To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
3,000-lb Capacity. Convert your vehicle's leaf springs into a mechanically active suspension system. RAS adjusts to your load to level your ride. The system also increases stability, handling, and control by improving traction and reducing sway.
Features:
Specs:
All-In-One Suspension System
When towing or hauling a heavy load, you may encounter a number of problems that can make your driving experience difficult or dangerous, such as sway, body roll, or bottoming out. When your vehicle is weighted down, your factory leaf springs can't counteract these problems to the extent that they are supposed to. The weight will overpower the leaf springs and cause them to twist or flatten out. When that happens, they cannot support, level, or stabilize your vehicle effectively. Additionally, because your factory leaf springs are passive, they won't begin to tackle problems such as sway until those problems have already started.
RoadActive Suspension (RAS) kits enhance those passive leaf springs by converting them into a mechanically active, all-in-one suspension system. RAS kits have variable-rated coil tension springs that automatically adjust to your heavy load. Other suspension systems only solve a few problems and usually at the expense of other improvements your factory leaf springs may need. RAS, on the other hand, is a unique kit that provides everything you want in a suspension system without any trade-offs. It eliminates bottoming out like air springs, reduces sway and body roll like sway bars, keeps your ride level like helper springs, and improves traction and braking control like traction bars. This improves your vehicle's stability, handling, and control while you are towing or hauling, as well as when your vehicle is unloaded. RAS also makes your overall driving and towing experience safer and more comfortable, which greatly lessens driver fatigue.
Each RAS unit has a powerful variable-rated coil tension spring that converts your passive leaf spring into a mechanically-active system. Once your vehicle is loaded, the tension springs immediately activate to absorb and support the weight. This allows your leaf springs to maintain their bowed position and keeps them from flattening out or flipping over, which greatly hinders their ability to bear a heavy load. The tension springs are variable-rated, which means that the heavier your load is, the more assistance they provide to your leaf springs. Because of this design, RAS reacts instantaneously, whereas hydraulics, air springs, and other suspension systems take time to react. And unlike your factory leaf springs, RAS stops sway and sag before they even start to happen. Additionally, when your vehicle is unloaded, the tension springs disengage, allowing your leaf springs to perform as intended without hardening your ride. RAS won't hinder your leaf springs' movement, nor will it cause any friction between any of the brackets.
When under a heavy load, leaf springs are especially susceptible to axle wrap, which can cause wheel hop. Wheel hop is when the tires lose their grip on the road, causing a jarring, up-and-down movement. Axle wrap occurs when the circular motion of the tires cause the leaf springs to twist or rotate. If the leaf springs twist far enough, wheel hop can occur. RAS stabilizes your leaf springs by absorbing the force of the load they're trying to support. This eliminates axle wrap and wheel hop, as well as prevents your vehicle from bottoming out. Because of this, less strain is put on your vehicle. And by reducing some of this wear and tear, RAS helps extend the life of your leaf springs, shock absorbers, shackles, and even tires.
When driving along a curve while towing or hauling a heavy load, the back end of your vehicle or trailer can start to shift with that weight. If your factory leaf springs have flattened or twisted under this load, they won't be able to prevent it from shifting. Because of this, your trailer will sway away from your vehicle. This makes driving challenging and dangerous, as it increases the risk of body roll, which is when your vehicle drastically leans to one side. This can often cause you to completely lose control of your vehicle. Body roll is especially prevalent with multi-passenger vans and vehicles towing long campers, trailers, or boats. RAS provides a much safer ride by reinforcing your factory leaf springs and stabilizing your load. This helps prevent sway from occurring and reduces the chance of body roll while cornering, turning, and swerving. RAS also lessens the rocking motion that happens during windy conditions or when a semi passes by on the road.
When your vehicle is overloaded, the bulk of the weight transfers to the rear axle. Your factory leaf springs then become overwhelmed by this weight, as they are not strong enough to support it. This causes the back end of your vehicle to sag and the front end to rise, which means that the front tires have lost some of the grip they need with the road. In addition to loss of traction, it can also cause poor headlight aim, unintentional swerving, and an extremely bumpy and uncomfortable ride. RAS bolsters your factory leaf springs and enables them to provide support for your load without compromising ride quality or comfort. This keeps your ride level from front to back whether you are hauling a load in the bed or towing a boat, trailer, or camper. RAS also ensures that your tires have the traction they require while braking and accelerating, which improves the overall driving experience.
RAS is also customizable. During installation, the coil tension springs can be adjusted to 2 different tension settings or anywhere in between for improved road handling and support. To do this, rotate the springs while keeping the threaded rod still. As you turn the spring, use one of the 2 included spacers as a gauge to measure the widening gaps between the coils. In order for the RAS units to work as intended, you must tension the coils to a minimum of 25 percent with the 1mm white spacer and no more than 40 percent with the 2mm spacer. The springs can also be independently adjusted to compensate for off-center loads such as a handicap lift.
This custom-fit kit comes fully assembled and is easy to install. Each RAS unit simply bolts onto your factory leaf spring with the included hardware, and drilling, welding, and cutting aren't required. First, position the eye hook bracket so that it wraps around the top of the factory leaf spring eye. Then the axle bracket secures under the leaf spring and around the factory U-bolts on the other side of the leaf spring pack. Once the maintenance-free RAS units are fully installed, you won't need to monitor them as you would with air springs.
RAS is extremely durable and corrosion-resistant. The units are constructed of high-grade alloy steel, and they have an epoxy e-coat on the coil springs to provide extreme corrosion resistance. The brackets on the ends of each unit resist the effects of water and other elements, and they have a salt spray rating of more than 800 hours.
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (769 Customer Reviews)
3,000-lb Capacity. Convert your vehicle's leaf springs into a mechanically active suspension system. RAS adjusts to your load to level your ride. The system also increases stability, handling, and control by improving traction and reducing sway.This product has worked well for me. I have used this on previous trucks towing a camper. It helps level out the load on the truck. This product does not work on trucks with top overload springs. Unless you remove the top overload springs. If your vehicle is still under warranty taking off the top overload spring may be a problem. But this product has worked well for me on a half ton truck.
I highly recommend the Roadmaster Active Suspension for your tow vehicle. This is the second kit I've owned. The is no better overload system made. The kit acts like a rear sway bar, traction bar and overload. No more heavy body lean. No more wheel hop. Best part is that when your not towing, you don't feel like the kit is there.
Had these put on 3500 Ram diesel. 8’ box with Northstar Igloo, 14,000 lb total. The overload springs are not ideal for much on truck. With truck camper they are no good. I have put the truck camper away for winter before a easy install. You difinitly need need a full height lift so I to take it in. I set it at 40%, the most. The ride empty with 10 lbs in air shocks is not bad at all, just stiffer I did notice sharp bumps more but is not bad and I am happy. Short box could be different. The truck handles empty way better like on rails no sway in fast corners.kinda fun. If you went with 20% softer setting I do not think it would be noticeable at all for empty, lighter loads, or shorter box. Wish I could of have a loaded review.
installation was very easy took more to remove the tires and jack up the truck than to install the roadmaster, only wished they had said that the 2mm spacer should be used for a 3500 ram hauling a 40 foot 5th wheel but there again I should have figured it out, have not had it on the road yet so will let you know how it tows
I have 04 dodge 2500 ram. This doesn’t does not go on as simply as all the YouTube videos suggest for this yr truck. Did not find out until reading instructions when product arrived. You have to drop rear spring shackles to attach the hook part of the kit. Disappointed in lack of ease.
What an awesome addition to my truck (2017 Ram 3500 DRW). I have yet to haul my fifth wheel with the RAS, but as far as an empty weight ride it really smooth out the truck. I did not let my bride know that I added this system to the truck, she commented on the smooth ride on her first outing in the truck. Allison K. from e-trailer is very awesome, if you call into a trailer ask for her, she will answer all your questions and help you out.
I just got to use it It works great Thanks Ashley for being so helpful
I received this kit in a very timely manner always do from etrailer have some issues with the instructions that come from roadmaster not a trailer the bump stop spacer didn’t say that you need to use the original bolt from the bump stop so it slowed me down greatly on the install however I took it out on a quick run without a load I do feel that this has made the unloaded ride smoother tomorrow I’ll be taking the trailer out for a bit and we’ll see how it works there and I’ll update this rating.
Admitedly, I haven't even rolled my '07 Silverado 2500HD classic out of the garage yet, but I'm already very pleased. I had to go to a neighbor for a 10mm hex key socket and was slowed down by my 7yo kid 'helping', but it was still only 90 minutes my jack stands were in use. Easiest thing to do!
My only small downsides so far:
* needed to find a 10mm hex key that I apparently don't own, not sure why they picked that fastener
* wish I put some loc-tite on; just to make me feel better
* distance to drop the axle so the suspension fully hangs was way further than I expected; barely had my jack stands tall enough to get the job done.
These aren't really bad on the product, just notes for future customers. We're towing the 5er about an hour an a half this coming week, hopefully it steadies up a lot!
I am a competitive shooter and take my camper to all my shoots. I have a cap on my truck and the decked drawer system. I also carry 400 lbs of ammo at any given time. When pulling my camper on the highway or over bumps and railroad tracks it was kinda scary. This system stopped the squat and removed the sag at acceleration. I installed sumo springs as well (without spacer) for added sway control when loaded down with trailer. The RAS was great right from the start. It reminded me of the 80’s then we would put traction bars on old hot rods to stop rear squat on acceleration. Same kind of feel with my truck. Some much nicer. With the trailer it removed 1.5 inches of squat on the rear and got my front and back within 1” of variance and before install it was around 2.5 to 3. Took only fifteen minutes per side to install once the tires were off. Great product….
I bought these after a 1000+ mile trip towing my trailer (~8000# loaded) with my 2013 F-150 (HD Payload & Max Towing Package). Installation was super easy. I did not need to take the tires off. There was plenty of room to get behind the tires and place and adjust the springs. Once installed they definitely give the truck a rake. I didn't measure pre-installation because I didn't expect the lift to be so great. I used the black disc to adjust the springs.
It's not too extreme but you can definitely see a difference compared to stock.
As you can see in the pictures, with the springs the drop with a trailer attached is greatly reduced and the truck sits level. Towing was great. I used a WDH before and being able to with springs only and a sway bar is pretty nice. Drop with trailer attached is only about 2.5 inches (see pics)
Overall, very happy with the product. GMC didn't have any way to improve the truck from squatting when I hooked up my trailer. This kit didn't stop the squatting but significantly reduced the bounce on bad dips in roads, bridge/road transitions and bad railroad crossings.
Straight-forward installation on a 2007 Pleasure way Excel RV (I did it myself in a few hours) although I did have to modify the air bag mounting bracket with a slot to allow RAS hardware to fit. Great installation instructions. Vehicle height is now correct and could be made level by tension adjustment during install. Handing is improved, I was able to remove aftermarket sway bar which improved ride. I have been considering installation of stiffer rear shocks to soften rebound now that the rear spring rate is increased.
Sure beats air bags or blocks! My Gmc canyon diesel is a great puller, needed help with suspension hauling load limit. Easy to install and works great. On high setting it raised the truck rear an inch or two even empty but the way gmc set up the suspension I consider it a good thing.With my tandem axle 16' trailer loaded it's a saving grace.
I own a 2020 F150 raptor, it lacks spring rate in the rear to hold up a lot of weight, other than that it’s a beast Pulling trailers.
Investigated air ride and I discovered It didn’t have the articulation that I needed.
The springs are the fastest way to have additional lift.
I can install them and uninstall them in minutes .
Great product.
I Have had this suspension on multiple trucks and i love it . It takes the sway out of the truck when entering a exit ramp and taking sharp turns with a trailer or without, also reduces wheel hop and increases payload in the bed of the truck.I would recommend for all trucks pulling trailers.
The bed of the truck measured 37.5" with a tool box weighing 200 lbs. The truck felt weighed down with passengers weighing 600lbs. Total weight 800lbs with a tank full of gas. After the install the truck rides smoother and certainly " like new". The stopping distance and acceleration distance have shortened drastically. I'm planning on loading up the bed and the Roadmaster Active Suspension RAS4611. My wife even drive it and she could feel the difference. "It drives like a muscle car." Buy it. Install time at a reputable mechanic shop was a 30 min. Install. I received them today at 1 pm and got it installed at 3:00 pm and finished the install at 3:30pm. It's an investment worth the price over traditional air bag system. Mechanic installed this on 2011 Nissan Titan SV.
I have a 2020 Silverado 1500 6 cyl Duramax with the Diesel Off Road package (3.73 diff). Travel trailer loaded is probably about 6,000 lb. I took several measurements during and after the spring kit installation. All measurements increased about an inch including the stock suspension with trailer and equalizer bars and with the spring kit installed at 1 mm spacing. A one inch improvement overall. I took the truck on a short drive and didn't notice any difference in ride (wasn't stiffer) which is what I wanted. Good to know that I can adjust the springs to the 2 mm spacing if I want to increase the suspension assist. Going camping next week and looking forward to see how it improves handling and porpoising.
I love the product since i have a 2021 toyota tacoma crew cab long bed with a campertop a robber mat and a jack thats around 450 pounds that a have at all times my truck was sittind low a lilbit plus it was swagging on the road i have summo spring to help my suspention but it was not enoght so i did my research but this was my better option i just installed it yerterday july-8-2021 and went for a ride where i ussually drive everyday and WOW now my truck rides very smood plus it lift my tryck 1 inch on the back now my tryck seats level it took me about 2 hrs but i did right i just follow the intructions and done i love the product the only thing that im concern is that the left side underneat the springleaft there is a breik line that is too close to the roadmaster suspention i hope that with the time dont hit that line because if it does thats the line for the breiks and i will be in trouble replacing it other wise evreything works great i recomend it 100% thanks guys i will buy it again?????best $500 that i spend on my truck
I bought this last summer (2022) for my 2020 F150 to haul the travel trailer (summer) and to have the quad in the box (fall) during the hunting season. I mainly used it during the weekends as I work from home during the weekdays. I adjusted the tension just before the winter because I haven't haul anything during winter. As it is now spring, I wanted to adjust back the tension for the rv season and I found everything rusted out (I am.in Canada and use the truck only 2-3 times a week).
I was pleased to use the product back last summer but because of all the rust I found this spring, I'm having a hard time adjusting them and I am also quite scared for next seasons as rust is making adjustments hard.
By having this for less than a year, I am now dissapointed in the product. Before buying this, I looked a lot into airlift a lot but because of reviews, I changed my mind to go with RAS.
Rust is now found on the main threaded rod locking nuts the bolt/tube underneat locking the device was rusted and seized.
Easy install 2011 Tacoma crewcab long bed. Helped with sag when towing microlite travel trailer. Keeps the rear end raised in the rear a little when unloaded, but I like that look. Only complaint and its nothing big when truck is unhooked and empty when i get out I can hear alittle noise from RAS. Sort of like a bedspring coil. Night pic is with RAS installed daylight pic is with out installed
Total transformation! I never knew how bad my ride was until I installed these RoadMaster 3611-HD active suspension. It took longer to safely jack my truck up and remove tires than it was to install them! Absolutely a game changer. I carry about 1000 lbs of tools and supplies daily and like riding a Rollercoaster when hitting bumps. Now, i hit bumps on purpose just to feel these RoadMasters work their magic! Love them!
absolutely did not take 45 minutes to install and still missing a locknut that was not contained in a sealed bag with cardboard box container causing lost parts. Now i have to locate special threaded nut.
I found this items cheaper on another site but etrailer match and then beat the price.
Item installed super easy, more work jacking up the truck and taking the tires off. Can be installed with out removing tires just make it easier to get it in. The item did lift the back of my truck 1 inch. See Pics.
Do you have a question about this Vehicle Suspension?
Info for this part was:
At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.