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Earlier this year we purchased a 2016 Ram 3500 dually without an air suspension system. We are thinking about adding an aftermarket Firestone lift kit with compressor. Has anyone added an aftermarket system, and if so, what model - and what were the results?
Excellent results. Makes it possible to level the truck when loaded and also to return the truck to factory suspension support when lightly loaded for a better ride.
Airlift makes a nice system and I've used them. Allows remote operation from the cab which is a very nice feature.
There's some threads concerning this that aren't too old you could search out, but those of us who have used them we seem to say they are a good idea. I wouldn't have a truck without them pulling a 5er of any size / pin weight.
Factory ones are fine as well, but too late for that option now.
I just had the same system installed. The onboard compressor is very handy (I got the remote control). My remote has several memory settings, I just use two of them (1) 10 psi when not towing (2) 55 psi when towing. That 55 psi is only for my trailer and truck combo, but it is nice to stand beside your trailer with a tape measure and push a button until it levels. After you do that once, just set the memory and each time you hook up, just press the memory button and in short order you are level and ready to go. Too easy.
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
FWIW…I've been told by several folks who install these that they would install whatever I asked them to but recommended the Airlift vice the Firestone. They do make the truck ride level.
You don't really need the option that lets you inflate the two sides differently…all the weight is on the kingpin which is in the middle of the bed on the hitch so the pin weight gets equally distributed to the two sides.
Whether you get the in-cab remote operation option really depends on how often you want to change the pressure. On our F450…we only drove it when towing and just occasionally otherwise…so it stayed inflated the whole travel season although it did ride harder when solo. If you're going to use the truck as your daily driver as well…then I would recommend the in-cab option so you can reduce the pressure when not towing. Otherwise you've got to get out an air compressor to pump them up.
When we got ours put on…there were two options…dual side and in-cab…the latter includes the compressor and the former was only available if you had the latter and it's compressor.
Cost was like $600 plus install…less than a grand total IIRC.
The LinkAir full air suspension on our new 5500HD (and Bill's as well) is way nicer. Rides the same whether towing or not pretty much and is auto adjusting. Nice.
Honestly, there's not much to chose between them (AirLift vs Firestone). My air bag system is sold as "Firestone", but the compressor and remote control are both clearly labeled "AirLift" ... the heat shields, mounting hardware and air lines are pretty generic. Truthfully, it's just packaging of piece parts and I believe Firestone is the bag manufacturer for both. My installer told me there was no difference, other than price. Which is also pretty close to a wash ... with the Firestone system being slightly more expensive. An air bag system really isn't a highly differentiated product. Either one is fine and will serve you equally well.
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 18th of September 2016 10:04:23 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Sunday 18th of September 2016 10:06:24 PM
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
For others seriously consider the factory system. Ours has been flawless for 25K and 1.5 years. Full rear axle load on rear in pic. Rides good solo and loaded.
If I may answer a question that wasn't asked: Are Air Suspension systems - i.e. Air Bags "necessary."
With a heavy trailer's pin weight running the rear axle up to or close to its maximum rated capacity - RAWR - without "air bags" it means the truck will ride lower in the rear and - here's the point - closer to the "bump stops."
At max capacity there is less vertical down travel left on the truck springs. There are bump stops - i.e. pretty hard stop points on the suspension - to keep from exceeding the vertical downward travel. That is why they are called "stops." In this condition if the truck hits a really good bump on the road - like an uneven bridge to road joint - the truck and moreover the trailer can take a really bad hit when the bump stops come into play on the bump rebound. Under a worse case condition one could break a frame on the trailer or possibly crack a side wall - especially the one by the bedroom slide.
With air-bags, properly inflated for the load, the suspension full vertical travel distance downward is preserved thus far better assuring the truck suspension won't hit the bump stops and also better protecting the trailer's frame, etc.
Totally worth the money on any truck with a 5er, IMO. So yes, IMO, they are necessary.
(Yes, air ride pin boxes help and are an excellent addition as well. But that doesn't change the need for air-bags with a 5er, IMO.)
