To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
2,000-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.
Roadmaster Active 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 (134 Customer Reviews)
2,000-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.The product was very easy to install, and was very happy it didn't effect the ride of the 1/2 ton truck. Looking forward to see how it handles towing my 28ft travel trailer 690798
Robert F - 08/22/2020
I bought this based on I think the same product I bought several years ago for a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. At that time, I bought a kit for for a Ram 2500 and was very impressed. I put a truck camper on the Dodge and I don’t think it settled an inch and when I drove it I hardly knew the camper was back there at all. No sway and no handling problems at all. This time I bought the kit for a Nissan Titan, pulling a 25’ travel trailer (about 7000#). The truck rear still settles and is not in a level attitude in transit without the weight distribution hitch. The suspension kit makes it better but not as much as I expected. 565780
Jim - 10/02/2019I've attached two pictures regarding the items I've recently purchased and installed upon my truck from etrailer.com 610664
Haven't towed or hauled anything heavy with it yet. Unloaded it does help with body roll in turns. The ride is slightly improved as the truck doesn't bounce as much. 519027
Looks great, can’t wait to install them and see how they work. 471755
etrailer has amazing customer service and after talking through a few options for my 2015 Silverado Crewcab shortbed, we decided this product would be the best fit for what I wanted. The RAS comes put together and installs very quickly. It took me longer to get my tools rounded up and the wheels off than to install the RAS. I did set mine to 40% using the thicker gauge for the coils and it appears that added a little height to the back of the truck. No biggie as I planned on leveling blocks later anyway. The ride is definitely firmer and everything the product states about mitigating body roll, bumps and adding traction has held true so far. While I think the product is a little spendy compared to other options, it does more and is well worth the cost. I haven't had a chance to load the bed down yet, but the experience has been very positive unloaded. Thanks etrailer for excellent customer service and great pricing. 542212
We received suspension kit yesterday. My husband installed immediately. It took him a little longer than expected. But he is so happy!!! His Toyota Tundra is driving and handling so differently.... in a good way. We have not hooked up to trailer yet but I'm sure we will be totally happy. Good product! 408485
I installed this kit on a 2017 Nissan Titan and can be installed very easy. The handling on my truck has improved tremendously. I would recommend this product to everyone. 528359
Bill - 06/29/2019ordered on tuesday arrived on friday Free shipping that was fast. Installed on Saturday morning. after I got the truck on the Jackstands took all if 20 minutes to install. haven't towed anything yet going camping this coming weekend will report more, truck rides better unloaded that before, great customer service 508437
Install was effortless I set to 20% have not put under a load yet. purchased for added stability pulling my flat bed trailer with my tractor. body roll is definitely better thank you. 607627
I received the item I ordered on time. Very nice to deal with. I plan to order from etrailer in the future 459351
Roger - 12/11/2018Install was fairly easy, 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. Raised rear of 15 Silverado 1500 1 1/2”. Towed camper 50 miles, much improved. 525890
I installed the Roadmaster suspension kit about 3 weeks ago, and it's working exactly as advertised. Installation was very straightforward (the video was extremely helpful), and I'm very happy with the results. Prior to this, I had about 1 - 1.25 inches of 'squat', now it's 0.25 inches. Great product! 647061
arrived as expected. Extremely easy to install as the spring assemblies were completely assembled. Took longer to take tires on and off than to install spring assemblies. Effect on ride when towing has yet to be determined; I am expecting a big improvement in ride. 569774
I order these on Friday afternoon and I received them Monday afternoon. I had watched the clip on installation before ordering and it looked pretty easy. The installation instructions are very self explanatory and they were easy to install. From the time I starter until I had the tools picked up and put away it was about an hour and that was with taking a few phone calls. My initial ride after installing these was very good. I drove over a fairly rough road and tracks. My real test will come when I hook up to my trailer and load my tractor or car. I may have to readjust to a heavier setting but it is there if needed. 438869
Amazing handling improvement on my 2004 Chevy Silverado, short box, half ton pickup. Changed the feeling from soft to firm and stable. 901931
The best suspension product choice ever! Works as stated. Towing my dual axle, fully loaded trailer (to full really) my truck is level & it’s very easy to pull. Great product 900112
I purchased this Roadmaster product to enhance the suspension of my 2002 Toyota Tundra. The tundra has a soft ride, which makes it comfortable to drive when unloaded, but too squishy with anything in the bed. The Roadmaster set was easy to install and although I have only driven the truck a few miles and unloaded, the ride is vastly improved. 880727
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. 860966
Fast shipping and a breeze to install. I had both sides on in less than 30 minutes. I will be putting them to the test next week when I hook up my 32ft travel trailer. I have already noticed an improved ride quality even with bilstein shocks. These should do everything I was hoping they would. 830052
as promised, stiffens my ride when I'm trailering but absolutely no stiffness while driving as normal. Excellent addition to my Silverado 1500. Pulling about 7500 lbs and the ride was pretty bumpy on some county roads prior to install. Ride is significantly less bumpy now. 825363
I have had these for about a year installed at just a bit tighter than 1mm. I was very skeptical of their claim that they improve the unloaded ride quality, but it really was true. The best way I can describe it is that now the front and rear suspension feels about the same when I hit a bump.... right up until you cause enough travel to include the leaf springs. Then it gets stiff really quickly. This works because when you install the RAS springs, they pull the ends of the leaf pack together almost like the rear suspension is drooping. This creates a bit of suspension travel that is only controlled by the leaf springs on the RAS. The RAS springs are softer than the leaf pack and as long as the bump doesn't exceed that range, the ride is very compliant. I really like it. Ride improvement asside, I actually got this for towing my camper. I had a lot of up/down oscillations at the tongue when fully loaded on the highway. The RAS kit did help but hasn't eliminated it. At the Tampa RV show I spoke to the guy at the booth and he suggested I tighten the springs some more. I will do that before my next trip. I'm curious if that hurts the improved ride quality I have. I've also been told to add better equalizers or shocks to the trailer. I occasionally hear some creaking from them when getting in or out of the truck or when loading the bed. It's nothing I'd ding the rating for, but they're not silent. I never hear anything from them while driving. I live on a dirt road and so far, I've not noticed that cause any issues. Overall, I'm very happy with the product. I always thought the rear suspension was a little jarring unloaded and this smoothed that out while helping my suspension control heavy loads too. It really is the best of both worlds. I'm sure I'll put them on my next truck. 2015 Silverado Z-71 Equalizer 1k/10k WDH 2019 Grand Design Imagine 2600RB 811188
Didn’t hold up at all...can’t hold the weight 798579
Excellent service. Suspension add-ons for 2005 Tundra were new & as described. Shipped & received faster than promised. Price match honored within 24 hours, no issues. Install instructions were clear. Will definitely buy from again. 797180
This was a noticeable improvement the minute I hit the road. Travel Trailer sway was extremely reduced and my 2004 Nissan Titan road better. I had my mechanic install them. He told me it was easy to install except on drivers side because of the built in tool box these pickups came with. Had to pit a small piece of hose around brake line on passenger side so it wouldn’t rub on it. So far it was a great investment. 773634
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.
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.