Rear suspension help for my 2023 RAM 1500

[Ram Air Rick 23]

I have a 2023 RAM 1500 Bighorn crew cab with a 5.7 HEMI - etorque and 8 speed automatic. It's approaching 30 K miles and has been trouble free, with the exception of a (born with) flawed turn signal switch, which was replaced under warranty. I'd say while I don't tow an enclosed trailer and car often, a good 6k of those miles has been towing.

I'm seeking advise on the need and if so needed, recommendations for something to supplement the rear suspension so it doesn't sag when towing. It does have an Anderson load distribution hitch which works very well.

I'm attaching a few pictures of the stance when I last towed the trailer and car over this last weekend. The car trailer is sitting level but the rear end of the bed squats some. I will say that I had probably 600 lbs in the bed, and 200 lbs in the rear seat area. Do you think this is something thay needs attention? I will say it drives extremely nice with the load and loaded car trailer behind.

I've seen a couple of different spring helpers. One style is air bags, and if I got this right, the other style is a different type of bolt on cushion, which bolts on to the stock cushions location?

Anyhow, any advise and/or brand/model recommendations would be appreciated.

Rick

 

[Ram Air Rick 23]

I have a 2023 RAM 1500 Bighorn crew cab with a 5.7 HEMI - etorque and 8 speed automatic. It's approaching 30 K miles and has been trouble free, with the exception of a (born with) flawed turn signal switch, which was replaced under warranty. I'd say while I don't tow an enclosed trailer and car often, a good 6k of those miles has been towing.

I'm seeking advise on the need and if so needed, recommendations for something to supplement the rear suspension so it doesn't sag when towing. It does have an Anderson load distribution hitch which works very well.

I'm attaching a few pictures of the stance when I last towed the trailer and car over this last weekend. The car trailer is sitting level but the rear end of the bed squats some. I will say that I had probably 600 lbs in the bed, and 200 lbs in the rear seat area. Do you think this is something thay needs attention? I will say it drives extremely nice with the load and loaded car trailer behind.

I've seen a couple of different spring helpers. One style is air bags, and if I got this right, the other style is a different type of bolt on cushion, which bolts on to the stock cushions location?

Anyhow, any advise and/or brand/model recommendations would be appreciated.

Rick

 

[DanAR]

Pictures?

 

[rzr6-4]

I've seen a few posts like this lately, I really do not understand people being afraid of a little squat when they are loaded. It's designed to do that, and as long as you're not super overloaded it won't hurt anything. I've pulled loads where my headlights might as well been off because I was squatted so much the beams weren't hitting the ground, the rear being an inch lower than the front would be the least of my concerns.

You forgot the pics, if we see them and it is bad then maybe but with only 800lb total payload I highly doubt it's an issue.

 

[crash68]

Anyhow, any advise and/or brand/model recommendations would be appreciated.

Airlift makes a bag within the coil (Airlift 1000) for lighter duty use, then there are the AirLift 5000 which are axle to frame style airbags. Depending on how much you going to use them, the 5000 might be the way to go if you use them a lot. You can also get a wireless controlled compressor to inflate either style.

Air Lift Company

Air suspension kits and air ride suspension kits (also called air bags or air springs) from Air Lift help with towing and hauling with safety and comfort.

www.airliftcompany.com

There are also solid block style (Timbren/SumoSpring) that doesn't require a compressor and are "less maintenance" but the downside is under light or no load conditions you can feel when the suspension makes contact with the block.

The car trailer is sitting level but the rear end of the bed squats some.

The best way to determine if the WDH is set up correctly is to weigh the truck/trailer on a CAT scale. You'll want to weigh the combo together fully loaded then drop the trailer and weigh just the truck. This will give you all the numbers needed to determine tongue percentage and if the WDH is adjusted correctly. On the truck you want about 10% tongue weight, the front axle weight the same as when the trailer isn't connected and the rear axle to weigh more than the front axle.
Just because the truck/ trailer is level doesn't mean it's correct.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Airlift 5000

 

[Ram Air Rick 23]

 

[Ram Air Rick 23]

Hey guys...

Thank you for looking at and contributing to, the post.
I tried several times yesterday to attach a picture and just couldn't get it to work.
There will be times upcoming where they'll be more overall load on/in the RAM and trailer. A for instance is this picture is less the occupants (two) but I have done this with four people and their luggage too.

Part of this is to find out what and if I need to do anything....

Thanks...

Rick

 

[turkeybird56]

How much does the Trailer? WEIGH?
What exactly is in the trailer?
What is the weight of the items in the trailer?
What is the weight of the trailer empty?
How much heavy stuff do you have in the bed of the truck?
Any extra stuff in the chair besides whatever you’re pulling?

Gonna need these questions answered.

 

[crash68]

A for instance is this picture is less the occupants (two) but I have done this with four people and their luggage too.

Even with the soft rear ends Ram trucks have, that truck has too much tongue weight, and an improperly adjusted WDH. Even using air bags to level the truck out, if the trailer isn't loaded correctly and the WDH adjusted properly, that trailer will push that truck around.
This is an excellent video of showing the effects of air bags vs a WDH and why proper set up is important

The Difference Between Using Weight Distribution and Air Bags to Level Your Load

Fastway engineers Jason Harper and Matt Barnes investigate the difference between using either a rear axle air bag system, or a weight distribution hitch to ...

youtu.be