air suspension aftermarket replacement recommendation

offersjr · Sep 30, 2023

I have 2013 ram 1500 2WD where the air suspension is failing intermittently. not sure what parts, but if I keep air suspension, what would be a good aftermarket replacement? my use case is towing a travel trailer camper. I need good quality, good bang for buck, good warranty and good customer service from the manufacturer.

I have looked at arnott, dorman, and others. would I need to get the compressor valve block to match the air springs of the aftermarket manufacturer, or is all of this compatible/interchangeable?

VQRatman · Feb 24, 2024

Wow, I wish someone was able to answer this. It's a good question - I'm looking at the same, for same reasons (towing a TT, with intermittently reliable air suspension). I've got a 2016 RAM Laramie 1500 4WD with the 5.7, towing a 7,000# TT. Are you planning to change the compressor and valve block yourself (DIY)? I can't find any info about that, either. Still looking...

tron67j · Feb 24, 2024

Many people have sought to eliminate the air bags, if you search on this forum you will find pages of recommendations to replace and eliminate bags.

You should be able to tow just fine without the bags inflated, so really no reason to spend the money if you don't want to. Your payload capacity is based on your springs, etc. Airbags do not add to your towing capacity. If your truck sags with the bags not inflated you're maxed or over on your rear axle weight, probably over in total payload.

Macklin · Feb 25, 2024

I decided to delete the air suspension system completely after getting nickel and dimed trying to fix it. Went with Air Delete with the 30 pct heavier rear and 2” lift on the front. Love it! Haven’t towed the boat yet, but did haul a pallet of sod that probably weighed about 1000 pounds. Truck didn’t flinch.

zrock · Feb 25, 2024

tron67j said:
Many people have sought to eliminate the air bags, if you search on this forum you will find pages of recommendations to replace and eliminate bags.

You should be able to tow just fine without the bags inflated, so really no reason to spend the money if you don't want to. Your payload capacity is based on your springs, etc. Airbags do not add to your towing capacity. If your truck sags with the bags not inflated you're maxed or over on your rear axle weight, probably over in total payload.

you should really understand the system before you post up a comment. Air suspension trucks do not have springs they ride on airbags so if his system is acting up and the bags are not inflating he is riding on the bump stops especially if he is pulling a trailer. Good way for him to cause damage to his truck and possibly cause a accident.

Back to the OP i doubt there is a aftermarket system that would be compatible with the OEM computers and pumps. You would be better off if you really want to replace the air system with something better is get a stand alone system and install it. As stated above most of us del the air system and go back to coils, i did the delete and the only thing i would have changed is ordered a kit that has a leveling kit with it. Once i deleted i found the truck had way to much rake on it so i had to order 1.5 inch leveling struts, do not use leveling spacers as they are just a bandaid and create issues. Im quite happy with the delete and do not really notice a difference in ride quality. I had planned on doing the delete when i purchased the truck from the dealer as it was sitting on the bumpstops, but i got such a good deal on the truck during covid that i could not say no...LOL

T. Anders · Feb 26, 2024

I ripped out my air suspension about two years ago with a Bilstein kit from AirDelete. It was the best move I've made. I no longer need to worry about coming out on a cold morning and finding the truck on the bumpstops.

CanuckRam1313 · Feb 26, 2024

Macklin said:
I decided to delete the air suspension system completely after getting nickel and dimed trying to fix it. Went with Air Delete with the 30 pct heavier rear and 2” lift on the front. Love it! Haven’t towed the boat yet, but did haul a pallet of sod that probably weighed about 1000 pounds. Truck didn’t flinch.

This ^^^
Air Delete!

mrack · Feb 26, 2024

Or you can source the parts yourself and do it even cheaper then airdelete using whatever brand or setup you prefer.

DA67Goatman · Feb 27, 2024

I went through all the effort to install a system from Accuair and will advise against that. The problem I found with aftermarket companies is the need to overcomplicate their system to offer a bunch of "features" that no one needs or wants in order to justify the ludicrous cost. If you want a good enough setup, I recommend the airlift Load Control Compact compressor with a dual fill Load Control 2 gauge unit. The downside is it's a full manual system but it isn't overly complicated. You can re-use the rear bags from the Ram system and replace the front struts with conventional coilovers or get 2 of the gauges and run full manual 4 corner air.

Shawn Burns · Feb 29, 2024

T. Anders said:
I ripped out my air suspension about two years ago with a Bilstein kit from AirDelete. It was the best move I've made. I no longer need to worry about coming out on a cold morning and finding the truck on the bumpstops.

This is my plan if/when my system fails. So far I've been able to keep the cold morning phenonmenon from happening with brake line antifreeze.

I am hoping that the air system doesn't fail. Boy, is it convenient backing up to a trailer!

Jonnyquest69 · Mar 1, 2024

I just replaced all four of mine with TRQ aftermarket air shocks. They look pretty much identical to the oem shocks. 3 of my shocks were still good but one of the rears was leaking, so I kept the other 3 for spares. I think I paid around 850 for the TRQs. I had bought a new compressor from Arnott last year when I thought the compressor was bad, but it turned out to just be the 40 amp fuse. So I still have a new unused compressor as a spare. I did find one spot on the rear where the air line rubbed against a heavily taped wire harness and it wore through the line causing a small leak. I'd like to get some spare line and quick connects just in case I get another break or crack in the line, but I'm not sure if it's 6mm or 1/4 inch tubing. Anyway, the TRQ shocks have been in for about a month and work just fine so far.

Edit 1 - Just found a leak in one of the front shocks and had to reinstall one of my originals. I'll contact TRQ and see how their customer service is....

air suspension aftermarket replacement recommendation

offersjr

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VQRatman

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tron67j

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Macklin

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zrock

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T. Anders

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CanuckRam1313

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mrack

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DA67Goatman

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Shawn Burns

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Jonnyquest69

Junior Member

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