Theoretical MPG question

[Bwarren2]

All things being equal, wouldn't an air ride ram have better MPG than non air ride due to being more aero dynamic when the suspension lowers?

 

[Neocane]

I’m curious as well, good question.

 

[thcmas35]

All things being equal, wouldn't an air ride ram have better MPG than non air ride due to being more aero dynamic when the suspension lowers?

Non air suspension trucks have this feature in lieu of aero mode:

https://www.magna.com/company/newsr...agna-debuts-active-air-dam-on-2019-ram-pickup

 

[Dusty1948]

All things being equal, wouldn't an air ride ram have better MPG than non air ride due to being more aero dynamic when the suspension lowers?

At the 2019 Ram 1500 announcement it was stated that the new drag coefficient of .357 was specific to the Quad Cab, 2wd version with Active Air Dam. It did not state whether that included the Air Ride System which is optional on all models except the HFE.

The Active Air Dam is standard on all models, except Rebel and Limited. I'm guessing, but because the Limited is standard with the Air Ride System, and the Active Air Dam is not available on the Limited, I suspect that the two features are not compatible with each other. One could thus deduce that the lowest drag coefficient was obtained with the Active Air Dam and not the Air Ride System.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 003521 miles.

 

[Edwards]

At the 2019 Ram 1500 announcement it was stated that the new drag coefficient of .357 was specific to the Quad Cab, 2wd version with Active Air Dam. It did not state whether that included the Air Ride System which is optional on all models except the HFE.

The Active Air Dam is standard on all models, except Rebel and Limited. I'm guessing, but because the Limited is standard with the Air Ride System, and the Active Air Dam is not available on the Limited, I suspect that the two features are not compatible with each other. One could thus deduce that the lowest drag coefficient was obtained with the Active Air Dam and not the Air Ride System.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 003521 miles.

Don't disagree but I can't imagine a truck (non-air) with a lower lip, i.e. taller front profile with air dam deployed, could be a lower drag coefficient than a lower truck with a shorter front profile (air suspension in aero mode.) Make sense?

 

[Dusty1948]

Don't disagree but I can't imagine a truck (non-air) with a lower lip, i.e. taller front profile with air dam deployed, could be a lower drag coefficient than a lower truck with a shorter front profile (air suspension in aero mode.) Make sense?

Well, I've heard of stranger things.

I seem to recall that in the Aero Mode the vehicle is one inch lower from standard height. Is that enough to beat a 3 inch air dam? Don't know. Various aerodynamic studies have confounded what was thought to be obvious conclusions before. It's also possible that the stated .357 number only works with the 2x4 Quad Cab and Active Air Dam, but not the same with the Crew cab or 4x4 Quad, where the effects of the Air Ride System has a greater effect.

Regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 003561 miles.

 

[SpeedyV]

Well, I've heard of stranger things.

I seem to recall that in the Aero Mode the vehicle is one inch lower from standard height. Is that enough to beat a 3 inch air dam? Don't know. Various aerodynamic studies have confounded what was thought to be obvious conclusions before. It's also possible that the stated .357 number only works with the 2x4 Quad Cab and Active Air Dam, but not the same with the Crew cab or 4x4 Quad, where the effects of the Air Ride System has a greater effect.

Regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 003561 miles.

The air suspension trucks have an air dam...it’s just fixed instead of having a moveable center section. Lowering the whole truck easily compensates for this; I would guess air trucks actually perform better aerodynamically. The active air dam is an attempt to achieve the same gains for everyone that doesn’t splurge on the air suspension.

 

[craigrh13]

I don’t know but I’m shocked that this new Ram gets quite a bit less real world mileage than my ‘15 5.0 f150. Definitely disappointed with that part and it’s much slower too.