Change coil spring or add airlift on ram 1500

[Duluth Diesel]

This is the right answer. Airbags are a bandaid.

Agreed.
My answer to the OP would be first get a load leveling hitch. Get that weight properly distributed. You can’t beat this.
Secondly, add air bags or Timbrens. I’ve had Timbrens and they worked well. The disadvantage of Timbrens is you can’t adjust them. The advantage is you don’t have to adjust them and they don’t develop issues like air line leaks, which can happen if you ever encounter road salt in your area during winter months.

I wouldn’t go changing out your coils since you tow infrequently. You’ll hate the ride when empty. Do some research on load leveling hitches (I have an E2 hitch), air bags, and Timbrens.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

I have a truck like yours and pull a 5500 lbs camper. I put the HD Air Lift bags on mine and they help somewhat with squat but the biggest thing you need to do is get a weight distributing hitch and learn how to set it up correctly. When I don't use the weight dist bars just to move the trailer in and out of the shop the truck squats 4-5 inches. When I use the WD hitch, it might sit 1/2 and inch lower and it totally changes how the trailer tows. I came from a 3500 Ram diesel and never really bothered to learn how to set up a weight dist hitch because on the that truck it barely made it squat but on a 1500 it makes a world of difference.

 

[Tony Stark]

I had a 2017 1500, 5.7, 3.92s and 8 speed. 7K travel trailer. I used a WDH with double sway controllers and Timbrens. All worked well together, sat level, good ride empty or towing. I didn’t like the feel in strong cross wind so I traded for 2019 2500 with 6.4 and 4.10s. MUCH better for towing but I miss the ride and mileage.

 

[OLEJOE]

The air bags or springs alone won’t transfer any of the tongue weight forward to the steering. It may sit level but it will still be taking weight off of the steer axle thus making it feel squirrelly. That’s where the WDH comes in. Hook up to the trailer and measure how much the front raises. That’s where the problem is. For just hauling loads in the bed, you’ll have to have some kind of helpers on the back.

 

[Polecat]

I have the airlift 5000 bags (a few years now) and they have improved them greatly. The ones I bought the hardware would rust and I had a bag blowout. The good thing is they have great customer service and replaced the bag for free.

 

[rickjkline]

disagree, each application has a purpose. I know of many that use them for campers, boats and lighter loads.
Now a weight distribution hitch is a great idea as well.

I disagree that they are band aids also, I had a proper weight distribution hitch and the air bags gave me more control also. Not saying use them instead of a hitch system but in conjunction with the WD hitch.

 

[rickjkline]

Funny thing is I don’t see anywhere that the OP said he didn’t have a WD hitch.

 

[Jeffsgilde]

Hello,

I have a ram 1500 2017. I bought a 6500lbs travel trailer. I don't want too much sag on the back of my truck. I wonder if I would be better to change my coils springs for more HD (tufftruck 1223v) because I will only tow a few times a year, or if I install a kit like the airlift loadlifter 5000 that I will inflate when I need it. What do you think is the best option?

I have used Timbrens and they are horrible!! They sit on the axle and bounce you and the passengers like an eggbeater. Airbags are a bandaid and not a good idea. I purchased and now use XHD coils in the rear and they are terrific!! I tow a 7000# travel trailer. Nice and level now and rides perfect with no squat. I use a WDH hitch Blue Ox.

 

[Rodney Belair]

Hello,

I have a ram 1500 2017. I bought a 6500lbs travel trailer. I don't want too much sag on the back of my truck. I wonder if I would be better to change my coils springs for more HD (tufftruck 1223v) because I will only tow a few times a year, or if I install a kit like the airlift loadlifter 5000 that I will inflate when I need it. What do you think is the best option?

I have a 17 half ton that I pull a 33 foot camper with. I put air bags in the springs. works fine.

 

[Scott Nugent]

I have used Timbrens on my old Tundra and they were great. Never experienced the egg beater syndrome.

I have used Timbrens and they are horrible!! They sit on the axle and bounce you and the passengers like an eggbeater. Airbags are a bandaid and not a good idea. I purchased and now use XHD coils in the rear and they are terrific!! I tow a 7000# travel trailer. Nice and level now and rides perfect with no squat. I use a WDH hitch Blue Ox.

Ni

 

[69GWC]

I think we all agree that the OP should have a WDH.
But a good set of air bags are not a band aid, I would say a good set of heavy duty rear springs might be a good idea as well

 

[69GWC]

My HD Tufftruck 1211s do not jar your fillings loose, thats as crazy as saying airbags are a band aid..lol

 

[jawzs2]

Neither do my 1223v's, in fact with the bilsteins on all four corners and the springs in the back, it actually rides better than stock

 

[rickjkline]

Correct me if I am wrong but I have not seen the OP even respond back to this thread.....

Everyone has their opinion, I have not used the heavy springs just the airbags so I will not comment on how they ride. I did take my air ride bags off now since we sold the camper just because they were not needed and I like my soft ride.

 

[No Tyme]

Airlift makes a bag that goes into the coil spring to help stiffen the spring. I use that in combination with a WD hitch to get a very nice ride and level set up out of my 2015 1500 when pulling a travel trailer that’s almost 9500#s.


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I noticed that AirLift bags can be inflated to 50 PSI compared to 35 max on Firestone BAGS. I just may go this route. How much have you inflated your up to?

 

[mtofell]

compared to 35 max on Firestone BAGS.

My Firestones are outside the coil and go to 90psi. The most I ever need to run them at is around 50 - this is with an HD truck and 11,000# 5th wheel. Not sure if the different bags can be compared directly but 50 is quite a bit of support. I agree with your thought of going with the higher psi capacity ones.

 

[sequoia464]

Just in case the OP is still watching the thread, I also have the Tuff Truck 1211 springs on my truck, pull a trailer with similar weights.

To each his own, but I have had air bags, and now I have these springs. I greatly prefer the springs. And no, they do not create a harsh, stiff ride.

Go with whatever you decide works best for you personally, but seriously research the springs. Lots of threads here that will help you decide one way or the other - springs or air bags.

And yes, a decent weight distribution hitch, INHO, is a necessity.

 

[jester139]

I had Timber Grove air bags on my 1500 with a Wireless One compressor and they were great. Trailers, bags of crushed stone, etc. Highly recommended and Steve at Timber Grove made me a custom set of brackets due to the pinion angle of the "Mopar" really superlift kit the dealer installed.

I'm about to install the same on my PowerWagon.

 

[ultivssl]

Yeah I had the airlift 1000lbs bags that go inside the springs and they worked amazing. I don't pull too heavy of a trailer (3k gvw) but I use them when I'm hauling anything in the bed of the truck.

The caveat is these don't like cold weather. I installed mine last spring and this past winter they cracked from the cold (got down to -50c) and I kept them at 10psi when not hauling anything.

I'm now looking at a different set of bags for the truck, just to keep the thing level.

 

[chrisbh17]

Yeah I had the airlift 1000lbs bags that go inside the springs and they worked amazing. I don't pull too heavy of a trailer (3k gvw) but I use them when I'm hauling anything in the bed of the truck.

The caveat is these don't like cold weather. I installed mine last spring and this past winter they cracked from the cold (got down to -50c) and I kept them at 10psi when not hauling anything.

I'm now looking at a different set of bags for the truck, just to keep the thing level.

That is my worry with the cheaper bags like that. Springs dont really care what the temperature is