Air Bag Recommendation for 2013 Ram 1500 with Weight Distribution System for Towing

Question

Question:

I have a 2013 Ram 1500 with 305/55-20 10ply tires and pull a 28ft camper with a hitch weight of #600. I currently use a WDH and it does well but I want to add air bags to level it out better. The hitch is set up about as good as it can be. I don’t need to increase my payload ability much. What airbags would you recommend for this? I was considering the Airlift 1000hd and the wireless compressor. The 5000 seem like overkill but I’m not to familiar with these systems. Also, can I still use the WDH with the air bags or should just add a sway control?

asked by: Jacob L

0

Expert Reply:

I highly recommend going with the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 air helper springs over the 1000HD option because the air springs that mount inside the coil springs tend to not perform as well as the air bags that replace the bump stops. This is actually the case across the board with any suspension enhancement regardless of the manufacturer. So as long as you have at least 8-1/8" between your frame and the jounce bumper strike plate I recommend using the kit # AL88365.

The other thing to keep in mind is that you can adjust the amount of air these have in them so even if the kit is rated well above what you're needing you can still reduce the air bags to 5 psi which basically gives you your factory ride and keeps the bags from pinching when you hit a bump.

The Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs # AL25980 is a great option for a wireless compressor kit because it was designed around the air bag kit above and it keeps you from having to route a controller into your cab. I have attached installation instructions as well as a video of the compressor kit being installed on a 2012 Ram 1500 that you can reference.

Most weight distribution (WD) systems allow the use of an air bag kit and it highlights in the instructions how to set up your system while using an air bag kit (typically inflate the air bags then install the WD system). If you have a WD system that we carry just let me know what it is and I can see about specific instructions.

One other thing to note is that your WD system needs to have a tongue weight (TW) range that the loaded TW of your trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your Ram falls in the middle of. If this is the case then your WD system is properly rated. If your weights exceed the TW range then you should be able to upgrade your WD system to something like the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET which will likely eliminate the need for an air bag kit.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

The best air bag suspension enhancement for your 2020 Ram 1500 4x4 are the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs #AL57375. These are the best for your Ram because they have the highest capacity at 5,000 lbs and do not either replace your coil…

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Answer 2

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 3

It sounds like the purpose of getting the air helper spring would be to counteract the 1 inch compression you're getting in your rear suspension caused by the pin weight of your 5th wheel. If that's the case, I believe that the AirLift 5000…

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Answer 4

There's not many differences between the Air Lift WirelessONE item #AL25980EZ and item #AL25980. The main difference is that the item #AL25980EZ has a slightly higher CFM at 1.03 compared to 0.92 and it runs slightly more efficient at 9% over 15%…

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Answer 5

The Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System #AL25980EZ and Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System #AL25980 are nearly identical with only some very minor differences in CFM and duty cycle ratings. The #AL25980EZ will also come with an easier mounting…

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Answer 6

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 7

I recommend going with the Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 XL Ultimate Air Helper Springs #AL89DQ for hauling around an in-bed camper with your 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty. I really like this kit because it has the higher 7,500 lb rating (which you don't…

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Answer 8

The best air bag kit for your 2022 Ford F-350 that has a single rear wheel axle is the part #F95FV which has the 5,000 lb capacity you are wanting. Firestone bags are superior Air Lift bags. The ply rating of the rubber is higher, the attachment to…

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Answer 9

There are a number of differences between the Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs #F2445 and Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs #AL88299, starting with fit. While the Air Lift will fit all models of the 2018 Toyota Tundra, the…

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Answer 10

Hey Richard, thanks for reaching out! The Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 XL Air Helper Springs #AL57541 does take up the same space as the Curt 19419346 5th wheel bracket kit for your 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The only way to remedy this is to use the…

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Answer 11

Since the pin weight of your camper is 2.1k, I recommend going with the LoadLifter 5000 opposed to the 7500. While technically there is not reason you couldn't use the 7500 kit, it really is not necessary for a camper like yours. Generally the…

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Answer 12

Hi Mike, good question so I checked directly with Firestone for you and can verify that yes, the Ride-Rite air springs you asked about do fit the 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 ZR2. The correct part number is the following: - Firestone Ride-Rite Air…

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