Can Suspension Enhancement and Weight Distribution Both Be Used on 2018 Ram 2500

Question

Question:

A little confused now. One of your experts states not to use airbags when towing a trailer just use your weight distribution hitch while the other states to use them. You can put an aftermarket air bag system on the truck and deflate it to a minimal level when not towing to get a more comfortable ride. You could then inflate it to help when the truck is placed under a heavier load such as when towing or carrying cargo. I too am getting ready to order a 2500 Ram and was going to install the Firestone airbag system and controller. Then I read about weight distribution hitches etc. I will have both so please explain again if using both systems is OK. I am thinking on using the equal-i-zer hitch with the firestone system to take up the squat of the truck back to level. My trailer is a Outdoors RV Blackstone with a max trailer weight of 11000 lbs. Their will be a few times when I have the four wheeler in the bed also. 1000 lbs and then add the 1400 lbs or less of the tongue weight. etc. So.... Am I on the right track? Or do I go with the leaf spring set up of a Ram 3500?

asked by: Doug

0

Expert Reply:

There is no real issue with using both an air spring suspension enhancement system and a weight distribution system on your 2018 Ram 2500. In fact for your particular application, where you will be loading some pretty heavy cargo into the truck bed at times, this is probably the way to go.

When you see a weight distribution system recommended over suspension enhancement for a vehicle, this is typically because the load that is causing rear sag on the vehicle is coming from a trailer. When rear sag is the result of a hooked up trailer, and not from a heavy load in the truck itself (such as a four wheeler in the bed), a weight distribution system is simply a better and more effective option. A properly rated system should also eliminate the need for additional suspension enhancement (when dealing with trailer tongue weight), so it's usually the most efficient solution as well.

With all of that being said, there are times when both a weight distribution system and suspension enhancement like air bags will be beneficial. When you are going to be dealing with a combination of heavy cargo in the truck bed and tongue weight from a trailer, sometimes together and sometimes separately, using both systems is a really good idea.

For an air spring kit that is confirmed to fit the 2018 Ram 2500, I recommend taking a look at the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 # AL88289. These 5,000 pound capacity springs will help to reduce strain on the truck's rear suspension and can be adjusted from 5 psi to 100 psi depending on your load. Adding a compressor system like # AL25856 is a great idea so you can control the air pressure from the cab of your Ram.

I have included a short video demonstration on this air spring system that you can check out.

Then, when picking out a weight distribution system, the most important factor to consider is the total tongue weight of your setup. This number includes the loaded tongue weight of the trailer (as if loaded and ready for a trip), along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of the truck. Ideally, this number will fall near the middle of the operating range for the system you choose. Using a tongue weight scale like the etrailer # e99044 is the most accurate method for determining your trailer's loaded tongue weight.

You mentioned that your Blackstone Trailer has a maximum weight of 11,000 pounds. A trailer's tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of its loaded weight, so we can estimate a loaded tongue weight of around 1,100 to 1,650 pounds. The highest rated Equal-i-zer system, part # EQ37140ET, features a tongue weight capacity range of 1,000 to 1,400 pounds. If your total tongue weight stays below this limit, then this system will work nicely. Otherwise you may need to move to a more heavy-duty system like the Reese Strait-Line # RP66075, which has a tongue weight capacity of 1,000 pounds to 1,700 pounds and is designed for 2-1/2 inch hitch receivers.

I have attached a great article on weight distribution that you might also find helpful.