gal or etorque vs no assist, V6 vs V8.
The best advice is what
@riccnick said. Test drive both and decide. Or decide on what you need.