TLC Air Springs for Ram 1500 ??

[DougP47]

I was thinking about adding this air ride system from TLC for my Ram 1500 4x4 just to help the truck from squatting. other tham that it pulls great.


http://www.totalloadcontrolsuspensions.com/TLCforNewDodgeRam1500CSRE-1500-1-2.aspx

[jeeplj8]

for that price it seems they should throw in a controller or at least dash guage to knwo what pressure you are at.

I tend to think of airbags as a bandage over what is really wrong. But if you truly are just trying to get rid of some squat, they would do the trick.

[MtnGuy]

What WDH are you using, along with the spring bar size ??

Have you run your truck and trailer across some scales to make sure you have your WDH setup correctly ??

[DougP47]

jeeplj8.. I know it might be on the high side but , I also get a 9" spring and can get the air compressor controls for under $600.00. I might just have to give this some more thought. That's one of the reasons I posted the question. thanks for you input

mtnguy .. I have an equalizer hitch with 10000 bars. I have 5 washers on the ball and I’m at 3 holes from the bottom. I think the problem the coil springs on the truck are designed for a smoother ride than heavier loads. the TLC will get me a 9" spring and 5/8 dia. the ones that are on there now have a 6" spring and are only 1/2" dia. also I will have the air bag system if needed. The truck sets about 1" low in the rear if I set it up per equalizer destructions. As far as scale not yet but the trailer sets level at this adjustment. I have tried the set up from the dealer and change that the day after I brought it home. I might just have to take it to the scales when the weather breaks before doing anything. thanks for the info.
Doug

[Fire Instructor]

I did Timbren's on my Ram. Much easier to do, much less expensive. No hardware to worry about....

Very happy with the Timbren's.

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Fire Instructor

I did Timbren's on my Ram. Much easier to do, much less expensive. No hardware to worry about....

Very happy with the Timbren's.

How would you compare your Timbrens with, say, Firestone Ride Right air suspension?

[Fire Instructor]

Can't fairly compare, as I've never had the airbags. The Timbren's are essentially a very tall, cushion-style spring-stop. With the Timbren's, when the truck "squats", there is a cushion that compresses between the spring and the frame, rather than just flattening the spring until it hits a hard spring-stop.

We don't full-time, and we pull the trailer on 5 or 6 trips per season, so it's just fin for us. I'm sure if we pulled more often, I'd do it with a 2500 or a 3500 and forego both Timbren's or airbags!

[jeeplj8]

I must not have read the link correctly, they include new rear coil springs? Well then that price does not sound bad.

But if you are only getting 1 inch of squat, that sounds perfect, I would not need with anything.

[RV Man]

Hi Guys
New to this site I also have a 2012 Ram 1500 crew cab with air bag system works very well I pull a 23' 2003 Vanguard trailer and it sits very good.
I am currently looking at the Rockwood 2703 & the 2907 I bevlieve I feel I would have no problem with them. Any suggestions on those trailers

[fast murray]

Ride Rites here. No problems and took less than an hour to install.

[Roadie66]

You may want to look at Super Springs they worked for me.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by DougP47

mtnguy .. I have an equalizer hitch with 10000 bars.

I presume you mean 1000 lb. bars. They may not be enough for that trailer.....the website lists a 980 lb. empty tongue weight.

Another concern with that kind of tongue weight.....make sure your reciever hitch is rated for more than the actual tongue weight. A trip to the scales will reveal that, or do the bathroom scale weigh-in. Determining Trailer Tongue Weight | etrailer.com

Originally Posted by DougP47

I think the problem the coil springs on the truck are designed for a smoother ride than heavier loads.

.

Yes, that is a problem with coil springs.

Originally Posted by DougP47

The truck sets about 1" low in the rear if I set it up per equalizer destructions. As far as scale not yet but the trailer sets level at this adjustment. I have tried the set up from the dealer and change that the day after I brought it home. I might just have to take it to the scales when the weather breaks before doing anything. thanks for the info.

Just because a trailer sets level does not mean the WDH is setup correctly. The trailer tongue height is adjusted by the ball height. Yes, a WDH will bring the trailer tongue up some, but the main adjustment for the trailer to ride level should be the ball height

[DougP47]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

I must not have read the link correctly, they include new rear coil springs? Well then that price does not sound bad.

But if you are only getting 1 inch of squat, that sounds perfect, I would not need with anything.

jeepij8 that would be 1" from front to rear finder.I have the hitch ball height set real close i think. I will try to weight it after the weather breaks. thanks for the input guys

[FarmerJim]

Air Lift 1000's on my 2012 Ram 1500 works great ! $89 with free shipping . 3 hour install by me with lots of breaks . Love them . Jim

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by DougP47

jeepij8 that would be 1" from front to rear finder.I have the hitch ball height set real close i think. I will try to weight it after the weather breaks. thanks for the input guys

When setting up any WDH, you need to get some good measurements before you start, and then always measure at the same place. Most install specs I have seen recommend you measure at the wheel well to find out how much movement you get, both front a rear axle.

Generally, you want the rear wheel well to sit at least 1 inch lower than unhooked, and the front to be about level. That is optimum.

What are your unhooked measurements and hooked up measurements? The only way to truly tell how good your WDH is working is to weigh it on a CAT scale that will give you the front (steer), rear (drive) and trailer axles independently. You may find the results surprising.

I would get all that information before I started investing time and money in supplemental springs or helpers. You may not need them, but more importantly, you may be covering up the real problem.

I know the current generation 1/2 ton trucks (without the max tow, etc packages) and actually sprung softer than older generation 1/2 tons. My 97 1500 Ram did not squat more than inch until trailer tongue weight was around 1200 lbs. but most are designed to give a little quicker now for ride comfort.

[DougP47]

Ok here is the measurements I have with tt and family in truck
Steer axle 3440… drive axle 2680..
With tt hooked up and equ-a-lizer hitch.
Steer axle 3180…drive axle 4000 tt 6600 lbs
Does this look go to you guys? Any help would be appreciated. thanks

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by DougP47

Ok here is the measurements I have with tt and family in truck
Steer axle 3440… drive axle 2680..
With tt hooked up and equ-a-lizer hitch.
Steer axle 3180…drive axle 4000 tt 6600 lbs
Does this look go to you guys? Any help would be appreciated. thanks

For clarification, the first set of weights is for the truck loaded, but no camper and the second set of numbers is with the camper hooked up with equal-i-zer bars in place?

Dave

[DougP47]

Correct but i had a full house in the truck. GF two dogs and cab on truck bed. Only thing missing on camper weight is 2 honda generators.

[Dave_Monica]

Comparing the 2 sets of numbers you've added 1320 lb to the rear axle and reduced 260 lb from the front axle weight...not good. Unfortunately what's missing would be the weight with the camper hooked up but without the hitch bars snapped up...that would indicate weight before any re-distribution.

I don't think that the hitch is transferring near enough weight to the trucks front axle and the camper's axles. You need to try adding another washer or two to the hitchhead to angle it down more and then re-weigh. I'd rather see it set that you're not reducing the truck's front axle weight as much...should be less than 100 lb IMHO.

Dave

[DougP47]

Dave thanks for your input. I did notice the difference in the steer axle. I currently have 3 washers on the hitch. Also as a side note when i weighted the tt hooked up i was not in the truck. I had to get out this time to hit the call button to get my weight.
oops i weight 250 hope that will bring it closer. I will get it weighed again workout the bars hooked up still hooked to the tv correct? I don't think I need to weigh the tv again I will have a full tank again before weight in.