2019 Ram 3500 Air Bag Recommendation for In-Bed Truck Camper

Published 04/06/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 XL Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle

(265)

$713.99

Air Lift Load Controller Compressor System for Air Helper Springs- Heavy Duty - Dual Path

(176)

$619.99

Question:

Hi, I own an RAM 3500 2019 BigHorn 4x4, Crew Cab, 8 foot bed, Single rear drive with the 6,7L Cummins Diesel Engine. The rear payload for this truck indicates 4580 pounds according to brochure and a GVWR of 12300 pounds according to label on truck left door. I am loading a truck camper Adventurer 901sb of 3000 pounds in the bed. This lowers a little bit the back of the truck and lift the front of the truck accordingly. This provides little unstability when driving. Need also to be carefull for sways in turning on street corner. I am looking to install air spring. The Air Lift Load lifter models suggest 5000 and 7500 pounds models for this truck. Note that I also haul a fishing boat occasionnaly when driving with the camper on the truck. As the truck can manage payload of 4580 pounds and given the experience in driving with these loads, I am hesitating between both models. Does the air spring add to the capacity, ex : 4580 + 5000, or in the case of the 5000 I am only adding 420 pounds too the capacity. What would you recommend or suggest. Also understanding there is a minimal inflate of 5psi, what capacity the 5 psi provides on the 5000 and the 7500 models? Thank you!

asked by: Bruno M

Expert Reply:

Air springs are definitely the right way to go for your 2019 Ram 3500 since they can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of loads.

For your application I recommend going with the Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 XL Air Helper Springs # AL57531 since they have the higher rating. Suspension enhancement products won't increase the weight capacity of your truck though - the rating has more to do with how much weight the system can help to support. You should always be staying within the rating of your OEM suspension as that's what will be the primary support system.

It kind of sounds redundant to go with the higher rating since your truck can't even get to the 5,000 lb weight capacity but with the higher rated system you won't have to fill it up as much so the air bags won't have to work as hard and they will last longer. When you leave just 5 psi in the air bags they won't be supporting anything at all. The 5 psi is literally in there to help keep the bag from collapsing on itself if you hit some sudden deep inclines.

I also recommend checking out the Air Lift Load Controller Compressor System # AL25856 because it gives you a way to monitor and adjust the air bags on the fly. This is a dual path system so you'll be able to adjust the air bags individually in case one side of your truck has a heavier load than the other side.

Attached are some installation videos for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G