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3,000-lb Capacity. Convert your GMC Sierra'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.
RoadActive 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 (84 Customer Reviews)
3,000-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.
I have had this suspension upgrade on my last two Silverado trucks. I will not own a 1500 without installing one. Truck no longer squats under load and enhances ride stability. Installed myself in under an hour.
The system was very easy to install. The enclosed picture directions partnered with the video was clear. The system eliminated the truck squat from pulling a trailer.
It helped while pulling the camper however not to the level I was wanting I ended converting to airbags and that has worked extremely well
Easy installation directions were easy to follow
To be honest I can’t tell any difference once the trailer is hooked up. I actually think I get more sag now then I did a year ago before I had it. It does being up the rear while unloaded which was positive for me from an aesthetic point of view. I almost thing I would need to pair them with a set of sumo springs or something similar also.
Working fine no issues with it. easy install just the right amount of help for my application. In the past I’ve used air bags and they work great , my son mentioned these as an alternative so I thought I would try them out, they don’t offer the flexibility of adjusting to different conditions as much and as fast as air but for myself at this point I don’t need it .
I am pleased with the ride and stability I received from the RAS system. I was a little apprehensive at first, but after a few miles, I could really tell the difference. I pull a travel trailer and drive about 600 hundred miles daily, so having a smooth ride makes it much easier. I would highly recommend these for anyone with a half-ton pickup and towing a heavy trailer.
Had the RAS system installed, both sides, in approximately 2 hours. Took it for a test drive and was pleased with the results so far. I will be pulling the livestock trailer with calves in it this weekend so that will be the real test. A load that can move around while going down the road should test the system more than anything else.
For sure beefed up the suspension on my 2001 Silverado 1500. Would purchase again.
Received this part just a short few days after ordering and installation was fairly straightforward. You can do the install using only the enclosed instructions however I found the videos of the installs on both the eTrailer and RAS sites to be more helpful. It doesn't take all that long if you have the right tools (see video). I've read people commenting about a 15 minute job. I like to take my time and double check everything so it took me about an hour and half. Still not bad.
I like the product, but please be aware that it will raise the rear of your truck by 1-1.25 inches if you install this product. Just FYI, most trucks already have a 2-2.25 inch difference in front and rear height, so either you will have a 3+ inch rake to your truck, or you will need a leveling kit
Kasey
12/31/2022
It was corroding so severely that I removed it from my vehicle, and it is lying in the corner of the garage waiting for the next trip to the metal recyclingcenter
Everything you read, even from the maker says tbis removes the sag from towing. It does not! Honestly, a waste of almost $[XX] as the sag was exactly the same after install as before install and I bought the HD set.
Worked great easy to install
Easy install and great customer service. 2021 Chevy 1500 diesel short bed. Thank you.
Quick ship, easy install, 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 LTD, took all of 45 minutes.
Yet to test out how they will perform
I would absolutely recommend these to anyone with a 1/2 ton truck or less. They work flawlessly and are very easy to install (I did them by myself in the driveway) I tow a 6K pound trailer and load an 800lb atv and all the gear to go with it in the back of the truck. Does it sag? absolutely. But nowhere near as bad as it would be without the RAS installed. If you are on the fence about getting these, I would take this review as a push over the edge to pull to that trigger.
Pretty impressed. It lifted my 1500HD about 2" and stiffen up rear. Have alot less porous hitting bumps. Bought HD springs and maxed it. Doesn't seem affect it unloaded. I tow 34' bumper pull trailer and does great!
These are incredible! Easy to install and even at the max 20% tension the ride has not suffered at all. I forget they are there mkst times.
Well made product a snap to install believe product will deliver as promised
I've had the RAS for over a year now and am very pleased with it. I pull a 28' Airstream trailer with a GMC 1500. I have plenty of power but the 950 lb tongue weight was a little much for the leaf springs. I'm now able to level the truck and trailer and not put so much tension on the Equalizer Hitch. FYI, I've taken the rig over the scales and I haven't overloaded the rear axle, this was only added to give some extra support for the springs and eliminate the sag. Easy install. I would recommend this to anyone in the same situation I was in.
My husband said they were easy to install and give you the added suspension you need without added leaf springs
Installation was easy. We set it up with the stiffest adjustment recommended. Raised the truck approximately 1 1/4". We pull a travel trailer weighing 7000-7500lbs. Also, installed the timbrens to help absorb some bounce when pulling the camper. Together, they seem to do a good job.
Not very impressed with the performance. Popping noise when going over speed bumps. sounds like spring or bracket shifting
Really helped my GMC Sierra 1500 with squat. Completely level with 9000k pound boat behind it.
This system is absolutely amazing my truck rides better than it ever has and now when I tow my cargo trailer my truck is level instead of sagging in the rear
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Katrina B.
5/16/2023
So, I have looked a bit more into this, and have found that these are not the best for sag, they are designed to be best for handling and sway. You will need to make sure that you are on the right setting. You can check that out by looking at page 4 of the installation instructions. If you need something to assist with sag more than sway or handling, you can definitely use some SumoSprings, like part # SS45FR, along with the RoadActive, part # RAS54FR. They will both fit and will work well to reduce the sagging while loaded. You will want to start with the lowest setting on the RAS system and go up from there, depending on your comfort.