Which to pick - '22 fully loaded hemi vs diesel with air suspension, like the mpg but worried about air suspension problems

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Megadeth1

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Hi all, new to the forums.

I'll be towing campers and commuting so better MPG is important. Never had a diesel before, I assume it's reliable.
From the limited inventory that's available out there I can either pick the Hemi that has all the bells and whistles like heads up display/digital mirror or go with the Level 2 ecodiesel, which unfortunately has air suspension that I hear fails consistently.

Looking for suggestions before I break the bank. Is the air suspension that unreliable in cold weather?
Both options have the Rambox, which is a must for me. There are a few diesel level 1 options out there but do not provide any savings.

Also curious if anyone in Canada was able to knock anything off MSRP recently.

I'm not in extreme rush as I have my current SUV still.
 

Quick_Shifter

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Hi all, new to the forums.

I'll be towing campers and commuting so better MPG is important. Never had a diesel before, I assume it's reliable.
From the limited inventory that's available out there I can either pick the Hemi that has all the bells and whistles like heads up display/digital mirror or go with the Level 2 ecodiesel, which unfortunately has air suspension that I hear fails consistently.

Looking for suggestions before I break the bank. Is the air suspension that unreliable in cold weather?
Both options have the Rambox, which is a must for me. There are a few diesel level 1 options out there but do not provide any savings.

Also curious if anyone in Canada was able to knock anything off MSRP recently.

I'm not in extreme rush as I have my current SUV still.
The air suspension will give you problems it’s not if, it’s when. Cold weather just speeds up the process.
 

Docwagon1776

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Air suspension is a time bomb. I would never consider a vehicle equipped with one if I intended to keep it past factory warranty, and likely not then.
 

TexasRam1

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I have an ‘18 1500 with 4 corner air. No issues whatsoever, but its a lot warmer here in TX than in Canada.
I also ordered a new 2500 with rear air.
 

CanRebel

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Hi all, new to the forums.

I'll be towing campers and commuting so better MPG is important. Never had a diesel before, I assume it's reliable.
From the limited inventory that's available out there I can either pick the Hemi that has all the bells and whistles like heads up display/digital mirror or go with the Level 2 ecodiesel, which unfortunately has air suspension that I hear fails consistently.

Looking for suggestions before I break the bank. Is the air suspension that unreliable in cold weather?
Both options have the Rambox, which is a must for me. There are a few diesel level 1 options out there but do not provide any savings.

Also curious if anyone in Canada was able to knock anything off MSRP recently.

I'm not in extreme rush as I have my current SUV still.
I have factory air with my 2021 Rebel. It's new, but no issues yet.
Only -20c without wind, so not too cold yet.
 

Ball.inc

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Just traded off my 2015 Laramie Longhorn with air. Was skeptical that would hold up over time but never any issues. Really enjoyed having it and towed with it constantly.
 

mikeru

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The air suspension system on 4th gens was problematic in cold weather. They revised the system for 5th gens, and it seems to be a non-issue now. Plus, air suspension is great when towing as it self-levels the truck.

Having said that...as already mentioned, air suspension systems will eventually fail. If you're planning on keeping this truck for a long time, plan on either paying for repairs or swap it over to coil springs when that day comes. It wasn't enough of a consideration for me, as my truck has air susp. and I love it. I'll deal with any possible problems later if/when they happen. There's no way I'd base my truck buying decision on air suspension, especially if the truck you're looking at checks all the other boxes for you.
 

Bill A

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The air suspension system on 4th gens was problematic in cold weather. They revised the system for 5th gens, and it seems to be a non-issue now. Plus, air suspension is great when towing as it self-levels the truck.

Having said that...as already mentioned, air suspension systems will eventually fail. If you're planning on keeping this truck for a long time, plan on either paying for repairs or swap it over to coil springs when that day comes. It wasn't enough of a consideration for me, as my truck has air susp. and I love it. I'll deal with any possible problems later if/when they happen. There's no way I'd base my truck buying decision on air suspension, especially if the truck you're looking at checks all the other boxes for you.
Ditto on what mikeru said. I also have air suspension on my 2021 Limited Longhorn which has all the other bells and whistles so I purchased an extended warranty for about $2300 bucks for peace of mind. No issues in 11 months and 15000 miles, with about 4,000 towing.
 

runamuck

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for you guys that have factory air suspension..do you add air before or after setting the hitch torsion bars. I just have rear bags and have been adding air before hooking up and then setting the bars. I'm not adding air to level out but to add stiffness to rear end..usually run 20# when towing my 6000# trailer.
 

CanRebel

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for you guys that have factory air suspension..do you add air before or after setting the hitch torsion bars. I just have rear bags and have been adding air before hooking up and then setting the bars. I'm not adding air to level out but to add stiffness to rear end..usually run 20# when towing my 6000# trailer.

Factory 4 corner active air-suspension, is closed system that uses nitrogen
 

SaintlySins

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I had the same concerns you did.

After going to 3 Ram Dealers, walking into the Service Dept (with Donuts), I inquired about the life of the Air Suspension System in trucks that get used lightly or abused like a 30 year old ****** truck.

I came away with;

There are few more problems in the first 200 miles on Air Suspension than standard Shocks ... it's the first 200 miles that test the system and/or shocks and reveal a manufacturing defect.

After that, it's usually abuse and/or a pothole under a heavy load that will blow both a shock and the Air Suspension ... the difference is most that blow the shock will go to a Third Party Shock/Suspension place to get it replaced while the Air Suspension vehicles end up back at the Dealer as many Third Party repair shops aren't/can't fix them.

After that ... it's either miles or age on both the Air Suspension or standard shocks.

I've been driving on shocks and struts my whole life and have faith in them, but this made all the sense to me. So I rented a truck with Air Suspension for a week ... put it though it's paces and LOVED IT.

I went with the Air Suspension.

Hope that helps.
 
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Megadeth1

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I decided to go with the factory order special Hemi Sport. The package is supposed to have the least delays. Test drove a fully loaded Rebel today and realized that I dont need the bells and whistles or the Rambox. Will save 12k and still get a Sport with level 2 features - in 12 weeks supposedly.
Reddit seems to be heavily against the Ecodiesel experience.
 

runamuck

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well, what I meant was do you level out before or after setting torsion bars.
thanx
 

stormcom

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You can always replace the rear bags with Firestone heavy duty bags. My extended warranty covers the air suspension so I am good for 150k. I believe there have been great improvements in the bags over the years.
 

andymax

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It is outlined in the manual more specifically, but you turn it off. Hook up. Turn it on.

Extra nice with my new trailer and no bars. Lower turck, hook up, raise truck, leave lol
So, are you saying that you are towing a trailer that normally requires a WDH, but because you have air suspension that now you no longer require the WDH and simply use the air suspension to level the truck and you're good to go?

Oh, and to the OP...I put 229K miles on my last air suspension with zero issues. I live in central Ohio, so I had less of a cold-weather concern as you, however once you tow with it you'll love it. Also, side benefits are maintenance...no jacks for oil changes, etc, and the added off-road/deep snow abilities. I'd also point out that air suspension systems have been in use for decades with relatively few issues, as they are simple systems.
 
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NotSoFast

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Another factor to consider is the tranny. The 8 speed tranny that goes with the ecodiesel. It has an extra option: in addition to 2WD and 4WD and 4Low, it has AWD. This is wonderful for patchy snow and slush. I wish it was more available for other rigs.
 

McDigger

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I pulled 3500# 2 horse BP trailer plus 2 1000# horse with 2016 1500 Longhorn 4 Corner Air Suspension 3.92 gear. No tail down on truck like others without it. Air suspension compensates for tongue weight. Air suspension on my 21 1500 Longhorn is nicer yet. The new Eco-Diesel is much improved. But for the additional cost, can buy quite a few more options on pricing one with the 5.7.
 

airrecon

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Hi all, new to the forums.

I'll be towing campers and commuting so better MPG is important. Never had a diesel before, I assume it's reliable.
From the limited inventory that's available out there I can either pick the Hemi that has all the bells and whistles like heads up display/digital mirror or go with the Level 2 ecodiesel, which unfortunately has air suspension that I hear fails consistently.

Looking for suggestions before I break the bank. Is the air suspension that unreliable in cold weather?
Both options have the Rambox, which is a must for me. There are a few diesel level 1 options out there but do not provide any savings.

Also curious if anyone in Canada was able to knock anything off MSRP recently.

I'm not in extreme rush as I have my current SUV still.
I have a Ram 1500 Longhorn (2019) with air suspension. I love it, just like Ram boxes would not ever be without it. I have a 35 ft travel trailer and to hook up I just back up, lower it, hook up, raise it and it auto levels and I'm on the road. I do use two sway bars sine I do not need the hated leveling bars. I do have a Hemi, saw no reason to pay for diesel and add cow *** ever so often. I live and travel in the Rockies and an climb all the mountains without losing speed. I know diesel owners will differ with me, but that is OK. My previous Ram did not have air suspension and that is why I traded it in. Believe me, you will never regret it. And cold weather does not matter
 
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