HELP! Air Ride decision

[Shermdog]

I am in the market to buy a new Ram. I am deciding between the loaded Limited or possibly the Sport. I really think I am leaning to the Sport as the additional cost doesnt seem warranted for my needs.

My concern, I am having a hard time finding a Sport with the options I want with the Air Ride suspension. So, is it worth it? I have tested a Limited with the Air and loved it.

My needs are simple. Not an off road guy. I am a take the kids to the park with mountain bikes, easy campouts, get the kids to school and use the bed for general home improvement tasks.

I have very little desire to mod the truck at this point although I know this might change. So I dont know how the suspension options play into this or how important either set-up becomes.

So assume almost no need to tow or off road. Probably keeping the stock hight with possible mods of wheels and tires at some point. Otherwise, stock.

How important or how big of a factor is the air ride? Worth it? I'd kinda like to lean towards buying the Sport loaded but missing the Air ride over the Limited. But if its a difference maker, and for a daily driver, I want comfort and enjoyment.

Thanks and any help is greatly appreciated. I havent owned a truck since my first car over 22 years ago. Ready to get out of this snob ride I currently lament buying.

Shermdog

 

[RAMAlaska]

My chick has a fancy pants Jeep with the air ride. It's cool in some respects (entry/exit for a four year old is bad ass) and if you aren't offroading its kind of wasted.

That said, the ride is pretty damn smooth...

 

[Burla]

I can't even count how many trucks I've owned, and I have a 2010 coil over suspension no air ride. This truck is amazingly comfortable just the way it is. Just test drive one w/o the air ride and see if it is to your liking. Every ounce of spongy you put into a truck effects your cornering. I think the straight coils are perfect for me, beats all the leafs I've owned by a landslide.

 

[RAMAlaska]

I can't even count how many trucks I've owned, and I have a 2010 coil over suspension no air ride. This truck is amazingly comfortable just the way it is. Just test drive one w/o the air ride and see if it is to your liking. Every ounce of spongy you put into a truck effects your cornering. I think the straight coils are perfect for me, beats all the leafs I've owned by a landslide.

Fully agree!!!

 

[kenwitter]

When I traded up I was given an air ride to test for a few days. I must admit that I loved it. If your truck is a daily driver no excessive loading or suspension moding planned then go for it. Best ride I've ever had in a pickup.

However, I was told by my service guys that it logs overload events in the ECU. Thats the only reason I didn't go for it. I overload regularly.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[TheRudeDog]

The one thing that no one is taking into account are the gas savings you'll accrue as it lowers itself when you reach highway speeds.

 

[Shermdog]

These are all great responses and something to continue the argument.

I will probably not overload the truck so there is no issue there.

I am going to need to drive one without the air ride to see how much it matters.

But, I like the argument that the highway cruising may give a slightly more efficient ride.

Dunno! Gotta keep hearing from you guys with Ram experience.

 

[kenwitter]

The regular suspension with the right tires is awsome for a truck. But it still can't beat the comfort and convenience of the air ride imo.

All that being said keep in mind that this is new technology to Ram. Not sure what, if any, problems might pop up.

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[Chewy]

I bought it because I was interested to see what it's like. I really like it. Rides and handles well and levels itself when loaded which is nice too.

If I was planning on keeping the truck for a long period, I'd buy the coils, but I plan to have it roughly 3 years so I'm not too worried.

 

[Shermdog]

I bought it because I was interested to see what it's like. I really like it. Rides and handles well and levels itself when loaded which is nice too.

If I was planning on keeping the truck for a long period, I'd buy the coils, but I plan to have it roughly 3 years so I'm not too worried.

I think you hit on something I hadn't thought of. I tend to rotate vehicles every 3 years or so.

Thus far, I am leaning back to air ride but sounds like you guys that have the coils arent complaining either.

Now, if I can find a Sport with the options I want to check out....

 

[mgern26]

When i bought my ram it came down to i could have the air ride or the ram boxes (cant have both puts the truck over weight because new york sucks) I decided to go with the air ride and i swear i am not disappointed with my choice. its great for when a little extra clearance is need and is amazing for a parking garage by my office drops the truck down to make clearance a none issue. plus it makes life easier especial when you have a vertically challenged girl in your life. The ride quality is so smooth, My dad still cant get over how nice of a ride my truck has for the size of it.

 

[Chewy]

I have both the RamBox's and the air and I wouldn't give up the boxes for the air, but I really like the air. I'm happy I live in a state where they let you drive trucks like mine.

 

[Sport1429]

I know this is off topic but how are the ram boxes ? worth the cash and loss of bed space ??

 

[fave]

When i bought my ram it came down to i could have the air ride or the ram boxes (cant have both puts the truck over weight because new york sucks) I decided to go with the air ride and i swear i am not disappointed with my choice. its great for when a little extra clearance is need and is amazing for a parking garage by my office drops the truck down to make clearance a none issue. plus it makes life easier especial when you have a vertically challenged girl in your life. The ride quality is so smooth, My dad still cant get over how nice of a ride my truck has for the size of it.

Overweight? Would you need a commercial license for this ?