Add heavy duty coil springs to 2500 RAM?

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Rzrbrn

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I hope I can find my way back to this thread to see the responses.

I have 2019 RAM 2500 Diesel 4x4 with a fiberglass camper shell. I also have a 2019 travel trailer, 30' long. I have camping gear in the back of the truck, about 500lbs or so. Weight of the tongue when the trailer is loaded using a Sherline 2000 scale: 1240 lbs. Hitch drop is about +5". Using a Blue Ox Sway Pro WDH. I have not weighed on CAT scales.

First time pulling this year I had severe porpoising. Pulled over and tightened up the bars on the WDH, which basically solved the problem. I then towed the rig about 6K miles from TN to California on I 40. No issues what so ever. Normally drive 60 to 65 on the interstate. However, on this trip pulling the trailer, I hit 86 mph while passing. Frankly I was watching my rear view mirror and did not realize my speed; will not intentionally go that fast.

Prior to this RAM I pulled this trailer with a 2010 Toyota Tundra 4x4 with 5.7L engine. The Tundra did better towing this rig, with less WDH applied. However, I prefer the RAM for the diesel, engine brake and control going down hill.

My thought has always been to get the truck and trailer to be level and pull well without a WDH. Once this is achieved then use a WDH (Blue Ox). I am accepting of a stiffer ride when empty. Does this seem reasonable?

I am wondering if I should have the dealership install heavy duty coil springs and Bilstein or Koni shocks on the front and back. THEN use the WDH to finesse the handling and for safety.

or perhaps just install Timbrens myself. I am not a mechanic or particularly adept at such things.


I had Firestone Air suspension with on board air pump and remote control professionally installed on the Tundra. The remote control was absolutely terrible and was a real pain in the...so I don't really want to install air suspension, but may do so if that is recommended.

I cannot afford to sell the 2500 and buy a 3500, which is what I probably should have bought in the first place.
 

MADDOG

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You need a WDH for other reasons besides sag or sway. It is there to distribute weight off the truck axles to the trailer axles.

My suggestion would be some air bags on the rear to level the truck. Keep it simple. Firestone makes a great kit with no crazy bells and whistles. Just air up to desired PSI within the recommended range. Keep the WDH and add sway control if you don't have it.
 

crash68

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My thought has always been to get the truck and trailer to be level and pull well without a WDH. Once this is achieved then use a WDH (Blue Ox). I am accepting of a stiffer ride when empty. Does this seem reasonable?
Just because it's level doesn't mean it's correct. As mentioned above a WDH hitch is to distribute the tongue weight to both the truck axles. Using airbags or stiffer springs can amplify the leverage effect of a bumper pull.
If you haven't seen the video, this usually surprises people: https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg
 

runamuck

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my son bought a 2020 2500 dsl laramie. he added the heavy duty frame mtd. airbags because he felt his 8500# 5th wheel was too much for the truck. all better now he says. can let air out when not towing. cant adjust the heavy duty springs when not towing.
 

Irishthreeper

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HD springs will add some stability but the 2500 diesel is still limited on payload and GVWR will remain about 10K. Just keep an eye on those things too. Good luck and enjoy the camper life!
 

JayLeonard

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I installed Sumo Springs and it helped reduce porpoising.
 
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Rzrbrn

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Thank you everyone. I will explore air suspension, specifically Air Lift, although I will also take another look at Firestone. The Blue Ox addresses sway as well as being a WDH.

I just viewed the suggested YouTube video. Well...crap. Back to the drawing board. I need to mull over the information revealed in the video. The video is air bags vs WDH. I wonder if I can find such an analysis of air bags AND WDH, or maybe HD springs and WDH or ...I have a headache...
 

crash68

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The video is air bags vs WDH. I wonder if I can find such an analysis of air bags AND WDH, or maybe HD springs and WDH or ...I have a headache...
You can run both, I do and know quite a few others that run them especially on 1500s.
You want to inflate the air bags before setting up the WDH. For the big trailer I pull, I put 15 psi in my TLC air bags which is usually enough firm up the rear end but it doesn't level the truck. The WDH will usually finish leveling the truck off but more importantly restores the lost weight back to the front end. The TLC air bags are about the largest that were available for under these trucks, hence the low pressure required (sadly the company is out of business).
 

dhay13

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no mention of what tire you're running.i had f rated tires on my 2500 for a reason.
I doubt the tires are the issue unless they are severely under-inflated. I have the factory 20" Firestones and towed a 9300lb 32' (37' overall) TT and it towed great. Had an Equalizer WDH. But then again I wasn't overloaded as I was still about 900lbs under my GVWR but I still don't think your GVRW is causing your issues. I would get to a CAT scale loaded as you normally are and see how your weights are. I had 1100lbs tongue weight on with that 9300lb TT (about 12%). My son also had a 2018 2500 6.4 and towed his 8100lb TT all over the country and had about 500lbs of stuff in his bed and his towed fine too. I'm thinking you have something out of whack. How does it tow with the bed empty? If it'd better than maybe it is from being overloaded?
 

Dean2

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I have not towed with my new 2500. It has a beautiful ride on the road and even at speed on gravel or relatively smooth trails. Off road I find the springs too soft. It wallows in real rough trails, Low range 1st or 2nd gear speeds, and has a fair amount of bounce, epseciually in the front end, and I have the gas motor. I also have the off road package and Bilstiens so my bet is the stock one wallows even worse. My 96, with the stiffer front end and leaf rears is MUCH better on really rough trails. I could easily see the truck behaving badly with a lot of weight on it. I am seriously thinking of increasing the spring rates. The Power Wagons are even softer sprung and I really dislike the way they behave a real slow speed on very rough trails. I will take a slightly stiffer street ride for improved behaviour off road.
 

RamRod37

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if you want springs check out Coil spring Specialist they can build off factory part# of your springs and build them how ever you like longer shorter softer or stiffer rear set around 300-400 dollars http://www.coilsprings.com/truck.aspx
 

bcbouy

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I doubt the tires are the issue unless they are severely under-inflated. I have the factory 20" Firestones and towed a 9300lb 32' (37' overall) TT and it towed great. Had an Equalizer WDH. But then again I wasn't overloaded as I was still about 900lbs under my GVWR but I still don't think your GVRW is causing your issues. I would get to a CAT scale loaded as you normally are and see how your weights are. I had 1100lbs tongue weight on with that 9300lb TT (about 12%). My son also had a 2018 2500 6.4 and towed his 8100lb TT all over the country and had about 500lbs of stuff in his bed and his towed fine too. I'm thinking you have something out of whack. How does it tow with the bed empty? If it'd better than maybe it is from being overloaded?
tires may not be the issue but but they make a difference.fact.
 

dhay13

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tires may not be the issue but but they make a difference.fact.
Agreed there. The Firestones aren't the best and load range matters but I'm guessing the OP has the factory Firestones and with a similar trailer I didn't experience and of his issues but then again he had his bed loaded too. Not saying it can't be the tires but I don't think they are the problem.
 

cdhuitt

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I agree with what has been said. WDH is priority number one for many many reasons. I like the unloaded ride of my 2500 Cummins 4x4, but didn't like the way it towed as bumper pull 29' trailer. There was some sag in the rear as well as side to side roll in the rear end. I looked at heavy duty coil springs and tried that in the 1500 Hemi I had before. The benefit was very minimal. What I found to be the best for my current 2500 was the AirRide 5000 air bags. I can adjust the ride and firm things up depending on the load I have. This has been the best solution I have found. Unloaded I can empty out the bags and have the stock ride. Depending on the load I can firm up the rear end. Prevents any sagging and prevents side to side rolling.
 

tron67j

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Adding bags provides zero additional towing or payload capacity. They only mask the problem if you are over the capacity of your truck found on your door jamb. Save your money and future maintenance and correctly set up the WDH.

Assuming you have a Tradesman 2500 4x4 with 6.4 bed your payload capacity is about 2500 pounds (whereas the similar set up Bighorn has only 2000 pound capacity, so important to know exact numbers on your own door, not some number from an online chart). Subtracting the tongue weight plus your gear of 500 pounds and your shell of 200 pounds equals 1740 leaves you 560 pounds of capacity. With a couple people and a pet, you are maxed out.

From your description of the trailering action, you have too much weight behind your rear trailer axle. It is just as important to have weight properly distributed in trailer as it is to be under your max specs.

Best thing is do the math from your door jamb information, then scale measure everything. You also need to know exactly how much weight you put where in the trailer including water and propane. Do you carry stuff on the rear bumper, add that in (including spare tire).
 

OC455

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The WDH setup right is the big thing. Air springs help stabilize. I had my 1500 setup good with the WDH and then had Timber Grove ASAM's to help keep everything stable. I only had 14psi in the air springs when towing the travel trailer. Unhooked and driving normal, 7psi.
 
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dhay13

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Adding bags provides zero additional towing or payload capacity. Assuming you have a Tradesman 2500 4x4 with 6.4 bed your payload capacity is about 2500 pounds (whereas the similar set up Bighorn has only 2000 pound capacity, so important to know exact numbers on your own door, not some number from an online chart). Subtracting the tongue weight plus your gear of 500 pounds and your shell of 200 pounds equals 1740 leaves you 560 pounds of capacity. With a couple people and a pet, you are maxed out.
Yes, adding airbags masks the problem but I think your payload numbers are on the low side unless I missed something? A 2500 6.4 Tradesman should have closer to 3500lbs payload? Mine has 2973lbs and mine is one of the heavier models with the Off-Road package, full console and bucket seats. The Cummins Tradesman would likely only have about 2500lbs
 

Willie Mosher

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Rear coils spring are different than leaf springs, it tow different as well,
And tune the trailer to the truck,
Make sure your trailer is leveled.
Make sure your truck is level i
 

phreak480

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Here's another vote for airbag helpers in the rear. It's not an air suspension, it just bolsters the existing setup, and when you don't need the boost you air down to 5 psi
 
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