3500's ride

68PowerWagon · Nov 1, 2022

Is the 3500's ride really harsh unless you get the air load leveling? I would like to know about either srw or drw.

JerryETX · Nov 1, 2022

I rode in a Ram 3500 4x4 DRW about a year or so ago and it was rough but I expected it to be so it wasn't anything really bad to me. I've seen other threads on this subject and opinions seem to vary. It's a more rigid suspension to obviously carry more weight so it's going to result in a rougher ride than a 2500. I've heard anything from really not much different to you'll lose a kidney without air bags.

If I needed a 3500 I wouldn't hesitate and would add bags and shocks to help with the ride as needed.

jejb · Nov 1, 2022

The air suspension does not really matter in the 3500 when unloaded. Unless you have something like 600 pounds of load in the bed, it won't move when you hit the "alternate height" button. A 2500 will lower an inch with no load. I thought hard about getting a 3500 and was able to test drive some with and w/o the factory air. Both were noticeably stiffer riding than my 18 2500 with factory air. They would hop over tar strips and get a little squirrely on rough corners. I ended up ordering another 2500 mainly because of that. I don't need the extra payload for what I do.

The air suspension is probably more useful when loaded. If you are getting a 3500 in any case, I'd check that box personally.

stevenP · Nov 1, 2022

I had both a 2500, and a 3500 DRW for a period of time. The 3500 is definitely much harsher ride than 2500. And like jejb, said the bags wont make it softer. I had an airlift bag kit on the 3500, for my at that time larger fifth wheel RV. Airbags helped when it was loaded down with the RV, but otherwise it didnt seem to soften the ride at all.

rule18 · Nov 1, 2022

I drive a 3500 DRW LB Tradesman from time to time for work. The suspension is very stiff and when unloaded, you definitely feel every bump in the road. You can also take turns at 25 mph and not feel one inch of body roll. Win. :happy175:

68PowerWagon · Nov 1, 2022

Thanks for all of the replies. If the railroad workers do go on strike, I think I am going to look for an already built truck. Only about 1/2 of the trucks I see online have the auto level. Just wanting to know if I would kick myself for not getting a truck with it. The one I ordered (back in January)

has it on there. Just need to get it from Mexico!

OC455 · Nov 1, 2022

I don't think it's too bad....not as good as my 1500 was, but it's subjective.

Moose2 · Nov 1, 2022

My 3500 rides like…..well, it rides like a 3500 should.

68PowerWagon · Nov 4, 2022

I realize a 3500 is going to be a stiffer ride than my 2500 but my question is more does the auto level equipped 3500's ride much better than the leaf spring only.
Speaking of my 2500 those coil springs are hard to beat. When I air my tires down to about 55-60 I feel it rides just about as nice as the 1500's. I was surprised when I was test driving both back in 2016.

Scottly · Nov 4, 2022

My 3500 SRW rides rough. So? No body roll, no Cadillac ride like the new station wagon of the millenials, the F1fiddy. It's a truck and it rides like one. Kinda like...Kinda like they all used to.

crash68 · Nov 4, 2022

jejb said:
The air suspension does not really matter in the 3500 when unloaded.

^^^ this
Delivered a 28' 10K lbs trailer with a new '22 3500 CTD (8' bed w/AutoLevel), the truck rode great loaded. Let's just say you know where all the cracks are in the road when unloaded, but then again I usually drive a 1500

jejb · Nov 4, 2022

68PowerWagon said:
I realize a 3500 is going to be a stiffer ride than my 2500 but my question is more does the auto level equipped 3500's ride much better than the leaf spring only.

Unloaded, no.

Dinky · Nov 4, 2022

My 3500 stock did not ride bad at all. I installed a thuren active sway bar and front springs. Night and day different it effects the whole truck I think.

BossHogg · Nov 5, 2022

68PowerWagon said:
I realize a 3500 is going to be a stiffer ride than my 2500 but my question is more does the auto level equipped 3500's ride much better than the leaf spring only.

My 3500 SRW has the factory rear air leveling system and it is awesome. When I'm towing the RV, the Montana fiver I have puts right around 3,000 pounds on the truck and the air suspension makes for a nice and level ride. I can't compare it to a conventional rear suspension since I've not towed heavy with the like. I have experienced a Chevy Duramax 2500 towing heavy.

Unloaded the 3500 basically doesn't have a suspension. The ride quality is directly related to the quality of the roadway. A rear air suspension 3500 well loaded will ride smoother, ride level, and recover from dips faster than a conventional rear suspension system.

Don't get fooled when looking online at dealer yard stock. If you see a 3500 with rear air it is most likely a customer order. This got me when I was looking.

JosephPukala · Nov 5, 2022

I guess I'm used to mine. However, I always have a few hundred pounds of tools and parts in the bed. I always ride with 75-78 psi in the rear. I live in south Florida and I heard that in northern states the roads are worse because of the freezing. I love my truck.

Diller · Nov 7, 2022

I have a 2022 3500 SRW with no air suspension and you can expect it to ride like a truck. Coming from a 2006 DWR the suspension is much better composed but the ride is still on the stiffer side. When loaded, it rides so much smoother than my old 2006. I don't regret going with the 3500 over the 2500 at all. I don't need the extra payload all the time but I do occasionally and love the HO/Aisin combo.

lpennock · Nov 7, 2022

JosephPukala said:
I guess I'm used to mine. However, I always have a few hundred pounds of tools and parts in the bed. I always ride with 75-78 psi in the rear. I live in south Florida and I heard that in northern states the roads are worse because of the freezing. I love my truck.

Biggest improvement to be made on a 3500 with or without air is to set the rear tire pressure for the load. 80psi SRW, 65psi DRW is way too high unloaded. Set to 40-45psi SRW or 35psi DRW for a pretty decent ride. The sticker pressure is for when the truck is carrying full rated GAWR. Nice thing about the 3500 is it doesn't have the low pressure nanny that goes off when you set the proper unloaded pressure.

BTW: proper pressure for the load will also improve the stopping distances and tire wear as there will be full tread contact with the road.

Elkman · Nov 7, 2022

With the bed empty a heavy duty rear sway bar like the Hellwig Bigwig helps a great deal. Any impact to one wheel is shared by the opposite wheel.

DRW is the cheapest way for the factory to add more payload capacity. The alternative is 19.5 wheels and tires. But with SRW one can buy tires with a 3750 lb load capacity providing 7500 lbs minus the weight of the truck in payload capability. With a 20,000 lb 5th wheel trailer that puts 25% of that weight on the bed of the truck a DRW is the simplest solution.

Check on how to change a inner tire on a DRW truck and realize that tire rotation is not going to happen. Depending on the intended use a DRW can be OK with 2WD.

compshooter · Nov 7, 2022

I had a 2014 3500 (no air) and a 2020 3500 with the air suspension. Unloaded they drive the same. Fully loaded the air makes a small difference. Certainly not worth the extra $1700 when I ordered it.

I really contemplated it for a while and decided to try it. It was a waste of money. Even with the air it sits on some leaf springs. So your default no load suspension are those leaf springs.

If you're ordering a new truck, spend your money on other things. If you're choosing between an air and no air 3500, base your decision on other factors. The only time I think it should be a consideration is if you're going to be towing more than just driving unloaded.

Finally, if you want a smoother ride 90% of the time, then just get a 2500.

2021Ram3500 · Nov 7, 2022

My 2021 3500 Regular cab, 4x4, unloaded rides pretty harsh but I expected that when I bought it. I have an aftermarket front bumper with winch that helps the front ride better. Also have 35 inch tires so unloaded the back of the truck is bucking bronco so I aired the rear tires down a lot and it's better that way. After I start adding weight I'll add air pressure if I can find the tires load inflation tables, otherwise I'll just adjust it by feel and using chalk. I wouldn't buy a 3500 unless you really intend to haul a lot of weight, the 2500 would ride better.

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