Is Air Suspension really that great?

[jmcdtucson]

There's something else I don't see mentioned: you can get great mileage on the highway in Aero mode then turn off on a rough road to go hunting or camping and lift it 2 inches for great off road clearance. I love it so far. I may change my tune if/when it breaks.

 

[RAMTrkGN]

I tried both types of suspension. Much smoother ride with air. Also , I liked the option to lower the truck for getting in and out. So, my Longhorn Limited has an air suspension.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Timeless]

Having driven Rams with and without the air suspension, I would say that the tire size affects (my) ride comfort more than presence of the air suspension does. Drive both and compare for yourself to be sure. 22" wheels with air suspension rides harsher than 20" wheels without air suspension. Don't get 22" wheels, regardless of suspension, if your back is sensitive to a harsher/firmer ride.

For me, the greatest benefit of the air ride is the ability to easily adjust the ride height for loading/maintenance. There are also auto-leveling benefits for towing/hauling. Personally, I would have opted out of the air suspension if it wasn't included in the Limited trim level.

I disagree, my Limited with 22's rides as well or better than the regular suspension on 20's. The air ride on the Ram makes up for the lack of sidewall

No thanks. I'm old enough to remember Lincolns with leaking air suspensions. They still sell the kits to replace the bags with coil springs!

In agreement on the air suspension being fantastic and have no issues with my back at all with 22".

I also am a bit leery of replacement air bags out of warranty. One of the reasons this is a lease. If buying I'd for sure have an extended warranty as I have been told replacement bags are over $1K to replace.

 

[c3k]

....guess who has been having buyer's remorse about NOT including air suspension???

 

[Neurobit]

....guess who has been having buyer's remorse about NOT including air suspension???

 

[grimreefer]

....guess who has been having buyer's remorse about NOT including air suspension???

....guess who has been having buyer's remorse about NOT including the MFT.

 

[mikeru82]

Air suspension is great when it's working. So far so good for our Limited. But I honestly can't tell the difference in ride comfort between that and our Laramie with coils. Both have 20 inch wheels. The wife drives the Limited, and she likes the air suspension mainly for getting in and out of the truck. Combine that with the power running boards and you almost fall into the seat LOL. There haven't been many issues I've read about with the air suspension on 5th gens, but it may be too early to tell. One thing I do know is coils are more reliable over the long term. Historically, air suspension systems always have problems eventually. So if you're planning to keep your truck "till the wheels fall off" you might consider getting coils.

 

[IvoryHemi]

I agree to expect air suspension problems at some point. That’s why I went 8yr/100k MaxCare.

Hopefully by the time my 1500’s coverage ends, Ram will have redesigned the 2500 crew cabs so I can trade up

 

[J-Cooz]

The 4th gen system definitely had issues in cold weather. I've had my truck in -25°C and no issues so far.

 

[bigmountain]

I just purchased a used 2019 Limited with the air suspension. I had to replace my 2019 Big Horn that was totaled when some a**hole decided that flipping off another driver was more important than paying attention to traffic. He ran into the back of me while I was sitting at a red light. My Big Horn had air bags in back to help with pulling my 32’ trailer. It did great. I am hoping that the Limited with air will perform as good or better than the airlift bags I installed in the Big Horn. Any feedback?

 

[Trooper4]

I just purchased a used 2019 Limited with the air suspension. I had to replace my 2019 Big Horn that was totaled when some a**hole decided that flipping off another driver was more important than paying attention to traffic. He ran into the back of me while I was sitting at a red light. My Big Horn had air bags in back to help with pulling my 32’ trailer. It did great. I am hoping that the Limited with air will perform as good or better than the airlift bags I installed in the Big Horn. Any feedback?

It should. My bags work just fine when I tow. The air suspension has a 2000 lb. +/- safety shut off to protect the system, and will level up tp that point.

 

[SpeedyV]

I just purchased a used 2019 Limited with the air suspension. I had to replace my 2019 Big Horn that was totaled when some a**hole decided that flipping off another driver was more important than paying attention to traffic. He ran into the back of me while I was sitting at a red light. My Big Horn had air bags in back to help with pulling my 32’ trailer. It did great. I am hoping that the Limited with air will perform as good or better than the airlift bags I installed in the Big Horn. Any feedback?

You may find that a stiffer sway bar (Hellwig) helps with lateral movement. Mine has towed fine, but I’ve not towed heavy.

 

[BigFootGreg]

I am getting ready to take a road trip with 5 other couple and I will be pulling my double axle trailer with my Can-Am UTV on it they both weigh about 2,500 lbs. each for a total of 5,000 lbs. we will see how things go. My trailer is very tongue heavy maybe 400 lbs. so we will what happens, my equipment is at my sons house and I am going to go over and hook it all up and see how the truck handles it. I typically have several items in my UTV that are past the back axles so that will also take some weight off the ball... I will keep you posted.

Regards,
Greg

 

[DEG]

I typically have several items in my UTV that are past the back axles so that will also take some weight off the ball... I will keep you posted.

Don't move weight behind the axle just to reduce tongue weight or the results can be disastrous. You should load a trailer with a little more weight in front of the axle than behind it.

 

[Pikeman_66]

1st time Ram buyer for me and I went and drove both on a 2024 ram. the standard suspension with 20s it was nice, better riding than my chev was on 20s and it road well for leaf springs. but the Air suspension is next level, when I drove that I was taken back at how well it was soft but firm at the same time and on 22s no less. guess who ordered a model with Air suspension and 20s ? lol

 

[RebelMX307K]

I have a 2020 Ram Rebel and the air suspension has been perfect struggling to get a 2500 because it’s only for trailering and just on the rear. Makes sense due to the increased payload.

 

[boogielander]

depends.

if you're primary on highway pavement, then air is fine.
if you're primary on dirt, then go with non-air.
if you do a lot of twisties, non-air is the way.

if you're like me and want good ride both on and off pavement, go non-air, then allocate about $8k in budget. You can go 70mph across bumpy desert (covered Mojave Road in 2 days with sightseeing, when most people take 3 or more days), do slightly above speed limit on pothole and bumpy frost-heave filled Dempster/ Dalton/ Alcan while everyone else struggles at 30MPH, catch air occasionally, then still get a plush comfortable drive on pavement.

 

[dajogejr]

Older thread, my input..
I had my 2015 LImited in the dealership 4 times for the air ride. Always seemed to crap out on me in the cold weather.
However, when it worked, the ride was outstanding.

29K on my 2+ year old Limited, zero air ride issues. Rides amazing with 22” rims.

My truck is my luxury vehicle. I want the creature comforts, the tech, the ride…
My luxury vehicle just happens to have a bed I can throw things in, and ramboxes to store my junk..
It may see some country dirt roads, and a two track once in a while…but any kind of serious off roading, not what I bought this particular truck for. I do like twisty roads, but I don’t need to do 100MPH on them. At aggressive highway speeds, traffic, etc., it does just fine. I’ve ridden in friends Platinums and Denalis. I’d take the ride of my 23 Limited over theirs any day of the week for day to day driving.

 

[CSPCRX]

I love mine and like how it helps prevent rear sag when towing. It saved me in a way I never thought it would. Really enjoy the ride as well.

We had a really bad storm and it shoved my trailer off the stand and my trailer tongue was basically on the ground. I backed up to my trailer, dropped the truck to its lowest position, wrapped the chains around the ball hitch. Jumped back in and raised the truck all the way up and was able to get it back on the stand.

 

[StuartsFriend]

covered Mojave Road in 2 days with sightseeing

Off topic. That phrase just cost me a lot of $. I have concluded that I must be back to the desert with a RAM at some point.