Comparing Air Kit w Active Suspension Enhancement

Published 06/28/2022

Products Featured in This Question

RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit

(544)

$539.00

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1514)

$503.99

Question:

Hello, I have a 97 Dodge Ram 2500 and I use it to haul a motorcycle to race tracks, which gets loaded on the passenger side. This causes a lean to one side of about 3/4inch which is not desirable, especially for long highway trips. The bike weighs around 500 pounds and is loaded in the van almost 100 of the time, even while parked at home. I am considering an air bag kit, although unsure if this is the proper application. I also see you sell a suspension enhancement kit, but its alluded to as a back brace, Is hauling an extra 500 pounds too much? If I were to haul two bikes, would the active suspension still hold up 1000lbs + van? What would you recommend for 500/1000 lbs additional rear suspension, with one side being the primary load side?

asked by: Dan

Helpful Expert Reply:

My understanding from your described situation, I recommend an air bag system for your 1997 Dodge 2500 Van. Both options will greatly improve your ride quality for the situation you described but the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers, # AL88105, have the advantage of easier adjustability once installed. You will better be able to adjust increasing your payload from no bike to one bike to two. Adjustability of off-center load when hauling just the one bike loaded to the passenger side of your cargo area.

The RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit, # RAS4612-DV is also a great suspension option and will be able to independently be adjusted for side-to-side leveling of off-center loads. However, this system is best suited for loads that are permanent/semi-permanent such as adding a tool chest, bolted in tools such as welder etc. or on trucks to setup towing a 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer.

expert reply by: Michael R